Plexiglass: Is it as hard as everyone says?

demonofaj · Post by **demonofaj** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:05 am

Well, I can't find plastic, so on to Plexiglass as CTFAN said. Just a question though, I called them [homedepot] and asked how 'hard' it is to cut Plexiglass (1/16" thick), and said I can do it with a hobbyknife. Were they lying? I'm in a volitile(sp?) position financially here.

Post by **CronoTriggerfan** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:52 am

No, they were telling the truth (for once!)

. You can cut it using an X-Acto knife, you just have to be patient and score it deep before you snap it. And as always, a hot knife'll make things easier on you!

CTFan

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:17 pm

And just so you know, volatile means it becomes gaseous easily. That doesn't quite describe your situation.

Post by **Skyone** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:04 pm

Kurt_ wrote:And just so you know, volatile means it becomes gaseous easily. That doesn't quite describe your situation.

Maybe he has a farting problem!

I've never used anything BUT plexiglass. I wouldn't bother with a hobby knife, because it's a risk that the knife will slip, and it'll screw everything up. Just use a jigsaw, or circular saw.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:28 pm

Or a rotary tool. It doesn't even have to be a Dremel, just some cheap rotary tool from a hardware store would work. I've seen some for around $20 with the disk attachment you would need. It's worth the money.

PadMasta44 · Post by **PadMasta44** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:56 pm

I got my Dremel from Coscto Wholesale...
Only $20
YAAAY COSTCOOOO!!!!

Felino · Post by **Felino** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 3:50 am

PadMasta44 wrote:I got my Dremel from Coscto Wholesale...
Only $20
YAAAY COSTCOOOO!!!!

Luckly we have do sort of store in australia.

PadMasta44 · Post by **PadMasta44** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:36 pm

It's kinda a POS though. I'm gonna get a better one for my birthday in February!

Also getting a saw attachment for cutting all my materials

here's the link for the most amazing Dremel products including routing enabled Dremels when used with the right work station. That's gonna be good to have.

http://www.dremel.com/en-US

here's the mini-saw attachment I'm getting

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/attachments ... 79&I=69804

The sight offers some videos for products to see them in action.

figmentfilm · Post by **figmentfilm** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:18 pm

If you use a powertool, especially with plexy, USE SAFETY GLASSES! I almost always use them, but I had forgot to put them on for a quick line cut. If you use the cutting wheel (more of a grinding disc) that comes with the dremel, the plastic gets VERY hot and melts... there is a good chance this piece could fly off into your eye. I was lucky, it spread accross the top and bottom of mine at the corner, so I only had burns on my eyelid, nose and underneath.
Unless somebody knows of a better tool for cutting plexy?
Also, it comes in different thicknesses (thicknessi?) Witht the thin stuff, a lot of patients works when scoring, but on the bigger stuff, I'll almost always snap it and ruin the piece.
While you're there, pick up some JBWeld for the plastic, it's like superglue on crack.
If you're looking for a clear finish (not painted) it also looks a lot cleaner than hot glue.
On that note, there is also a liquid (it's out in the shed) near the plexy that helps shine it up, it's great for removing those little scratches that are bound to pop up.
Cheers!
Figment

sammy · Post by **sammy** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:53 pm

I cut plexi with a jigsaw. Thicker parts with a tablesaw.

PadMasta44 · Post by **PadMasta44** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:12 pm

figmentfilm wrote:If you use a powertool, especially with plexy, USE SAFETY GLASSES! I almost always use them, but I had forgot to put them on for a quick line cut. If you use the cutting wheel (more of a grinding disc) that comes with the dremel, the plastic gets VERY hot and melts... there is a good chance this piece could fly off into your eye. I was lucky, it spread accross the top and bottom of mine at the corner, so I only had burns on my eyelid, nose and underneath.
Unless somebody knows of a better tool for cutting plexy?
Also, it comes in different thicknesses (thicknessi?) Witht the thin stuff, a lot of patients works when scoring, but on the bigger stuff, I'll almost always snap it and ruin the piece.
While you're there, pick up some JBWeld for the plastic, it's like superglue on crack.
If you're looking for a clear finish (not painted) it also looks a lot cleaner than hot glue.

Do you think i should use some tool other than that attachment?

I picked it cause it looked as if i could make some easy straight clean cuts with it in the plexi (polycarbonate, or ABS).
Tell me what you think i should do in order to make an easy straight/clean cut.

also, can the JB Weld which you speak of, hold the plexiglass together real well? Like watertight? Cause I'm going to make my reservoir out of plexi myself.

Edutainment · Post by **Edutainment** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 6:45 pm

PadMasta44 wrote: YAAAY COSTCOOOO!!!!

Costco RULES!

PadMasta44 · Post by **PadMasta44** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:50 am

I have found, or rather have received complaints, from my father of the odor that melting plexiglass makes...

I also broke a routing bit today

... while i was trying to rout some thin aluminum for a controller I'm trying to make...

It was a $3.59 bit...

Anyway, I've decided to use plexiglass or ABS or.... let's just limit it to "plastic", for the enclosures of the rest of my projects here on out.

My question is this:

Does anyone know of a good ABS supplier? I need just large sheets of it. I can shape it all myself.

For example: 12" x 24" x 1/16"

Plastic + Eyes = AAAAAAAAAH!!!!

Thanks!

PM_44

Post by **bicostp** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:21 am

I wrote this in http://benheck.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=17260 but it's worth repeating.

United States Plastic Corp.
http://www.usplastic.com

Most of their products are pre-formed goods (buckets, containers, etc.) but they also have sheets and rods up for sale. (You could probably use the rods for buttons and screw posts.) They've also got small Altoids-style tins in different shapes.

Here's the page of sheets, rods, cement, hinges, and other raw parts:
<a href="http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/catego ... p?...av</a>

And for you cheapskates, the clearance parts:
<a href="http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/catego ... .Page=1</a>

The acrylic sheeting is pretty cheap, but I don't know how strong it is.

PadMasta44 · Post by **PadMasta44** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:34 pm

I've already seen that site...

and I'm looking for ABS plastic supplier. Usplastic has a big selection of acrylic and polycarbonate. But...NO ABS!! AAH!

So, I'm looking...For ABS...

<Peace>

PM_44