How To Cut Plastic Sheets
We know quite a bit about different types of plastic sheets and their applications and characteristics here at Simply Plastics. Acrylic (also known as Perspex, Plexiglas, and PMMA) is one of our favourite materials to work with since it is so simple to utilise.
Acrylic is a great material for DIY projects because of its lightweight, low cost, and shatterproof nature. It’s also lightweight, inexpensive, and shatterproof. We’re going to go through the five most common ways to cut acrylic sheets/panels into any size or shape in this blog. We conclude this post with a summary of the finest methods for ensuring you get a high-quality finish on your plastic.
Get in touch with our staff immediately if DIY isn’t your thing, or you’re searching for a more sophisticated and intricate form/design cut from acrylic. We cut acrylic and a variety of other plastics, including PVC and polycarbonate, to any size or shape. Check out our services by clicking here to see what we can do for you today
Hand Saw
The most basic method of cutting acrylic is to use a hand saw, which is perhaps the most common option. However, because this technique demands more focus and effort than using an electrical saw, such as a jigsaw or bandsaw, it is not as simple as it appears.
The Process:
- Begin by drawing a guide for yourself on the plastic’s surface with a marker pen. Straight lines will be the most simple to cut cleanly.
- Place your acrylic in place, clamping it (or weighing it down on one end to assist keep the material steady).
- Finally, start cutting. It’s best not to use a wood saw since it might harm the material; instead, use a fine-tooth hacksaw or another similar tool. To prevent warping your cut line, keep the acrylic as still as feasible.
Score and Break
Scoring and breaking your acrylic is a quick and simple method to cut plastic to the required size. Note: This technique should only be utilised on the acrylic that is less than 5mm thick.
The Process:
- Begin by drawing a line along the edge of the acrylic sheet that you’ll be cutting, then securing it in place on your cutting surface.
- Next, using your ruler as a guide, score the plastic with the scoring knife several times to make a small groove.
- With a fast push, place the edge that you wish to remove over the flat surface’s edge and press down on the hanging edge (or waste plastic). The acrylic will begin to break and crack, leaving you with two sheets of acrylic.
Jigsaw
Using a jigsaw has the advantage of being more time-efficient than our prior choices. It is also quicker to work with, so less attention is required. You can make more intricate cuts with an electric saw because it’s simpler to control your equipment.
The Process:
- Start by drawing a guide on the acrylic’s surface once again. For a circular piece of plastic, use a straight jigsaw line; for a curved edge, go freehand with a scriber or pencil.
- Place the piece to be cut on a cutting surface. Clamp down and put on your safety goggles in the event any plastic pieces are disturbed during the procedure. When utilising a jigsaw, clamping is critical since it prevents the plastic from vibrating and moving around.
- To remove the plastic, I used a utility knife. When working with electric saws, it is critical to work fast since they produce extra heat that might cause the acrylic plastic to bend or warp.