If you like doing everything yourself, chances are you often use acrylic sheets for various projects. Acrylic sheet is quite easy to cut. If the sheet used is quite thin, approximately less than 0.5 cm, you can use the scoring method. Otherwise, make sure you wear safety glasses before cutting, and earplugs if using an electric saw.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cutting Straight Lines with Acrylic Inch
Step 1. Prepare the acrylic surface on a flat surface
To make cutting easier, find a flat surface large enough to hold the plastic sheet. However, don't use flooring as you'll need edges to break the acrylic.
Step 2. Mark the lines
Start by determining where the acrylic will be cut. Measure and use a ruler to make straight lines. You can mark the lines with a permanent marker or oil pencil. You can simply use a ruler as a guide bar.
Step 3. Slice the line across the acrylic with a plastic stylus
Use a ruler as a guide, and cut along the lines using a plastic stylus in one smooth, continuous motion. Pull the bar towards you along the line. It's important to get a straight line on the first try because it guides the next.
Step 4. Deepen the cut using the incisor blade
Scratch the blade on the line several times until the slices are deep enough. If so, turn to acrylic. Draw a line following the trail of the slice. Cut several times.
Step 5. Break the acrylic sheet
Place the inscribed line right along the edge of the table. Use tongs to secure the sheet to the table and make the process easier. Break the acrylic sheet at the nick line by pressing the outer edges in a quick motion. Wrap your arms around one edge and use your body weight to press down.
Method 2 of 3: Sawing Acrylic
Step 1. Use a special blade for acrylic
For plastic, you will need a saw with multiple teeth. Look for a saw that says the product is for acrylic or plexiglass. You will need a smoother cut for this blade.
You can use a regular saw, but the cut will be more jagged
Step 2. Mark the pieces
Before you start, mark the area you want to cut with a permanent marker. You can make straight cuts using a power saw, table saw, or sword saw. You can produce a curved cut using a jigsaw saw. Use a long ruler if needed.
Apply masking tape to the cut line to help create a neater edge when cutting with a jigsaw
Step 3. Press the acrylic through the saw table for a straight cut
Start from one edge of the marking made. Push the acrylic through the saw table at a steady speed, while making sure your fingers are away from the saw. Don't work too fast because the edges of the cut can be rough, but don't go too slow either because the plastic can melt.
Step 4. Make a curved cut with a jigsaw
Position the acrylic glass on the 2 blocks so you can cut them using a jigsaw. Push the jigsaw from the outer edge toward your body along the drawn lines so be sure to always keep an eye on the saw blade and marking line. If the saw is stuck at an angle, pull the jigsaw out of the direction it came from, and cut it from the other edge.
Method 3 of 3: Sanding the Edges
Step 1. Smooth all the sharp edges with a metal file
Check for large saw cuts or scraping residue from the acrylic rim. Use a metal file to smooth it out evenly even with the cut edges
Step 2. Use 180 grit sandpaper (roughness level) to smooth the acrylic
Wet the paper or sanding block with water. Make sure the sandpaper is completely wet, and use it to smooth the edges of the acrylic. Switch to a finer sandpaper to smooth out the edges, and end with 600 grit sandpaper.
Purchase a special waterproof sandpaper for plastics
Step 3. Smooth the edges
Attach the sanding bit to the electric drill. Rub the sander with the polishing compound, and rub the edges until they are smooth and shiny. This step is important, but not mandatory.
