Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello
I have a 1/4 thick piece of acrylic I need to cut a inch off . I have a utility knife handy but if thats a bad idea will go buy what I need this weekend.
If anyone prefers different tool that fairly inexpensive as just need it once pleasse let me know. Worse case will take it to glass cutting place .

Thanks

save yourself a lot of grief and get it cut at the glass shop. i dont particularly like cutting 1/8" acrylic with a knife, much less 1/4". a glass shop would be the way to go, the cost will save you from having to buy a whole new piece if something goes wrong
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Thats makes a lot of sense . Will take it this coming week . It looked semi easy but your right its a stupid risk to take and no reason for it.

Thanks

Scoring acrylic is an extremely simple thing to do. Only taking off an inch is the most challanging (longer peice give more leverage) but you should still be able to do it no problem. Use a metal straight edge clamped in place and score it deeply, and multiple times. Get one or two people to hold the one inch side firmly on a table top, with the score right at the corner facing up. use a 2x4 to ensure equal presure and just press down swiftly and evenly on the larger part.

I have done this dozens of times and I have only cracked a piece once. And I was by myself trying to break a 60 inch cut length. I know, stupid...

The best way to cut acrylic without using power tools is by using a scoring blade. Usually places like Home Depot sell acrylic scoring blades at the same place they sell their acrylic. Also, in the hardware department they usually sell scoring blades designed to fit into utility knives.

The scoring blade has kind of a hooked edge to it which you draw across the plastic. As it cuts it will actually gouge out the plastic. You need to score it repeatedly [using a firmly clamped straight-edge] until you're at least halfway through the acrylic.

Then, holding the larger side of plastic flat on a larger surface like a table, use your hands or a pair of pliers to grab the other side [waste side] and quickly snap downwards - the whole piece should come off in one piece. I've had pieces break before where they don't all come off in one piece, but if you've scored deep enough you won't crack the piece you're trying to save.

If it didn't break cleanly use your pliers to snap the rest off and then use sand paper or an electric sander to smooth out any rough edges or any 'teeth' sticking up from where the piece broke unevenly. Cutting acrylic is tough but your best results will come from patience - just really score heavily into that piece before you go to snap it.
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Matt Campbell

Big animals, little animals, plants - right down to the sea itself. We need them, not just for their own sake, but because all this has to be here for everybody forever. Only one thing is certain: if we are to preserve our environment and save this priceless wildlife we need much, much more knowledge.
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Thank you both. I took it this am and had the glass place cut it it was 1 -2 -3 and no problem since they use a machine.

I am going to buy the tools you mention . As plan to practice on an extra piece I have . I would like to make an enclosure this summer and the doors will be acrylic . This door I ordered cut but miscalculated by 1 inch didnt want to risk trying to cut it so the glass cutting place was the best option.

thanks