Although a band saw would have been my preferred method for cutting acrylic, I have had no problems cutting 1/8" thick stock on a table saw with a carbide blade. The width of the material and the required size of the piece made it necessary to use a table saw. I could also have used a jigsaw for such a large piece, but the table saw assured a straighter cut. Good blade selection is essential to making sure that you get a good cut. Too many teeth on the blade will generate more friction and it may melt. Too few teeth on the blade and the cut will be rough, and in some cases your stock (acrylic) may shatter and chip. Therefore careful and deliberate feeding of the material and an appropriate blade selection will pay off.
Like Gabe says, go slowly to avoid chipping, but also keep the piece moving steadily to avoid heating up the material especially with thicker stock. If you move it too slowly it will tend to heat up, soften, melt and may gum up your blade or even distort along the edge of your cut.
You may also have some success with rotary tools such as a rotozip, Dremel, or a laminate trimmer. And don't forget the old faithful hack saw with. Again be careful about chipping and heating up the material.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Gabe
Note that their is a great difference in how these two materials cut. Lexan will cut without problems with a steel or carbide-tipped rip saw blade. A crosscut saw blade will leave a very wide cutting path. Acrylic is very different, and will shatter if you try to saw it on a table saw. Best to use a band saw or a jigsaw and go slowly.
|