Cutting perspex

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pramsay13
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Cutting perspex

Post by pramsay13 »

I need a bit of help as I wrecked nearly 1/2 sheet trying to get a piece.
When I score it with my hand held oil filled cutter it doesn't score enough to snap.
When I cut it with the bench-end guillotine it fractures and splinters both edges (I can put a board on top of it and cut through that as well and then it only fractures and splinters one side and this is how I eventually got the bit I needed).
I have an old fletcher wallmounted cutter that has the double sided cutter with a wheel for glass and a blade for perspex. The blade just seems to catch on the perspex and doesn't slice it.
Any bright ideas / tips?
BaBaZa
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by BaBaZa »

Use a Stanley Knife. Lights scores to start with
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silvercleave
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by silvercleave »

Use a stanley blade for scoring perspex,

Not a straight blade one or hooked blade but it is shaped to score when pulled towards you, have googl it and don't seem to be able to find one, sure someone will be along and let you know where to purchase one.

Ian
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by silvercleave »

here is a link to the correct blade:

http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp ... BER=11-941
China shop
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by China shop »

Depends on the thickness you are trying to cut but assuming it is 1.2mm or 2mm thick, you just need to score it with a normal stanley blade and then snap it along the edge of your bench.
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by Roboframer »

pramsay13 wrote: have an old fletcher wallmounted cutter that has the double sided cutter with a wheel for glass and a blade for perspex. The blade just seems to catch on the perspex and doesn't slice it.
Maybe you've got the blade the wrong way up? I don't know about this cutter but the keencut excalibur also has a blade for scoring (not 'slicing') perspex and it's the BACK of the blade's point that is used. It only protrudes from the housing about 1mm. Works fine.
Graysalchemy

Re: Cutting perspex

Post by Graysalchemy »

With my Keencut you turn the head round so that you score with the back of the main blade. It is also best if just a small amount of blade is used so as the blade doesn't dig in or warp. Once it is scored you then snap it along the score line.
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Jonny2morsos
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by Jonny2morsos »

I use very little perspex so I now order it cut to size and don't have the hassle of all the offcuts.
easypopsgcf
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by easypopsgcf »

pramsay13 wrote: When I score it with my hand held oil filled cutter it doesn't score enough to snap.
This is a sure fire way to kill your glass cutter, but it made me LOL :lol:
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by Mary »

I use a Fletcher ScoreMate, it does a great job and has lasted me for yonks http://www.lionpic.co.uk/product/FLETCH ... 886,0.aspx
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pramsay13
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by pramsay13 »

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll get the fletcher scoremate and give it a go.
And I'm glad I made you laugh easypops - I won't tell you what else I get up to sometimes.
easypopsgcf
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by easypopsgcf »

A sharp stanley knife and a decent L square is all you need, not just for perspex but for all board materials you'll ever come up against..........please tell me about the other stuff :lol:
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pramsay13
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Re: Cutting perspex

Post by pramsay13 »

easypopsgcf wrote:please tell me about the other stuff :lol:
Ha ha, I might start a new thread. I'm sure I'm not the only one...
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