Cutting Acrylic sheet

WingZero30

WingZero30

WingZero30

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Hi guys

I will be buying an acrylic sheet soon but I don't have a dremel or jigsaw. The sheet would need to be cut and shaped to resemble cooler master storm sniper window design. So what other tools I can use to cut the sheet and to give it a nice rounded edges? Or does it have to be the two tools mentioned above?

Many thanks
 
What about a coping saw? Or for more intricate work why not grab a fretsaw?

Drill a hole. Remove blade from one side of saw frame, put blade in hole and reattach blade to frame. Saw. Much easier to dremel or jigsaw I'd imagine.

For outside edges any saw will do, provided it has a high teeth per inch.
 
My other worry is that if I use saw, would it leave scratches on the sheet? Acrylic seems to scratch very easily. Also I need to drill holes at several points on the sheet so it can be attached to the panel. Could drilling holes on the acrylic result in breaking the sheet?
 
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Aslong as you take your time drilling you should be ok, some people use blunt metal drill bits to drill acrylic. I think you can also buy specific drills for the job.
 
If you struggle when you're drilling with "grabbing", then start off with a small bit, and re-drill the same hole working up.
 
All of the above but also to prevent marking leave the protective film in place and also cover the piece in overlapping masing tape (this will also make marking up easier when you come to plan your cuts)

clamp the job well and use wood to protect it from the clamps or vice.

It tends to break very easy along the line of least resistance when you get neat to the end of a job so be very careful in the last 1-2 cm.

hand fret saw done well and taking your time will look much nicer than a dremel job (sorry ocd-oc)
 
G-Dubs said:
All of the above but also to prevent marking leave the protective film in place and also cover the piece in overlapping masing tape (this will also make marking up easier when you come to plan your cuts)
Click to expand...

You mean I should place masking tape over the area where I will be marking the sheet?
 
+1 for the masking tape.put it all over the surface.it will protect from scratches plus you can mark out in pencil on it and see it clearly
 
yes very good advice. I will most likely be buying two acrylic sheets. So if I mess up on the first one which I hope I don't then I will know where I made the mistake and then just be more careful on the 2nd one.

I am also hoping to have access to members market as I am almost reaching 90 days. So I will try to see if there is already a storm sniper acrylic window available. If not then it's DIY time!!. This will also be my first time modding a window for my case. It feels pretty exciting :)
 
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The other generic advice with saws is to start the cut, go far enough in that you can put a clamp over the cut leaving a bit showing. Clamp it there. Then cut the rest starting at the other end. This stops the material tearing when youre nearly done.

Small hole then successive bigger ones is always good. Acrylic tends to melt if you go too fast, and as above a sharp, hopefully cheap drill bit can be quickly blunted by trying to drill holes in concrete with it.

Good luck
 
WingZero30 said:
yes very good advice. I will most likely be buying two acrylic sheets. So if I mess up on the first one which I hope I don't then I will know where I made the mistake and then just be more careful on the 2nd one.

I am also hoping to have access to members market as I am almost reaching 90 days. So I will try to see if there is already a storm sniper acrylic window available. If not then it's DIY time!!. This will also be my first time modding a window for my case. It feels pretty exciting :)
Click to expand...

Buying 2 sheets guarantees one of two things
1) You will do it perfect 1st time
2) You will make the same mistake twice :D
 
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