Acrylic cutter recommendations

[carolm1a]

Hi all, i know this probably isnt the right place to put it but....on the basis i want to sub on it i put it here

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a hobby version of a machine that cuts acrylic? I want to start making a product but havent got a budget for a huge machine.

Thanks guys xx

[webtrekker]

What thickness of acrylic? Thin stuff, up to about 3mm can be scored and snapped over the edge of a table. This produces a nice, straight and clean edge.

Thicker stuff can be cut with table saws with special blades, or routers with special acrylic cutters. The main problems with cutting acrylic are splintering and melting during cutting.

Also, if you want a smooth edge, you can run a flame along the edge to polish it, or use fine grades of sandpaper.

The best option, but way more expensive, is to buy a laser cutter, or have it laser cut at additional cost by an outside firm.

Bending acrylic is dead easy with a dedicated hot wire bender, which I've covered extensively in another thread (my own DIY version).

[carolm1a]

What thickness of acrylic? Thin stuff, up to about 3mm can be scored and snapped over the edge of a table. This produces a nice, straight and clean edge.

Thicker stuff can be cut with table saws with special blades, or routers with special acrylic cutters. The main problems with cutting acrylic are splintering and melting during cutting.

Also, if you want a smooth edge, you can run a flame along the edge to polish it, or use fine grades of sandpaper.

The best option, but way more expensive, is to buy a laser cutter, or have it laser cut at additional cost by an outside firm.

Bending acrylic is dead easy with a dedicated hot wire bender, which I've covered extensively in another thread (my own DIY version).

I think I might have to via the cutter route as I want to be able to cut and image and a name each time and they'll all be different. I was thinking a 2mm acrylic. x

[webtrekker]

Hmm... I know you said you wanted to sub on the acrylic in your first post. Have you tried this yet? Although it takes sublimation well, it's difficult to keep flat when cooling, which is why I eventually gave up on this. May be ok for very small items though.

[carolm1a]

Hmm... I know you said you wanted to sub on the acrylic in your first post. Have you tried this yet? Although it takes sublimation well, it's difficult to keep flat when cooling, which is why I eventually gave up on this. May be ok for very small items though.

i'll give it a go it would be a decent size piece of acrylic so i'll do a test one first before I go any further

[webtrekker]

i'll give it a go it would be a decent size piece of acrylic so i'll do a test one first before I go any further

If it's 2mm or 3mm acrylic it will flop around when you remove it from the press. I've tried weighting it down but it still tends to buckle slightly at the edges. Also, be careful what you lay on top of it as it will take up the pattern of book coverds etc! Best bet is to lay the hot acrylic between two sheets of toughened glass.

I 'cook' this stuff the same as aluminium sheet: 190°C for 60 secs.

[GoonerGary]

Laser cutting will automatically give it a nice smooth edge. If you search the forum, a link was provided for a company who do this.

[webtrekker]

It's pretty expensive though having pieces laser cut, especially when you consider that sheet acrylic is relatively cheap.

[carolm1a]

i'd been hoping that there was a small A4 size hobby cutter that was available rather than having to get a company to cut them. I'll maybe have a browse on ebay

[GoonerGary]

Using a saw or cutter leaves a cut with ridges and rough, whereas the laser leaves it very smooth as it melts the edges. The cost didn't bother me at the time as it was a high end product, but if you're doing small cheap items, I can understand that you'll need to keep costs low. I'll see if I can find the link later.