Thick, durable plastic is often used to make PVC pipes, remote control cars, or hobby miniatures. Depending on the type of plastic you're cutting, you can use a saw, hacksaw, or table saw with blades that don't melt the plastic. You can also drill a few small holes with a drill to make the plastic easier to cut, or cut thick plastic with thread.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Sawing Thick Plastic
Step 1. Use a saw blade to cut the plastic
When using this saw, clamp the plastic you want to cut on the table with C clamps. The saw makes use of the entire length of the blade, and you should move the saw back and forth smoothly and quickly through the object being cut. The use of a small, fine-tooth saw allows you to cut thick plastic accurately without damaging the plastic.
- While any saw can be used to cut plastic, a large-toothed saw will tear and damage the plastic. Some of these saw blade products are sold in blade or razor shapes that can be used with one hand easily.
- You can also get a serrated saw at a hobby shop because this product is often used to cut plastic models and figurines.
Step 2. Cut the plastic using a jigsaw
When using a jigsaw, hold the plastic to be sawed firmly, or clamp it with C clamps on a table. Press the saw's power button to get the blade moving before it hits the plastic. Hold the handle of the jigsaw steady, then use firm pressure to cut the plastic.
- Jigsaws are perfect for cutting tough plastic objects, including PVC pipes. The length of the jigsaw blade is about 20 cm so it is not suitable for cutting anything detailed (eg for cutting plastic in small circles).
- Jigsaws and saw blades can be found at hardware or hardware stores.
Step 3. Cut the thick plastic with a table saw using a blade that does not melt the plastic
Turn on the table saw, and place the plastic you want to cut on the flat surface of the saw table. Grasp the plastic on both sides, then slowly push it forward until it touches the saw blade. Continue to push the plastic forward slowly and steadily until the plastic cuts off.
- When cutting thick plastic with a table saw, the heated blade can melt the plastic. Prevent this from happening by cutting thick plastic with blades that do not melt the plastic. A blade like this will not be hot enough to melt the plastic. These saw blades have equidistant teeth placed close together.
- These blades can be found at hardware or hardware stores.
Method 2 of 3: Making Multiple Holes with a Drill for Easy Cutting
Step 1. Use a small drill bit
Directly cutting thick plastic items is often difficult, even if you've used a saw or a sharp knife. You can cut the plastic easily by making a few small holes in the plastic. To do this, you will need an electric drill and a small drill bit. Use a drill bit with a diameter of less than 30 mm.
If you don't have an electric drill and drill bits of different sizes, you can buy one at a hardware or hardware store
Step 2. Make a minimum of 6 holes in the plastic that you want to cut or remove
Choose a small drill bit to make 6 to 10 holes in the piece of plastic you want to cut or remove. Make the holes as close to each other as possible to weaken the plastic structure.
- This method is perfect for cutting things that are detailed, such as hobby miniatures.
- To cut very large pieces of plastic, you can drill lots of small holes all over the surface of the plastic. This method can even be applied to cutting heavy PVC pipes. The process is laborious and time consuming, but you can cut the plastic accurately.
Step 3. Cut from one hole to the next
Use a hobby knife (or cutter) to cut the plastic between all the holes you made. You may find it difficult to cut thick plastic. Because many parts of the plastic have been perforated (so that the connecting material becomes less), the plastic to be cut is weak and easy to cut.
Versatile knives are also known as hobby knives. You can buy it at a craft or hobby store
Method 3 of 3: Slicing Plastic Using Thread
Step 1. Check thread resistance
You will need about 60 cm of thread to cut the plastic. Grasp the thread and jerk your hands outwards with moderate force. If the thread is slightly flexible and doesn't break, you can use it to cut plastic.
You can buy cotton or polyester thread at a sewing or hobby shop
Step 2. Firmly clamp the plastic object between the knees
The plastic to be cut must be positioned stably if you want to cut it with thread. Clamp the plastic between the knees because your hands should be free.
Depending on the shape and size of the plastic, you can also clamp it to the workbench using C clamps. However, this is risky because the plastic can break if you press too hard with the clamps
Step 3. Move the thread back and forth to start small incisions
It's a good idea to place the thread in a corner or along the edge of the plastic, and start moving it back and forth. After a while, the thread will make a small groove in the plastic. Place the yarn in this small groove and continue to move it back and forth. The grooves will deepen and will eventually cut through the plastic.
This process requires patience and a long time. Cutting thick plastic with thread (for example when you want to make changes to a remote control car or handling hobby models and miniatures) is effective, but can take a very long time
Step 4. Change the thread if it is hot or frayed
Continue to move the thread back and forth until the plastic is cut. If the thread is already hot (because it rubs against the plastic), replace it with a new one. Hot threads are more likely to break. Take a few inches of new yarn, and continue cutting.
The cut plastic will have a very clean and smooth cut, without any rough, jagged marks
Warning
- Always take precautions when using saws and knives. Do not let your body hit by sharp objects.
- When using a table saw, keep your fingers and hands away from the blade so you don't hurt yourself. Do not wear loose clothing when using a table saw, and wear protective eyewear as well.
- When using power tools, try to find out if you feel comfortable wearing thick gloves. Using these thick gloves can make it easier or even more difficult if you are in an emergency situation because you have little time to react when the glove gets caught in a rotating tool.
