Cutting A Hole In Acrylic Sheet

How to cut big egg shaped hole in a plexiglas.

Cutting a hole in acrylic sheet.

Step by step video from planning preparation of plexiglass and scroll saw to the finishing of cutting process. Measure the ruler against the cutting line and then draw the knife repeatedly down its edge gradually increasing the pressure with each pass. Make 5 10 scratches with the scoring knife along the straight edge until you ve cut about halfway. Mark or scribe the circle and drill a 1 4 inch pilot hole slightly inside the perimeter.

With a straightedge as a guide pull the blade toward you leaving a score mark. How to drill an acrylic sheet step 1. Score the cut line. Score the acrylic several more times along the same line then place the acrylic on the edge of the table and use light quick pressure to snap the piece in two.

Lay the 3 8 inch plywood on a firm flat surface that allows you to work easily and place the acrylic sheet on. Continue until you ve scored a deep line in the plexiglass it may take as many as ten or twelve scores then turn the slab over and repeat the process. Plexiglass can scratch easily which is why it s sold with a protective. It s not as easy as i thought it would be.

For straight cuts in acrylic a plastic scoring blade can be used. Begin cutting along the line you made when preparing the acrylic sheet. Put on your safety. Make sure the cutting attachment is cutting straight up and down and not at an angle.

The scrap piece you are cutting off should be over the edge since a fall when it is cut off might damage the acrylic. Snap the acrylic at the cut. How to cut acrylic by hand clamp down the straight edge on the cut line. Use a saber saw or jigsaw with a fine toothed blade for larger circles.

If the hole you intend to cut will be 2 square inches you should tape an area twice that size. When cutting the acrylic sheet you should try to avoid touching this coating as much as possible to retain the original outlook of the surface. Apply strips of painter s tape over the area to be cut in parallel strips allowing some overlap from one strip to the next. This will prevent damage while cutting and allow you to draw a template on the acrylic or plastic.

Here s what i ve learned about cutting acrylic with a hole saw.