Compare. This method could even work when cutting heavy PVC pipe. Hack Saw with Plastic Handle Model# 12150 $ 5 97 $ 5 97 ... Nicholson 15 in. Step 2 Wrap some wide painter's tape around the tube so the outside edge lines up with your mark. It is tricky to pick a plastic cutting saw blade from the market. The cleanest and easiest way to make straight cuts in acrylic and polycarbonate sheets that are 3/8 inches thick or less is to use a hook knife. The clamp will help you to hold down the plastic and will provide you the firm grip you need. You can make straight, even cuts with smooth, crisp edges using a table saw with a specialty plastic cutting blade. Then, use a fine-toothed saw to make the cut. After measuring the cut line, lay a metal straight edge along the line and clamp it securely to the bench or table. You can purchase jigsaws and other fine-toothed saws at your local hardware store. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. For more tips, including how to slice through plastic with a piece of string, read on! They are the best of best. Lay the plastic molding on a flat work table and measure to determine where it must be cut. One of the effective ways to cut the plastic by following jigsaw technique as it is one of the easiest. is not easy without breaking it and to do it correctly you need proper tools and techniques. Cutting through thick plastic with thread —for example, when customizing an RC car or working with hobby models and miniatures—is effective, but can take hours. So, if you are struggling to find the right blade, you can come along with the blade which one I am using for a while. Sawing the plastic is not a new technique and it is pretty much handy to tackle a thick piece of plastic. You can also drill small holes to make the plastic easier to cut through, or slice through thick plastic with a piece of string. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plastic-Sheet-Cutting-Tool-GE-41/202038073 The process will be painstaking and time consuming, but it will allow you to cut precisely. To cut plastic using the jigsaw, you need a jigsaw with a sharp blade and a c clamp. Use the full length of the blade and move the saw in quick, smooth motions. Drill a whole bunch of holes slightly inside the cut out lines, all the way around. Because a jigsaw is more effective on the plastic. Scoring the plastic sheet on one side with a scoring tool designed for plastic is a simple way. rotates at a high speed, it delivers excessive heat during the operation. Another possible tool is to use is an unwanted steak knife. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Cut through plastic with a fine-toothed saw. To do that, pull the thread outwards by holding two ends of the thread. They can be purchased at any craft or hobby-supply store. If you notice that the thread becomes hot or loses its strength, change it with the new one. And you can easily do it by using an array of saw types. : Then clamp down the plastic you need to cut. Take safety precautions whenever you use a saw or knife. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Mark the length on the tubing with a pencil. Friends call me tools-nerd, where I call myself a machine-enthusiast. Hacksaw is the best to cut PVC and ABS pipes. Set your store to see local availability Add to Cart. Now gently start moving the thread back and forth. If it can manage the pulling power of your hand, it is ready to go on the action. When using a table saw, keep your hands and fingers clear of the blade, or you could be seriously injured. The Plexiglas® acrylic sheet should be cut halfway through, turned over, and the finishing cut made from the other side. Plastic Snapping Jig / Cutting Acrylic Without a Saw - YouTube https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/18346/what-is-a-good-way-to-cut-hard-plastic-so-it-will-have-a-smooth-finish, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-plastic/, https://www.toolstoday.com/saw-blades/non-melt-plastic-cutting-saw-blades.html, http://fantasygames.com.pl/how-to-cut-thick-plastic-easily/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FguIgnWNrew&feature=youtu.be&t=7m53s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FguIgnWNrew&feature=youtu.be&t=8m10s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FguIgnWNrew&feature=youtu.be&t=8m42s, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. But you can choose according to your. Hole saws come in a variety of diameters so you can choose which size will be best for your task. With a table saw I have had the best luck with a triple chip saw blade. I don't have a table saw, jigsaw or a non-melt saw blade. You can easily find those fine-toothed saws near your hobby stores or by clicking on the link below. And by expanding the hole, connect them one by one. When you don’t have any of those items discussed above, what will you do? To cut straight a thick sheet of acrylic or polycarbonate use the circular saw. . (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Your email address will not be published. Always use a new blade to get butter like smooth cutting experience. Keep pushing the blade until the plastic is cut down. As described in the article, a fine-tooth saw or even a utility knife can cut the plastic. I'm working as a co-editor at Review Infinite, and I'm so in love with my job. Use a tape measure or ruler to measure the length of acrylic tubing you wish to cut. Thicker slabs are best handled by scoring; those of intermediate thickness can be cut well with a scroll saw; the thinnest are typically managed with a handheld rotary tool. Just use your stand table fan to deliver that air. Cutting Weaker Plastics by Hand Use scissors for simple arts and crafts projects. Go to Lowe's, The Home Depot, whatever home center/hardware store is in your area and buy a hole saw. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Step 1: At first, you have to check the strength of the thread. After the saw runs at its best, start cutting. After making the holes on the plastic, you will end up with some dots which you need to connect. The plastic will want to stick to the soldering tip as you cut. Step 2: Start your jigsaw machine by squeezing the trigger. The thicker and harder the plastic, the slower you have to go. When cutting sheet greater than 0.236 inches thick, a detergent/water lubricant and coolant should be used. Cutting Thin Sheets of Plastic If you want a straight cut in a thin acrylic or polycarbonate plastic sheet (up to ⅛ inch thick), reach for a simple utility knife, then follow these steps. Hard plastic examples include plastic pegs and plastic toys. By using our site, you agree to our. Now place the thread on the hole and repeat the process. And last, just start to make the cut on the material. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 126,288 times. Because a jigsaw is more effective on the plastic. Now, you have the name of those ways to follow. Circular saw is the most popular and versatile among all the power saws. Use a hard work surface, for example, something like stone, disposable wooden plank, or metal when beating the tip flat. After repeating the process for a while, you will end up getting a whole on the plastic. As the thread is very strong, don’t hold it with a bare hand during the operation. Chip-welding—a melting of the material—can be a concern while cutting plastics, but not with these plastic cutting saw blades.The modified triple-chip grind and 2° negative hook angle produces less heat than a standard blade, leaving a crisp, smooth edge. Your email address will not be published. Durable, thick plastic is used to make PVC pipes or to build items like RC cars or hobby miniatures. I have been trying to find a method to cut the material without leaving a burr as it poses a hazard for operators and … There have so many ways which you can follow to cut the plastic without breaking. Drilling. When using a fine-toothed saw, clamp the plastic you’re cutting to a table or work bench with a C-clamp. And you will end up getting the same result as the hacksaw provides. It is kind of a. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Chuck it up in your drill. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. So, let’s see how to perform them in real. Besides trimming, the saw blades are well suited for grooving in the body of the part. Cutting Wheel Set 36pcs for Rotary Tool, HSS Circular Saw Blades 6pcs, Resin Cutting Discs 20pcs, 545 Diamond Cutting Wheels 10psc with 2 Screwdrivers 4.4 out of 5 stars 3,445 $13.99 $ 13 . This method will be most effective if you’re doing detailed cutting—for example, on a hobby miniature. What can I do? There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. And the knife will do the job without breaking it. If you want to cut large sheets of plastic such as plexiglass, a table saw with a non-melt plastic cutting blade is the right tool for the job. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. wikiHow's. Cutting with a scoring knife: It is one of the easiest methods to cut acrylic table tops. As it is a lengthy process you need to keep patience to cut the plastic all the way through. for sure to hold your plastic on the table firmly. It can be cut on any woodworking machine. Take the extra soldering tip and flatten it with a hammer or mallet. To cut the plastic using a circular saw is as same as cutting the wood. Unscrew the cover plate with a screwdriver and lay it flat on a scrap piece of plywood with the front side facing up. Use the heated tip to cut the plastic box. But to cut hard plastic is not easy without breaking it and to do it correctly you need proper tools and techniques. Alternatively, use a jigsaw to cut through the plastic. Grab the unit you want to cut with your two knees because you need both of your hands to hold the thread. Make sure to follow the warnings section to avoid injury. Then what are you waiting for? MorNon Mini Electric Circular Saw with 30T/18T Cutting Blades(54.8mm), Speed 4000RPM 400W 3.6A, Handheld Lightweight Circular Saw for Cutting Wood, Plastic, Drywall, Ceramics & … It is kind of a primitive technology of cutting. This is one of the. . References. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Use firm pressure on the saw so that the blade can easily move through the plastic. To cut the plastic you can go with any of these three techniques and you will get a smooth finish. You can also use a table saw, but make sure you use a non-melt blade so the heat of the saw doesn’t melt your plastic For more tips, including how to slice through plastic with a piece of string, read on! Required fields are marked *. A saw-cut hole is typically rough and often melted, requiring a … According to your saw preferences, you can grab any of the techniques right below. Avoid this by cutting through heavy-duty plastic with a non-melt blade, which will not heat up enough to melt the plastic material. Reviewinfinite.com is supported by its audience. Now, plug the drill into the electric socket and start it by pressing on its switch. A hobby knife is a sharp object. You can also use a hot knife to cut thin plastic. Cutting without a burr Currently, we have a saw which, controlled by an actuator translates and cuts the material leaving a burr. It also prevents the risk of these staples flying off to your eyes and face when they are cut. The plastic that you’ve sliced through should have a very smooth, clean break without any rough or jagged spots. But in case of cutting plastic, I will recommend you to not to bring the argument on jigsaw vs router here. And it is 10-inch, Well, my saw needs a 10-inch blade to run, so I use this. So, it will work for you also. And to use a hacksaw for cutting plastic is more preferable, if you don’t have any power saw to do that. The hacksaw is one of the primitive members of the saw family. If you are uncomfortable to use a hacksaw, you can easily use a. to do the same job. Well, don’t worry. The clamp will help you to hold down the plastic and will provide you the firm grip you need. Any toothed blade will cut through plastic. We can assure you; it will be a worth buying. Free delivery. Place the soldering iron tip on the top of a work surface and beat the tip flat by using a hammer or mallet. Some of these fine-toothed saws look like a knife or straight-razor and can easily be used with one hand. I'm a handyman with my own home service startup and a writer. They cut through plastic, acrylic, and soft, non-ferrous metals. If you have a thin layer of plastic that is not more than ⅜-inch to cut, use a hook knife to make a straight cut on it. and I will explain it in the steps below. And for its versatility, it is getting popularity among the handymen and DIYers. Utility knives are also often called hobby knives. The trick is not to push too hard (the blade will snap or veer off across the surface) . After repeating the process for a while, you will end up getting a whole on the plastic. At first, you have to check the strength of the thread. Now, use the hold down clamp to attach the plastic on the table firmly. Depending on the type of plastic you need to cut through, use a fine-toothed saw, a hacksaw, or a non-melting table saw blade. Learn more. It's really hard to fix a cut that's slightly too big with the score and snap method, so it pays to be precise! Last Updated: January 28, 2020 Hi, James speaking. Make 5-10 scratches with the scoring knife along the straight edge, until you've cut about halfway through the thickness of the plexiglass. And why? Saws work quite well for cutting through plastic. But in case of cutting plastic, I will recommend you to not to bring the argument on. Don’t forget to use a blade which is specially made to cut the. Just do it. Though the plastic is badass material to cut with various tools, it is not totally impossible to cut it without those. One of the effective ways to cut the plastic by following, To cut plastic using the jigsaw, you need a jigsaw with a sharp blade and a. . Step 3: Now gently start moving the thread back and forth. If you don’t have an electric power drill and drill bits of varying sizes, you can purchase them at a local hardware store. Step 2: Grab the unit you want to cut with your two knees because you need both of your hands to hold the thread. Note: Well some of the woodworkers use jigsaw over the woodworking router. Because holding it tightly for a long time can damage your tissue. Avoid wearing loose clothing when cutting with a table saw, and wear protective glasses or goggles. From the passion of researching everyday products, we are here to help people and making our business a top service provider. Depending on the size and shape of the plastic, you could also use a C-clamp to hold it to a worktable. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If you want to cut curves on the plastic, use the jigsaw. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. If you’re cutting … Well some of the woodworkers use jigsaw over the woodworking router. The process … Keep safety in mind, plastic burns giving off very nasty fumes. Try to use the nylon thread as it is strong enough to take care of the plastic. Start your jigsaw machine by squeezing the trigger. This article has been viewed 126,288 times. After the saw runs at its best, start cutting. A selection of fine-toothed saws may be available for purchase at hobby stores, since they’re commonly used to cut plastic models and die-cast figurines. Saw using the full length of the blade, and move the saw in smooth, quick back-and-forth motions through the material you’re cutting. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This time you are ready to make the holes. Carbide Tipped Non-Melt, Plastic Cutting Saw Blades. Start the process by attaching the drill bit on the drill. If you’re cutting through thick plastic with a table saw, the heated saw blade may melt the plastic. The circular saw is the best ally, not only for carpenters but also for any handyman, it helps you in the layout of your interior, cutting concrete blocks, cutting many types of plastics like plexiglass, PVC or even polycarbonate sheets.However, the circular saw is nothing without quality blades. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Cut-Thick-Plastic-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Thick-Plastic-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Cut-Thick-Plastic-Step-1.jpg\/aid9544460-v4-728px-Cut-Thick-Plastic-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"