Cutting THICK plexiglass

ScottT1980 · 11-30-2003, 11:31 AM

Ok, so I have another question regarding my baffles...

With my previous sump designs, I got some pretty thin pieces of plexiglass, pieces that could easily be scored with a straight-edge razor. Because I am working with a 30 gallon tank now, I bought a much thicker piece of plexiglass. I have a nice plastic cutting knife but I don't know if it is going to do the job...

I thought about a circular saw, turning the blade around so that the teeth spin "away" from the plexiglass but I am afraid it might crack the piece.

Any ideas or do you think a knife will work?

Thanks
Scott T.

Pakmule · 11-30-2003, 01:36 PM

First how thick is thick....If it's a 1/4" you can use your circular saw how many teeth on your blade you want at least 60. Then just take your time through the cut Shouldn't be a problem make sure it's supported. I like using my table saw easier to keep a straight cut.

ScottT1980 · 11-30-2003, 01:43 PM

It is 3/16" thick...so it is still relatively flexible...

I am scoring right now just to see if it is going to work (I have plenty to work with) but it is certainly a tedious process...

I might have to buy a new blade if I want to use a circular saw (wish I had a table saw)...

Thanks
Scott T.

Pakmule · 11-30-2003, 01:47 PM

Yeah 3/16" isn't really to thick and because it's so flexible it may crack unless supported real good. Like putting it on a piece of plywood and cutting both at the same time. Using a knife has got to be tough.

Pro_builder · 11-30-2003, 01:54 PM

If you get a blade for your circular saw, get a carbide tipped blade, there is more set to the blade, therefore you have less heat that is transfered to the plexiglass.

Pakmule · 11-30-2003, 01:59 PM

Yes Sir and it will last for many more Acrylic projects

Dennis7 · 11-30-2003, 02:09 PM

I agree with Pro_Builder to get a carbide blade. I use a 80 tooth blade on my 10" tablesaw. If your circular saw is 7 1/4" dia blade use something like a 40 tooth carbide blade with Alternate Top Bevel teeth.

wooddood · 11-30-2003, 04:13 PM

they sell laminate blades that are carbide toothed,less chipping but they cost a little more,if not go with pros idea but i would get as many teeth as possible,finer cut just dont rush it.cut slower and at a steady speed to keep from melting the plastic.

jks1 · 11-30-2003, 04:37 PM

agree with above, you can cut acrylic or plexi with a circular saw or table saw. Blades w/ more than 60 teeth are best. You can use a blowtorch to smooth the edges after you glue it up.

ScottT1980 · 11-30-2003, 04:50 PM

Thanks to everyone's suggestions and I definitly know what I will do NEXT time. It took me a good 2 hours to hand cut 4 pieces with a plasti cutting knife...

It was very tedious and very slow going but I think I have them sufficiently cut. Have a couple siliconed in and it is just a waiting game at this point.

Karma to everyone!!

Take er easy
Scott T.

11-30-2003, 11:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
ScottT1980 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,484 View Gallery Karma Komment	Cutting THICK plexiglass Ok, so I have another question regarding my baffles... With my previous sump designs, I got some pretty thin pieces of plexiglass, pieces that could easily be scored with a straight-edge razor. Because I am working with a 30 gallon tank now, I bought a much thicker piece of plexiglass. I have a nice plastic cutting knife but I don't know if it is going to do the job... I thought about a circular saw, turning the blade around so that the teeth spin "away" from the plexiglass but I am afraid it might crack the piece. Any ideas or do you think a knife will work? Thanks Scott T.

11-30-2003, 01:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pakmule Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ct Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	First how thick is thick....If it's a 1/4" you can use your circular saw how many teeth on your blade you want at least 60. Then just take your time through the cut Shouldn't be a problem make sure it's supported. I like using my table saw easier to keep a straight cut. __________________ 125 gallon AGA 3 - 4" DSB, 180lbs Figi, 3-175W 10,000K MH 2-160W Atinic VHO tubes, sump,refugium, berlin skimmer Iwaki main pump, 2-hagen 802's, CoralReactions Calcium Reactor,and now a 90 gallon aga is on the better side of being setup

11-30-2003, 01:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
ScottT1980 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,484 View Gallery Karma Komment	It is 3/16" thick...so it is still relatively flexible... I am scoring right now just to see if it is going to work (I have plenty to work with) but it is certainly a tedious process... I might have to buy a new blade if I want to use a circular saw (wish I had a table saw)... Thanks Scott T. __________________ My Tank

11-30-2003, 01:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pakmule Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ct Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yeah 3/16" isn't really to thick and because it's so flexible it may crack unless supported real good. Like putting it on a piece of plywood and cutting both at the same time. Using a knife has got to be tough. __________________ 125 gallon AGA 3 - 4" DSB, 180lbs Figi, 3-175W 10,000K MH 2-160W Atinic VHO tubes, sump,refugium, berlin skimmer Iwaki main pump, 2-hagen 802's, CoralReactions Calcium Reactor,and now a 90 gallon aga is on the better side of being setup

11-30-2003, 01:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	If you get a blade for your circular saw, get a carbide tipped blade, there is more set to the blade, therefore you have less heat that is transfered to the plexiglass. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

11-30-2003, 01:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pakmule Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ct Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yes Sir and it will last for many more Acrylic projects __________________ 125 gallon AGA 3 - 4" DSB, 180lbs Figi, 3-175W 10,000K MH 2-160W Atinic VHO tubes, sump,refugium, berlin skimmer Iwaki main pump, 2-hagen 802's, CoralReactions Calcium Reactor,and now a 90 gallon aga is on the better side of being setup

11-30-2003, 02:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dennis7 Ricordea Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 190 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree with Pro_Builder to get a carbide blade. I use a 80 tooth blade on my 10" tablesaw. If your circular saw is 7 1/4" dia blade use something like a 40 tooth carbide blade with Alternate Top Bevel teeth. __________________ Dennis 120 gal/tank, custom overflow in center, closed-loop on a Squid, custom sump,Reef Concepts skimmer, CA reactor, Refugium gravity feed into tank, Lighting: 2 - 250 watt MH's, 4- 55 watt PC's, and 110 watt VHO. 12 gal NanoCube, with 2-32 watt PC's and a 13 watt PC, in a custom hood.

11-30-2003, 04:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	they sell laminate blades that are carbide toothed,less chipping but they cost a little more,if not go with pros idea but i would get as many teeth as possible,finer cut just dont rush it.cut slower and at a steady speed to keep from melting the plastic. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave. Last edited by wooddood : 11-30-2003 at 04:22 PM.

11-30-2003, 04:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	agree with above, you can cut acrylic or plexi with a circular saw or table saw. Blades w/ more than 60 teeth are best. You can use a blowtorch to smooth the edges after you glue it up. __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

11-30-2003, 04:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
ScottT1980 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,484 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks to everyone's suggestions and I definitly know what I will do NEXT time. It took me a good 2 hours to hand cut 4 pieces with a plasti cutting knife... It was very tedious and very slow going but I think I have them sufficiently cut. Have a couple siliconed in and it is just a waiting game at this point. Karma to everyone!! Take er easy Scott T. __________________ My Tank

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