Bearhawk Aircraft Bearhawk Tailwheels LLC Eric Newton's Builder Manuals Bearhawk Plans Bearhawk Store

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Cutting Acrylic

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Cutting Acrylic

    Please school me on the best way to cut acrylic

    I initially used an air compressor powered jigsaw, but it was melting the edges a bit, …… then I tried the scoring method which was an epic FAIL.

    Please HELP
    N678C
    https://eaabuilderslog.org/?blprojec...=7pfctcIVW&add
    Revo Sunglasses Ambassador
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ0...tBJLdV8HB_jSIA

  • #2
    A cut off wheel on a die grinder works well. Mark

    Comment


    • #3
      I scored it with a drywall knife with the break-away blades. I had a few slips but managed to keep it clean. I used masking tape for protection so I could put the straight edge on the good part. This way, if the blade slipped, it would hit the area that I was cutting off anyway. I clamped the straight edge down so I didn't have to worry about it moving.

      Start off slowly so you can get a nice straight line for the blade to follow. It took quite a while to get through. Keep the blades fresh and have plenty on hand. It's tough stuff and it eats the blades up.
      4-Place QB kit #111. First flight May 2022.
      IO-470 - 260hp

      Comment


      • #4
        What Mark said. Way too easy, no breakages. You can do corners too. Then just gently run a file along the edges to tidy it up.
        Nev Bailey
        Christchurch, NZ

        BearhawkBlog.com - Safety & Maintenance Notes
        YouTube - Build and flying channel
        Builders Log - We build planes

        Comment


        • #5
          Yep. What Mark and Nev said. I use a Harbor Freight 3" pneumatic cutoff tool. Cheap and works great.
          Lee
          Patrol QB #312
          Buchanan Airfield
          Concord, CA

          Comment


          • #6
            I found the die grinder a little too energetic and hard to control when I cut my RV-8 canopy. I'm a Dremel guy. I found a small metal cutting wheel with small teeth and that worked for me

            Comment


            • #7
              I used an angle grinder with a cut-off wheel (3/64" wheel for metal). I have done my rear passenger windows like this and had no issues. I cleaned up the edges with a fine file and a bit of sandpaper.
              -------------------
              Mark

              Maule M5-235C C-GJFK
              Bearhawk 4A #1078 (Scratch building - C-GPFG reserved)
              RV-8 C-GURV (Sold)

              Comment


              • #8
                Sounds like the need is for detail cuts in curves. Long straight cuts are great on a table saw.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Light&Sweet View Post
                  Sounds like the need is for detail cuts in curves. Long straight cuts are great on a table saw.
                  The table saw I have access to is not able to make a 17” wide cut.

                  I put a new blade in the pneumatic jigsaw and the cutting was much easier and I got the results I needed
                  N678C
                  https://eaabuilderslog.org/?blprojec...=7pfctcIVW&add
                  Revo Sunglasses Ambassador
                  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ0...tBJLdV8HB_jSIA

                  Comment

                  Working...
                  X