Cutting plexiglass

[freakmoh]

Hi everyone,

I've been working on a project where I need to cut plexiglass into circular shapes. Anyone have any recommendations as to what tool may do the best job? The circle varies in size from regular cup diameter to a biggie salad bowl diameter. I'm not looking to buy any heavy machinery, just something that'll cut the plexiglass in circles...HELP!!!

Freakmoh

[BlueBoy]

you could use a drill & a hole saw attachment for the smaller holes. A rotozip comes with a attachment for cutting circles up to around a foot . a scroll saw could be used also . after you make your cuts to finish the cut edges sand them down good and seal them with clear acrylic to get the shine back if needed .

later , the fish

[Alan Cross]

What ever you use make sure you support the edges that will help stop the chipping...and go slow, with a fine blade.
Alan

[Alan Cross]

PS welcome to the forum....
Alan

[Enchanted]

Originally Posted by BlueBoy

A rotozip comes with a attachment for cutting circles up to around a foot

If "rotozip" is what I think it is - the newer "rotary saw" cutting tool - then I heartily agree it's a better cutter for plexiglass than using a scroll saw of jig saw or any saw with a reciprocating blade. The only problem I see with the rotary cutter is using the "jig" for circles implies making some sort of mark at the center of the piece - at the anchor point. That may not be acceptable if the circle cutout is the object of the cut. IOWs, if you were 'wasting' the center, there would be no concern for making an anchor point.

So, a workaround for the anchor point would be to use another layer of something that will not move around while the cut is being made. I'd have to work it out since I've never done this. Good idea though!

[WmDShirley]

Try mounting the plexiglass onto a piece of masonite using something like rubber cement, which can be peeled off later. This will give greater weight and help eliminate scratches produced by the motion of the operation. You can set up a centerpoint on the masonite to help rotate evenly without risking a mark on the clear plexiglass. I also suggest that you put masking tape over the areas you plan to cut to reduce chipping. Lastly, don't breathe the fumes! Nasty toxic stuff will give you a headache.