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How to Cut and then Polish Acrylic Sheets Perfectly

Dec. 13, 2021

Plexiglas acrylic sheet has become very popular recently; especially in the engineering, lighting, architectural and manufacturing industries, in fact it is so popular that it is now used by hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts as well. Its durability, versatility, flexibility and sustainability make acrylic a perfect, cheaper alternative to glass and other plastics.
Acrylic is really easy to use, as long as you know how to cut it properly. Follow these simple steps and you will be able to get very good results.

 

Cutting with a band saw

The tools you will need are: band saw, marker or oil pencil, goggles. The band saw is perfect for creating complex and non-linear shapes because it is able to cut thick acrylic with perfect precision. First, as in all cutting processes, mark the area you want to cut with a permanent marker or oil pencil.

 

Choosing the right blade

Choosing the right blade for cutting is important, especially if you are cutting curves into acrylic. For best results, the number of teeth per inch on the blade should decrease as the thickness of the Plexiglas increases. Keep in mind that the thickness of the material will also affect the choice of blade. Try using a different blade before making your final cut.

 

Start sawing

Before you start: Band saws can be very dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow the manufacturer's health and safety guidelines to ensure safe operation.
Once you have selected the correct blade width, you will need to find the correct feed rate. The feed rate is the rate at which the material is fed through the cutting blade. If the material is fed too quickly, the acrylic may melt or warp, so keep this in mind.


Caution

When you start cutting the acrylic sheet, put down the stiff brushes so they touch the tires that drive the blades. This helps remove the build-up of acrylic debris that can cause the blade to run out of alignment if not maintained. Continue cutting the acrylic to the shape you want - sanding may be required afterwards.

 

How to Cut and then Polish Acrylic Sheets Perfectly

Marble glitter decoration acrylic sheet plexiglass sheet pmma board

 


Sanding and polishing

After the cutting is complete, the acrylic sheet will have rough edges and you will need to polish it. You will need: metal file, sandpaper/sanding block, polishing wheel, drill bit.


Removing rough edges

It is important that the edges of the acrylic sheet are flat. Use a metal file to smooth out any large chunks that may have been left behind when scoring or using a saw.


Sanding the edges

While sandpaper is on the sandpaper, add water to the sandpaper. The sandpaper needs to be carefully wetted, so make sure you use enough water. Start sanding the edges from here. As the edge becomes smoother, keep changing the sandpaper to get a finer grit until you are left with 600 grit sandpaper.


Polishing the edges

With the 600 grit paper you should now have a smooth surface, but to get a shiny and clear surface you need to polish the edges of the Plexiglas sheet. Attach the polishing wheel to the drill and apply polish to the wheel or directly to the acrylic. From here, you can simply polish the edges until they have a shiny, smooth surface.

 

Jinan Modern Signs Plastic focuses on manufacturing and exporting new material like acrylic sheet, PMMA sheets, Plexiglass sheet, Perspex board, PVC foam sheet and APET material sheets, acrylic accessories etc. Welcome to contact us or send an email to info@jnmsplastic.com, we'll be happy to answer you and give you professional suggestions.

 

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