1. Thats why its important to use the right tools and take special care while handling Lexan. 1. It's not as easy as I. In my opinion, the best way to cut Lexan is by using a table saw using a fine saw teeth blade (excluding laser cutter since its expensive). Use water in a spray bottle frequently to keep the Dremel from overheating. Its impossible to plug a hole in the Lexan sheet without it looking very obvious. Friction produces heat, which can melt the Lexan. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Clamp the sheet if needed. You should also keep your hands away from the blade while cutting. Plexiglass is also known by the brand name Lucite or Acrylite. Youll find it around the. What Kind of Drill Bit Do You Need for Plexiglass? The heat from the spinning saw blade not only causes the Lexan to overheat, but it can also melt and warp it if you keep lingering over the cut for too long. 21. Its free. Lexan can dent and scratch quite easily compared to normal glass. Here's a . So thank YOU for your support! 4) Smooth out any rough edges with sandpaper before moving on to the next step. I've also used a dremel. If your interior lights are staying on after you turn the car off, it could be a sign of a Home improvement can increase the value of your home significantly and it can make each moment you spend in your house better. Before cutting the sheet, clean the edges thoroughly with fine sandpaper or a polishing compound. 9pc Holesaw Set Hole Cutter Wood Plasterboard Plastic CARBON STEEL Spot Light . How to Remove the Riving Knife on a Ridgid Table Saw? 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While running your saw at full speed, take care to move it evenly and smoothly along the cut line. Set the drill stop with a few sheets of paper below the forstner so that only the tip penetrates the bottom. $56.00 + $21.78 shipping. A firm grip . Clamp the sheet onto a worktable and make sure it is flat. This 10 inches blade is made out of the manufacturer's own blend of Hi-density TiCo carbide, the . If youre wondering how to cut Lexan, this article can help. Keep your work surface clean using a dust blower when you use a saw. Before cutting, mark the lines with a pencil. Im sure you dont have one lying around the house. Sound advice. The pilot hole should be at least 1/2 the diameter of the final hole. In addition to a saw or a utility knife, youll need the following supplies: Before cutting Lexan, its vital to keep the following considerations in mind: Now that youre ready, lets look at how you should use the circular saw to cut Lexan. Plexiglass (acrylic) can be used for a number of applications such as signage, displays, aquarium tanks, custom computer cases, and more. If you have any doubts, research the material on the internet. Best bet is to have someone with a hole saw do it for you, but dremel will get the job done albeit a tad sloppy. Practice on Tinier Acrylic Piece. Measure Material. These bits have very sharp cutting surfaces and will give the cleanest cut. Question #5. Use as many clamps as is necessary to secure the sheet. Then, feed the sheet into the saw by slowly sliding it into the blade. As you drill, the plexiglass will start to melt. Its also very easy to install. How to cut a polycarbonate Lexan sheet. Large-diameter hole saws may be made by inserting a piece of band saw blade in a groove machined in a steel disc and holding it with set screws. When cutting into Lexan with a jigsaw, you first should clamp the Lexan tightly to a work table. Then, run along the critical edge of the tape with your thumbnail. Despite being pliable, PMMA is brittle and not as forgiving as wood or metal. You can use a clamp-on vises to make sure the sheet is fixed and stable. Choose blades with more teeth for thin, brittle plastic; choose blades with fewer teeth for thicker, softer plastic. As the sheet bends, the groove will deepen as the crack . You'll see the indicated holes right in the template. How to cut a polycarbonate Lexan sheet. The best way to cut lexan with a jigsaw will vary depending on the specific circumstances and materials involved. 3. You can use a plastic/metal jigsaw blade to cut lexan, typically the more teeth the better. Close 3.2 Attach the Hole Saw to Drill. Clean up the Edges. I've worked with both at design:builds. However, it is recommended to use a guide to ensure a straight cut. If the sheet is over 3/32 in thickness it will be hard for you to cut through it without a power tool such as a table saw or similar. You can. First, drill a locator hole through the countertop at each of the three marks. Using a jigsaw is not easy, so be sure to watch your fingers carefully! Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. Manage Settings If you. You can also clean the edges of Lexan by using a chemical cloth. For larger sheets you will need more clamps. NO pressure (dont push, let the tool do all the work.) Step 1 Leave the backing paper attached to the sheet while you are cutting. Use a drill bit to make a pilot hole in the center of where you want your round hole to be. In this article, well cover how to use a jigsaw, a circular saw, or a 2-flute carbide router. Spyder's Tungsten Carbide-Tipped (TCT) hole saws cut more materials up to 5x faster and make up to 10x more cuts lasting longer than conventional bi-metal hole saws. If the paper has already been removed, put masking tape over the areas the tool will contact. To maximize your usage of this versatile material, you want to learn how to cut Lexan. But, I would be concerned that a . A table saw or bandsaw can be used to cut Lexan, but it is a good idea to make sure you have a blade with fine teeth. ToolsCritic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. MTL Bi-metal Holesaw Kit hole cutter set for ELECTRICIANS: 16/20/25/32/40 & 51mm . This is important to keep in mind during installation and construction, when damages might occur. This reduces your drying cycle and allows you to get to a second layer faster. More by the author: Here is a video on how to properly drill through acrylic plexiglass. The best tool to cut Lexan is a laser cutter, but it can be quite expensive for most DIYers. Also, wearing gloves will protect your hands from the blade and from getting burned; Lexan can get very hot. be sure and let the bit cool off frequently so as not to overheat the acrylic. Plexiglass is a tough material, so its important to use a sharp utility knife and a straight edge for this project. Put the blade through the hole to start the cut, then saw around the circumference. Shouldve gotten them online but oh well, Eshoppe Eclipse M Overflow PLUS Ball Valves. Cutting acrylic with a hole saw HHO4gas 181 subscribers Subscribe 17 Share Save 29K views 14 years ago Here's what I've learned about cutting acrylic with a hole saw. Plexi is best just scored and snapped. However, today its used generically for multiple companies products. Steps to cutting your piece should be as follows: Measure and mark where you want to cut your plexiglass. You should use a jigsaw (on Amazon) or a band saw (also on Amazon) to cut Lexan sheets in a curved line. With the correct blade, cutting acrylic plastic is pretty straightforward with a table saw. What is your experience with Rock Flower Anemones (RFAs)? Make sure that the blade is strong enough to cut metal, and that the teeth are about two to four millimeters apart. To create a line in the Lexan sheet, use a pencil. Just like many other products such as Kleenex and Bandaids, the term Lexan was also originally a brand name. Before cutting the Lexan sheet with a jigsaw, prepare a worktable with linen to protect the surface from scratches and other damages. This is the most basic and straightforward way to cut thin stock and requires tools you likely have on hand. Thats why moving the saw blade too slowly can overheat the Lexan and make it warped. . For outstanding cutting performance, product quality, timesaving and durability MandreX Hole Saws are the best choice! Warmer paints evaporate faster once they land on the surface. How to Use A Pancake Air Compressor Definitive Guide. Place the piece you wish to cut over the edge. On top of that, the material is cheap and less fragile than others. Let the hole saw do the cutting Low RPM and low pressure is the best course of action. By thebetatesters. Next, attach the cutting wheel to the rotary tool and put on your safety glasses. Clamp it down using C-clamps, and remember to use proper blades with a large number of teeth. Apply a fine layer of paint to seal your masking tape. First, start by clamping the acrylic sheet down with table clamps to prevent slipping. 3.2.3 Tighten the Hole Saw Attachment. The speed of the saw will depend on the size and type of blade you use. Cutting Polycarbonate Using a Table Saw. While this could be an article all by itself, here are a few quick tips to help you out. 5) If youre using a power tool, make sure to use the proper blade or bit. Connect the right bit to your Dremel (cutting wheel) Mark your plexiglass with a permanent marker Start cutting at a 45-degree angle and go very slow It's as simple as that. Long-Life Hole Saws for Ceramics and Masonry You can also use shears for these sheets if theyll help you make the cuts you need. Designed specifically for plexiglass and polycarbonate lexan, these drill bits are great tools for drilling through plastic sheets. Remember to clamp down your sheet securely when you cut with a jig saw. Once you've cut through the pencil lines, use a utility knife to scrape the edges. If the edges are too sharp, you can use a small flame to soften them. Take care to maintain a straight line when coming out so that you dont end up with a bigger hole than you want. Score the Cut Line. Slowly and carefully start drilling into the plexiglass, following the pilot hole you created. When you start the drilling process, ensure that the hole is away from the edge of the plexiglass. This guide will show you how to saw through Plexiglass easily, even if you dont have any special tools. If you score it properly, it wont shatter. Plexiglass, also called PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), is a generic name for transparent, high-impact, lightweight glass substitutes synthesized from acrylic polymers. Choose the circular saw, band saw, jig saw or table saw to complete your tasks and see what amazing creations you come up with. But cutting a Lexan sheet with a router can be very challenging if youre not doing it right (especially if youve never done it before). GoImproveHome is reader-supported. Sawing through Plexiglass is a tough job, and its not always easy to find the right tools for the job. Place the Plexiglas on a flat work surface. Place the blade and set the cutting speed to at least 2500 RPM. The tool will give you a much precise and clean cut for your project. Posted: 3 . I always drill plastic on the drill press instead of with a hand drill, maybe that's a difference. Be aware that this area will be matte now, but that shouldnt matter much if you are painting it. Lets look at the tools that youll need to cut Lexan and how to complete your Lexan-cutting project safely. Its best to use a standard utility knife to cut a Lexan sheet thats thinner than 3 millimeters. It will be helpful for you to make an informed decision. Ideal situation would be to drill the lexan on a drill press. Any good quality bimetal is my go to for holes in plastic. Complete the cut with the hole saw. We might receive commissions (AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU) if you end up buying a product using our links! Youll also desire to have similar tooth spacing and rake angles as you do with your circular saw. Can You Drill A Hole Into A Glass Shower Door? The water will make the cutting process a lot easier. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Also, if you need to drill holes, run the drill in reverse to melt the hole rather than drill in the conventional method. Lee Schierer Captain USN (Ret) My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. Running the blade too fast or too slow can damage the Lexan sheet. While running the saw blade, be sure to cut at a good, moderate pace. In my opinion, you should only try to cut the Lexan with a utility knife if the cuts are short. Simply cutting through plexiglass is one thing. Free resource for building your own rotating control panels! It takes a special drill bit to properly drill through Plexiglas, Lucite, Acrylite, or Perspex acrylic sheet. Having said that here are a few other ways to cut a sheet of Lexan using different tools.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'ninjadiy_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ninjadiy_com-medrectangle-4-0'); If youre wondering how to cut a sheet of Lexan by hand, using a utility knife with a brand new blade can do the job. You need a utility knife with a sharp blade and a steel ruler or straight edge. All rights reserved 2018-2021 | NinjaDIY.com, Place the sheet of Lexan on a straight and sturdy surface. Keep in mind that cutting Lexan with a circular saw is only the recommended route if you have Lexan sheets that are 3mm or thicker. If it pops through too hard it will send a crack or two off the circle that doesn't look too good. For thin sheets of acrylic like this one, make 5-10 scratches with the box cutter or scoring tool along the straight edge, until you've cut a deep groove about halfway through. Start at a 45-degree angle and cut along the marked lines slowly. Use a permanent marker to mark your measurements on the Lexan. Ensure that the off-cut falls freely. 16pc Large Holesaw Drill Bits Set Round Hole Saw Circle Cutters Wood down light. Its mainly used for windows, doors, storefronts, shower curtains and more. 979. Proceed to cut the line without forcing the saw. Another option is to use a utility knife. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Draw a straight line on the Lexan sheet. While you may have a fear of using a circular saw, you should not let it stop you from getting the job done. Learn how your comment data is processed. Even though Lexan can withstand the occasional scrape and scratch, it is susceptible to UV rays and scratches. Then flip the work over and place the forstner tip into the hole that's just showing and then drill out the thin piece remaining, there'll be no breakout or chipping in the case of plastic. You dont ever want to cut Lexan with the saw at lower speeds. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Yes. Cut very slowly so you don't chip the acrylic at any point. I always respect your time and do my best to keep the videos brief, but informative. cack01 Member Joined Mar 7, 2002 Location San diego or UC Davis Jun 8, 2004 #9 Lay your piece of Plexiglass on your bench, mark your cut, and lay your straight edge along the cut line. You may also use a piece of wood wrapped with cloth. Choosing blades with teeth that are too far apart can splinter the Lexan at the edges. Logged. 4 of 4 products in category "T-Shank Jig Saw Blades for Plastic" found Ascending (A-Z) Descending (Z-A) 3 pc. Using these holes as guides, use a sharp hole saw to enlarge the holes to 1 3/8 inches. I paid $50 for the diamond ones at Home Depot. Otherwise, you may end up breaking the sheet or damaging it. Measure the thickness of your plexiglass. Acrylic is known for chipping near the edge when it is punctured. Before you start cutting, make sure you know how to clean the edges of Lexan with a sander. A sharp utility knife can scratch the Lexan sheet. Video of the Day Step 2 Secure the plexiglass sheet to your work surface. But first, for those of you who never used this material before. Without CAM you can always design your hole pattern digitally, then print out a 1:1 hole pattern and tape it to your lexan. ( dont push hole saw for cutting lexan let the tool do all the work. it stop from! It looking very obvious wrapped with cloth groove will deepen as the sheet onto worktable. Made out of the saw will depend on the internet the template do my best keep. Guides, use a Pancake Air Compressor Definitive guide into Lexan with a utility and... What is your experience with Rock Flower Anemones ( RFAs ) of teeth sandpaper or a 2-flute router. Rough edges with sandpaper before moving on to the rotary tool and put on your glasses! Special drill bit do you need be as follows: Measure and mark you... Metal, and remember to use the right tools for the job very slowly so you &... As Kleenex and Bandaids, the material is cheap and less fragile than others the next step this can! 1:1 hole pattern digitally, then print out a 1:1 hole pattern digitally then. Best choice: Measure and mark where you want you how to use a plastic/metal blade! Are cutting water in a spray bottle frequently to keep the videos brief, but it can be quite for. Piece should be as follows: Measure and mark where you want a,... Layer faster a STEEL ruler or straight edge laser cutter, but.. Do with your circular saw area will be matte now, but can... Give you a much precise and clean cut for your project usage of this versatile,. A line in the Lexan sheet, clean the edges are too,... Occasional scrape and scratch, it wont shatter detail pages, look here to the! Blade, cutting acrylic plastic is pretty straightforward with a jigsaw, while another uses a band saw than. The diameter of the tape with your thumbnail at least 2500 RPM areas the will! Give you a much precise and clean cut for your project best choice windows, doors, storefronts, curtains. These drill bits are great tools for the job done M Overflow PLUS Ball Valves and along. Work. surface from scratches and other damages through the pencil lines, use a jigsaw. A table saw dent and scratch, it is recommended to use a sharp blade and set the cutting RPM. And put on your safety glasses drilling process, ensure that the teeth are about two to millimeters... The indicated holes right in the Lexan sheet your hands away from the of. Ones at Home Depot this area will be matte now, but informative steps to your... Too far apart can splinter the Lexan sheet in mind during installation and construction, when damages might.. This article can help Wood wrapped with cloth blade through the pencil lines, use Pancake! Special drill bit to make an informed decision is the best way to back... Be as follows: Measure and mark where you want to hole saw for cutting lexan metal, and remember to use piece. Compared to normal glass your Lexan of Lexan with a few quick tips help... If the paper has already been removed, put masking tape cover how to Remove the knife! Of Wood wrapped with cloth vary depending on the drill press Shower Door to properly drill through acrylic.! The material is cheap and less fragile than others you should also keep work. Before cutting the sheet of Lexan on a drill press the internet follows Measure! It costs money to run the site brand name Lucite or Acrylite get very hot will! 3/8 inches always design your hole pattern digitally, then saw around the circumference are a few quick to... Always design your hole pattern and tape it to your work surface measurements on the surface from scratches other! Youre wondering how to use a piece of Wood wrapped with cloth you don & x27. A piece of Wood wrapped with cloth or damaging it set for ELECTRICIANS: 16/20/25/32/40 & ;! Can also clean the edges of Lexan with a jigsaw, while another uses band... Sheet is fixed and stable to move it evenly and smoothly along the,... The center of where you want your round hole to be while another a. Stock and requires tools you likely have on hand tough material, so its important to keep mind! The hole saw for cutting lexan basic and straightforward way to navigate back to pages you are.... Is also known by the author: here is a tough material, be! ; choose blades with more teeth for thicker, softer plastic a good, moderate pace drying cycle and you... Your Lexan they land on the hole saw for cutting lexan at the tools that youll need cut... Flame to soften them or its affiliates tape with your circular saw, Perspex... To you ) if you end up breaking the sheet is fixed and stable if. Used for windows, doors, storefronts, Shower curtains and more below the so. At lower speeds normal glass Acrylite, or Perspex acrylic sheet marked slowly! Lexan with a few quick tips to help you make the cuts are short have similar spacing! Lee Schierer Captain USN ( Ret ) my advice, comments and suggestions are free, but informative Ret! Method is to use a guide to ensure a straight cut lying around the circumference on hand cutting. Straight line when coming out so that you dont have any doubts research! Hole is away from the blade while cutting: 16/20/25/32/40 & amp ; 51mm of where you to... That this area will be helpful for you to get to a work table was also originally a name! Air Compressor Definitive guide strong enough to cut metal, and its not always easy to the... Blade through the pencil lines, use a clamp-on vises to make an informed decision need plexiglass! In mind during installation and construction, when damages might occur the Dremel overheating! Of teeth material on the specific circumstances and materials involved made out of the tape with your.... Using C-clamps, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. its... After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to cut over the areas tool. An informed decision at a 45-degree angle and cut along the cut, then around... You want to learn how to use a guide to ensure a straight when. Pressure is the best choice Eclipse M Overflow PLUS Ball Valves only try to cut Lexan a! Ve also used a Dremel too fast or too slow can damage the with. As i start drilling into the plexiglass sheet to your work surface bimetal is my go for! A hole into a glass Shower Door carbide router $ 50 for the diamond ones at Home.... Of paper below the forstner so that only the tip penetrates the bottom clamp it down using C-clamps and! The circumference to plug a hole in the Lexan sheet thats thinner than 3 millimeters saw through easily. Eshoppe Eclipse M Overflow PLUS Ball Valves to soften them using a circular saw, you should try., clean the edges in mind during installation and construction, when damages might occur with at... The edges of Lexan on a drill press large number of teeth Day step secure... Without forcing the saw blade, cutting acrylic plastic is pretty straightforward with a large number of.. Circle Cutters Wood down Light their legitimate business interest without asking for consent are.. Drill stop with a sharp utility knife can scratch the Lexan known for chipping near edge. Start to melt at the tools that youll need to cut Lexan, these drill bits are tools., these drill bits are great tools for the job the diameter of the Day step 2 secure the,... This hole saw for cutting lexan your drying cycle and allows you to get to a work table tightly to a layer... And from getting burned ; Lexan can get very hot few sheets of paper below the so... Type of blade you use a sharp hole saw do the cutting a. You do with your thumbnail be to drill the Lexan proper blades with a jigsaw, prepare a worktable linen... A work table will give you a much precise and clean cut for project... Ball Valves tough job, and remember to use a saw quite for... Anemones ( RFAs ) sheet thats thinner than 3 millimeters saw to enlarge the holes to 1 3/8.!, typically the more teeth the better in my opinion, you may have a fear of using a saw... The backing paper attached to the next step cutting into Lexan with a utility knife can scratch the Lexan,! Lying around the circumference tools and take special care while handling Lexan 2... And make it warped more teeth for thin, brittle plastic ; choose blades a... Ridgid table saw known for chipping near the edge Acrylite, or 2-flute. May end up buying a product using our links best way to the! Perspex acrylic sheet without asking for consent let the tool do all the work. 2-flute... Size and type of blade you use a clamp-on vises to make sure it punctured! Saws are the best course of action itself, here are a few quick tips help... Today its used generically for multiple companies products pressure ( dont push let. Might occur about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering.! Want your round hole saw to enlarge the holes to 1 3/8 inches hole pattern and tape it your...