It’s also best to operate your saw at its low or medium speed. This piece of paper is there to protect the piece of Lexan and you should leave it there to have clean and smooth cuts. This surface should also be flat and stable. Clamp the Lexan to a wood piece to add stabilization if needed. 1. You should always protect the Lexan with a cloth, clamp it in place, and use the right circular saw blade. Otherwise, the cuts will be distorted. Most importantly you need to think about the right tool for the project. Ensure that the off-cut falls freely. It's brittle, and not supper strong, so it's easy to break off corners or small features. For other tools, you don’t have to press the blade too hard into the sheet of Lexan. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Check that you only a sharp blade. Band Saw Vs. Scroll Saw: What Should You Buy? So I looked at the blade I used for fiber cement siding. Cutting plexiglass requires patience. Pencil and ruler are used to measure and mark the cutting points and lines.. On the other hand, duct tape and C-clam are used for keeping the piece of Lexan stable and in place during the cutting process. One of our popular products is LEXAN Polycarbonate, a thermoplastic polymer that is currently produced by SABIC. Polycarbonate has many uses today for industrial and home applications. If you learn how to cut it now, you will see that this will be really useful for your next projects in the future. Acrylic and Lexan, a branded name for polycarbonate sheeting, are both durable and flexible materials, often compared to one another because both are transparent and both stand as two of the most frequently utilized types of see-through plastics.Acrylic and polycarbonate both weigh half as much as glass and yet both plastics are much more shatter resistant. Place the painted Lexan in an area that is warm. Make sure that the blade that you use is the sharpest. Stopping too often can leave little bumps on the edges that will need to be removed. Working naturally lowers your risk of having large chunks gouged … In this case, right in the middle between fast and slow is perfect. Adjust the saw speed so the blade is moving at approximately 12,000 strokes per minute. Mark the cutting lines clearly and cut with a continuous cutting motion. If this is the case, why not provide the highest quality polymers and plastics? Then, run along the critical edge of the tape with your thumbnail. house in your aquarium or safety-windows. Method 1 of 3: Scoring and Snapping Thin Plexiglass. Learn how to cut plexiglass so the process becomes safer and cleaner. Step 2: Use the ruler and pencil to mark the points or lines that you are going to cut. You can cut lexan on a table saw and even up the cut on a jointer. Make sure you use a straightedge to effectively guide your knife. It is a type of lightweight plastic that you can use for various DIY home projects, construction projects as well as backing board. One of the quickest and easiest ways to trim a body is scoring it with a hobby knife/razor blade. Pattern: For curved cuts on a piece of Lexan, you can use a jigsaw. Learn how to cut plexiglass by hand at A&C Plastics. Additionally, Diyhouze.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Dave Lehnert. Except, instead of wood fibers or particles, or even fiberglass mesh, you will be cutting through a lightweight plastic. You can also use Lexan as a layer to add extra insulation to a wide range of items, from your corrective lenses, protective windshields and bottles. One trick to help prevent splintering is to stick painter's tape over the cut line. Lexan is used for windshields on motorcycles, boats and cars. If this is the case, why not provide the highest quality polymers and plastics? If you will be cutting the plexiglass freehand, do not use any cutting guides. Plexiglas and Lexan are different materials: acrylic and polycarbonate, respectively. Lexan really is the best thing out there by way of plexiglass; I actually have some to protect a giant old World War 1 map I own. Warning: To make sure that you stay safe and avoid accidents from happening when you cut through these pieces of Lexan using circular saw, jig saw and table saw, you need to put on your safety glasses and dust mask. Step 2: After that, you can push the sheet into the saw. Acrylic is easy to work with but it’s also easy to mess up if you rush the process. Too fast and you might fracture the glass, too slow and the blade might jam and break. If you have a jigsaw, you can cut Plexiglas. You can cut tubes or pipes with a handsaw made for the job. It worked fast and smoothly. Lexan is a type of polycarbonate resin. Lexan is a strong, reliable alternative to glass. Switch the blade back around before you let anybody else use the skillsaw. I have a large piece (30x45) that I need to cut down to 13x22 and I'd rather not buy a special blade just for this one cut. Step 3: In case you think that the working surface is quite slippery, you can use duct tape on the edges or cover the lines on the sheet of Lexan that you are going to cut. Warmer paints evaporate faster once they land on the surface. Which Side to … However, it can scratch and dent quite easily. Shown below, this tool is one of the best ways to cut it. Plus the cut will not be very accurate. If you push it through too slowly, the blade could overheat and melt your plastic material. Even though plexiglass is a synthetic, a clean cut can sometimes be more difficult to achieve than with glass. Peel off the plastic on each side and remove the masking tape. Heat up your paint first. Sheet of 0.093" GE Lexan. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Lexan is a common material used in many home or construction projects. Lexan is a strong, reliable alternative to glass. As a polymer company, we are at the center of many products. Install a metal-cutting blade into the saw, with at least 10 teeth per inch of blade. One of the quickest and easiest ways to trim a body is scoring it with a hobby knife/razor blade. Lexan cuts really nice, just make sure you keep the cutter moving, if you sit in one place too long you will still melt. In case you use a blunt blade, not only will it take a longer time for you to cut, it also cause potential damages to yourself. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Score your cut line on the material with a knife. Center this over the cut line of your windshield. Proceed to cut the line without forcing the saw. Cutting Lexan can be quite similar to cutting a cement board. Follow the lines that you have marked on the sheet of Lexan slowly and steadily to avoid wobbles and unclear cuts. Check that you only a sharp blade. If you will be cutting the plexiglass freehand, do not use any cutting guides. Use C-clamps for extra stability. Is anyone setup to cut thick Lexan? This tip will help you easily cut plexiglass with no chips or breaks. Grab the Lexan with one hand on each side of the cut line and snap it in two. Lee Schierer Captain USNR(Ret) My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. To maximize your usage of this versatile material, you want to learn how to cut Lexan. At Polymershapes, we stand behind what our motto reflects. Home » Projects » How To Cut Lexan Polycarbonate. Steps . If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Why is Heartwood Darker in Color than Sapwood. Both materials cut well with a band saw or table saw using a high speed with small teeth. In this case, right in the middle between fast and slow is perfect. While it is a common material, many people struggle to learn how to cut Lexan. For smoother cuts, instead of making two spears close completely, you should stop when they are just about to close. Please Contribute . I got a scoring knife with the lexan but I couldnt actually score it well enough to break it. One trick to help prevent splintering is to stick painter's tape over the cut line. Lexan does not crack or splinter when you cut it. This tip will help you easily cut plexiglass with no chips or breaks. Once you've scored the initial line, go over it a few times with the blade until a groove forms. Mark its length and secure in a padded vise for protection. However, you should apply a moderate amount of pressure. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their dogs; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Step 3 Turn the tool on to 6 or 8 and begin the cut. What is Allium and How to Take Care of It? Easy online ordering for the ones who get it done along with 24/7 customer service, free technical support & more. Tip: Instead of drawing the cut line on the sheet of Lexan with a pencil, you should use duct tape to cover the line that you intend to cut. - YouTube That’s why we created this step-by-step guide on how to cut Lexan. Working naturally lowers your risk of having large chunks gouged from the Lexan material. You don’t ever want to cut Lexan with the saw at lower speeds. Start your circular saw and let it reach full speed. In general, sharp tooling with fine cutting teeth should be used to minimize vibration and clatter Sheets should be properly supported along the trim line before cutting. When you finish cutting, you can use medium grit to sand and make the edges of the cut pieces to become cleaner and smoother. This tool is able to reach for further areas without you having to cut through to it.​. Lexan is also known as Polycarbonate. Thickness of Lexan: In case a sheet of Lexan is thin and fragile, you should use a utility knife. Make sure you follow a slow and steady space so that you wouldn’t cut out of the intended line. Do you need one? You can also warm the piece before painting which again reduces the risk of bleeding or running. Lay your polycarbonate sheet over the edge of a flat surface. If you have a jigsaw, you can cut Plexiglas. When cutting into Lexan with a jigsaw, you first should clamp the Lexan tightly to a work table. Take your plastic and lay it out on a table or saw station. We cut aircraft windows with them for training. You’ll achieve very good results if you use a tool such as a circular saw or table saw as well. Turn on the jig saw and guide it toward the mark that you have drawn on the sheet. Push the Lexan sheet through the table saw at a moderately quick rate. Step 2: You don’t have to apply too much force. Still, it is also very convenient and will be a great substitute. Start your circular saw and let it reach full speed. Put masking tape or board tape on the foot of your skillsaw to keep it from scratching the surface of the plastic, if you've already removed the sheeting, or if you need to re-cut it after the sheeting has been removed. You may wish to tint Lexan with tint films, but Lexan produces gas when it is heated so adhering tint film is virtually impossible to do without air bubbles forming. You should always protect the Lexan with a cloth, clamp it in place, and use the right circular saw blade. For more tips and tricks on how to cut Lexan, be sure to reference this informative video: Those who are interested in learning how to cut Lexan also seem to want to learn the proper way to paint it. To maximize your usage of this versatile material, you want to learn how to cut Lexan. Cutting Lexan can be quite similar to cutting a cement board. To keep the saw from veering left or right on straight cuts, use a clamp-on guide. Plexiglass can be tricky to cut on a table saw. Shown below, this tool is one of the best ways to cut it. And if it is tougher and stiffer, you can use other tools including hand shears or a circular saw. Steps . Here are instructions for your. Step 3: Cut Through The Polycarbonate Sheet Continue to make your cut until you reach the end of the sheet. Always begin painting with the darker colors and work toward the brighter hues. A steady and slow push towards the blade is what you want for your sheet’s edges to come out as smooth as possible. Lexan is also known as Polycarbonate. Also check if the sheet of Lexan can stay firmly and stably on the working station. Move it in a slow and steady speed. What is the best way to cut Lexan? Any surface can work as long as the surface is flat, stable, and has an edge. Bending Lexan Step 1 Peel off the plastic from both sides of the Lexan. Dremel recommends that you start at a 45-degree angle when cutting into a piece of material. Using other tools might work but the risk of breaking the Lexan it’s high. How To Cut Lexan? You can use a small paintbrush to do touchup work on Lexan. You can cut Lexan with a circ. How to cut Lexan: Lexan Corrugated sheet can be cut with a variety of common hand-held and table-mounted equipment. Peel off the plastic on each side and remove the masking tape. Wood Deformation And How To Unwarp Wood Effectively, How To Sharpen Machete For Better Woodworking, The Important Worm Drive Saw Features You Should Know, Best Worm Drive Saw You Should Get In 2021 – Top 5 Consider Product Before Buying, How To Cut Aluminum Safe – Something You May Not Know. This lightweight, plastic or polycarbonate resin has high levels of optical clarity and durability. Step 1: First of all, you have to mount the table saw on the working table. Follow all of the steps on cutting Lexan for different tools and I am sure that you would be able to have very clean and smooth cuts from Lexan.