What tool should I use to cut Acrylic?

sfarid123 · 12/02/2008, 09:52 PM

Hi,

I'm trying to cut acrylic sheets to make baffles for my 10g refugium. The Acrylic sheet is a little over 1/8" thick. What is the best tool I can use to get a clean decent cut?

Thanks

Blown76mav · 12/02/2008, 11:00 PM

router with a 2 flute sprial bit or a 3 flute sprial bit.

strat24 · 12/02/2008, 11:13 PM

I just cut alot of acrylic over the past few days (made overflow and sump) I used my 10" table say with a finishing blade on it without any problems.

jimnrose · 12/03/2008, 07:02 AM

I'm just about to do the same task (overflow box & baffles) and
thought the table saw blade might leave a rough edge finish thereby requiring a router (with spiral bit) to get a good edge for welding the joint. Is that correct????

crvz · 12/03/2008, 07:11 AM

Router or table saw with a plastics/laminates blade (~$8 at home depot that I use) would be the best bet.

crvz · 12/03/2008, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimnrose
I'm just about to do the same task (overflow box & baffles) and
thought the table saw blade might leave a rough edge finish thereby requiring a router (with spiral bit) to get a good edge for welding the joint. Is that correct????

Are you joining it to an acrylic sump? If so, a good clean edge is needed, but I've used a table saw with a quick sanding to clean it up with success. If you're making baffles for a glass tank, you'll use silicone and you don't have to worry about perfect edges.

Blown76mav · 12/03/2008, 09:18 AM

I use a table saw with a 80 tooth carbide blade for most cuts and then sand the edges with 80 grit sand paper. I should have clairified the router is for teeth, holes and some other stuff.

Playa-1 · 12/03/2008, 12:22 PM

I wouldn't use anything smaller then a 1/4" for Acrylic Baffles. You need a really good cut ,so you will be able to seal the baffles. I would use a table saw with the appropriate blade. You could just have the baffles cut to size for a minimal charge at an Acrylic or Glass Shop.

Darkstar22 · 12/03/2008, 12:46 PM

I just used a jigsaw with a semi-fine tooth blade. Works great. Although tablesaw is much more accurate, but I don't have one!

12/02/2008, 09:52 PM	#1
sfarid123 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: maryland Posts: 456	What tool should I use to cut Acrylic? Hi, I'm trying to cut acrylic sheets to make baffles for my 10g refugium. The Acrylic sheet is a little over 1/8" thick. What is the best tool I can use to get a clean decent cut? Thanks

12/02/2008, 11:00 PM	#2
Blown76mav Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lima, Oh Posts: 500	router with a 2 flute sprial bit or a 3 flute sprial bit. __________________ I thought that this tank was big enough, now I know I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 240g in wall, 150g sump.

12/03/2008, 07:11 AM	#5
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Router or table saw with a plastics/laminates blade (~$8 at home depot that I use) would be the best bet. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

12/03/2008, 09:18 AM	#7
Blown76mav Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lima, Oh Posts: 500	I use a table saw with a 80 tooth carbide blade for most cuts and then sand the edges with 80 grit sand paper. I should have clairified the router is for teeth, holes and some other stuff. __________________ I thought that this tank was big enough, now I know I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 240g in wall, 150g sump.

12/02/2008, 11:13 PM	#3
strat24 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NWI Posts: 236	I just cut alot of acrylic over the past few days (made overflow and sump) I used my 10" table say with a finishing blade on it without any problems.

12/03/2008, 07:02 AM	#4
jimnrose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Villages, Florida Posts: 1,093	I'm just about to do the same task (overflow box & baffles) and thought the table saw blade might leave a rough edge finish thereby requiring a router (with spiral bit) to get a good edge for welding the joint. Is that correct????

12/03/2008, 12:22 PM	#8
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I wouldn't use anything smaller then a 1/4" for Acrylic Baffles. You need a really good cut ,so you will be able to seal the baffles. I would use a table saw with the appropriate blade. You could just have the baffles cut to size for a minimal charge at an Acrylic or Glass Shop.

12/03/2008, 12:46 PM	#9
Darkstar22 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 718	I just used a jigsaw with a semi-fine tooth blade. Works great. Although tablesaw is much more accurate, but I don't have one!