Need to cut 1/4" acrylic

[steveoutlaw]

Ah, but there is a catch.......the acrylic is part of a sump so I'm probably going to have to use a dremel. Can anyone recommend the best bit for a smooth precision cut? I'm cutting out a 6x6 square so I can glue in an overflow box.

[extreme_tooth_decay]

Ah, but there is a catch.......the acrylic is part of a sump so I'm probably going to have to use a dremel. Can anyone recommend the best bit for a smooth precision cut? I'm cutting out a 6x6 square so I can glue in an overflow box.

 

Can you use a hand held circular saw to cut most of it, and then the dremel for the corners? That is a lot of tough material to dremel off.

[ctenophore]

Use a long clamp as a straightedge and make multiple passes with the router attachment. I would try at most 1/16" at a time. 4 passes on each side.

 

Use the conical (vertical) router attachment and an upspiral bit.

[steveoutlaw]

I would think that the circular saw would be a little rough on the acylic. What about using a handheld reciprocating saw and then using the dremel to polish off the edges? I'll probably have to go through about 10 blades, but blades are cheap.

[ctenophore]

I would think that the circular saw would be a little rough on the acylic. What about using a handheld reciprocating saw and then using the dremel to polish off the edges? I'll probably have to go through about 10 blades, but blades are cheap.

A jigsaw/scroll saw would be more precise. Use a quality metal cutting blade and you won't need more than one. Have a spray bottle with water to keep the blade cool as it cuts or you will get melted acrylic all over the place.

 

I would still use a long clamp as a straightedge/guide.

[steveoutlaw]

Great, thanks.

[bluefunelement]

Just did the same thing - used the dremel circular cutting wheels to cut and the sanding wheels to clean the edges. Best luck was that I could get the Dremel routing attachment guide to act as such for the cutting wheel since most of my cuts were near the edge.

[Charlie]

I've used a table saw to cut acrylic, but I used a plywood blade just high enough for the material and ran the material through backward (keeps chipping from happening).

[Kristen9]

I used an 'acyrlic knife' to edge it, then was able to use a wedge screwdriver and hammer to break the edge... alittle of a learning curve, but I dont own a saw, it worked .... :D

[flowerseller]

I used a router on my acrylic tanks.

 

 

 

It got a little messy.

Good thang I used my safety glasses.

[davelin315]

It's Bozo the Coconut Donut Clown!

[Chad]

haha, I know that every one of us that has worked with acrylic has looked just like that!