Cutting plexy glass with dremel.

[DerekDRP]

heya guys how hard would it be to cut a peice of plexy glass with a dremel ( straight edge only )?? like 4 sides i mean make a rectangle ???

[Yamiyanazz]

Depends on the plexi. If it's hard stuff, imagine cutting a CD-Jewel case, or even try it out. It'll splinter and leave rough edges. With some softer stuff( like what my window is made of), it will cut beautifully (assuming you can hold a straight line.)

[capmuffin]

Sheetrock knife>all for cutting plexy,cut it as best as you can,than snap it apart.You basicly make your own punch out.

[Captain Slug]

Cutting straight lines out of plastic is impossible if you lack either a table saw (to do it right the first time) or a belt sander (to straighten the cuts after the fact).

Acrylic can be scoured and snapped, but that usually leads to cracking so I avoid it. Polycarbonate cannot be snapped cracked easily.
Neither are terribly receptive to dremel work. Use a jigsaw or table saw.

With the amount of time I've spent working with plastic I seriously don't understand the compulsion for modders to want to do everything with a dremel. The amount of time and money I spent on cutting disks when I had one was hardly worth it compared to other cutting tools. Dremel (as far as I'm concerned) are only good for etching and miniature trim cutting. Other than those two things I just assume use the right tool for the job.

[DaWiper]

Use a jigsaw or table saw.

With the amount of time I've spent working with plastic I seriously don't understand the compulsion for modders to want to do everything with a dremel. The amount of time and money I spent on cutting disks when I had one was hardly worth it compared to other cutting tools.

Dremel (as far as I'm concerned) are only good for etching and miniature trim cutting. Other than those two things I just assume use the right tool for the job.

Jigsaw gets my vote too, at least for lexan/polycarb.
I've tried both dremel and jigsaw for plasic work. With the dremel it's too easy to make the plastic melt cuz of high RPM. With the jigsaw that problem is minimized. and it's easier to do a staright cut(IMO).

Regarding the dremel statement. I understand why modders setick to the dremel... Lack of tool-knowledge. I have had a electric jigsaw for longer than my dremel, but it's just recently I've started using it for bigger jobs. The dremel is best for small/precision work...

Use the right tool for the right job!!!!!

[DerekDRP]

well then guys i am poor ( i have money BUT that goes for the sv8k sli asus mobo and proc ) what other "CLEAR" that can be bought at home depo ? lowels ? or even hase hard ware???

[DerekDRP]

what about thin thin thin sheets of lexan used by r/c cars you can buy at your local hobby shop ( its only going to be used as a window ( dust screen typde thing )

[Celeron_Phreak]

If you want to use your dremel for it, then all you need is cutting wheels and a very steady hand. Otherwise, find a friend nearby with a jigsaw and see if you can borrow it. I use a jigsaw on cuts anything longer than 5 inches.

[Captain Slug]

what about thin thin thin sheets of lexan used by r/c cars you can buy at your local hobby shop ( its only going to be used as a window ( dust screen typde thing )
1/16th and thinner can easily be cut with tin-snips or heavy scissors. You'll probably need to sand or file the edges afterward.

[DerekDRP]

cel cool my booss ( has a shopp now )... but wont dremel jig saw ? make really bad ridges in the matreal ??? i desided to use thing rc car lexan sheeting its good stuff and you only need a pair of really good scissiors to cut it it.... very strong for how thin it is :)