Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Hey,<br /><br />I need to cut two perfectly straight and clean lines through 48" of 1/4" thick acrylic (not lexan). What's the best way?<br /><br />I was thinking clamping a straightedge to the acrylic as a guide then running the jigsaw slowly down it with a fine blade. This is too thick to cut with a knife right? This piece was $40 so I don't need it to crack or to cut it poorly... <br /><br />The cut is going to be a hinge line so it needs to be perfect for function and appearance. <br /><br />Thanks,

 

[Terry H]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

tablesaw...chief

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

Originally posted by Chief 101:<br /> tablesaw...chief

With a backwards plywood blade.

 

[KRS]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

I apologize for not adding something meaningful to this post, just wanted to recognize that this forum is amazing. Almost any question can be asked and someone has advice and support to lend.<br /><br />I'm proud to be an iboats member (cue patriotic song now).

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

The jig saw blade useing the straight edge will do the trick but it can get hot and curl some of it. I always took mine to a glass place and got them to cut it. A little money and lot less headache.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

I've cut up alot of acrylic sheets from 1/4-3/4" and have always just used a standard 10"x80 tooth carbide toothed sawblade run in the forward direction. I have heard that you can run the blade backwards but have never done it as I think it would heat and melt the plastic. As it is you need to run the plastic thru the saw fast as not to melt the danged stuff. Chief

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

OK I don't have a table saw. Guess I need one. <br /><br />Thanks for the tips all. And yeah AZ I always think the same thing about this place. Got a boat question... Iboats. Got any other question... Iboats. Want to just yap and BS.... Iboats. Who needs the rest of the internet?<br /><br /><br />

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

Got it done. Used a 2X4 as a guide for the jigsaw for the first cut (the edge not the hinge)and it turns out that my jigsaw is skewed, so to cut a straight line you have to yaw the saw a bit to the side. This of course meant that the 2X4 along the side of the saw guide didn't work well.<br /><br />So I eyeballed that one. Came out good.<br /><br />Then for the hinge line I clamped the straight (factory cut) side of the scrap I just cut off right on where I wanted the line, and used that to guide the blade instead of the edge of the saw. Worked perfect. Thanks for the tips.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

why not have the place you bought it from cut it?

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

Got it from home depot, don't know if they cut it and don't kow if I want them to cut it if they do. I was worried over nothing it came out great.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

I had lowes cut some mirror for me. They broke the first one and the second one was 1/4" off. I told the guy to practice on all the scrap pieces he had. He just looked at me and smiled.

 

[flashback]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

I use a router..

 

[Terry H]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

Originally posted by flashback:<br /> I use a router..

some folks just like to do things the hard way. Chief

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

There is a plexiglass knife on the market. Using it and a straigt edge has always worked for me. Let someone borrow it and they lost it. So what I use now is a sawzall blade. I leave the last tooth on the blade and grind off about an inch worth of teeth leaving that last tooth. Then you scribe it like drywall. However you need to scribe down about half the thickness. Worked good for me. <br /><br />As OMC said, always practice on scrap pieces first.

 

[flashback]

Re: Need to cut a STRAIGHT line in 1/4" acrylic

Chief 101 <br />Member # 4631 posted August 06, 2005 11:55 PM<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> I've cut up alot of acrylic sheets from 1/4-3/4" and have always just used a standard 10"x80 tooth carbide toothed sawblade run in the forward direction. I have heard that you can run the blade backwards but have never done it as I think it would heat and melt the plastic. As it is you need to run the plastic thru the saw fast as not to melt the danged stuff. Chief <br />

That's why I use the router, its really quite easy and clean. especially on straight cuts, now curves take a little more time because you have to make a jig or template for them