Penlan Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 (edited) What is the easiest way, without to much wastage, of cutting thin Acrylic sheets? I've ordered 'Evergreen' 0.005" & 0.010" clear Acrylic sheets. I don't have a laser cutter, etc., just handtools, scalpels etc., The purpose >>> Glazing 4mm scale coaches, thus small (around 12mm x 7mm) individual pieces. In the past, for me, Acrylic has been brittle, thus I wondering......... In the past I've used 0.005" microscope slip cover glass, but this is proving a fafff this days, and my eyesight is not that good either. With many thanks. PS - I searched RMweb, but couldn't see a straight answer, if there was one. Edited March 20, 2019 by Penlan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kylestrome Posted March 20, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 20, 2019 (edited) Quote What is the easiest way, without to much wastage, of cutting thin Acrylic sheets? The thinnest clear acrylic sheet that I use is 0.5mm thick which I just score with a knife and break, similar to how one cuts styrene. Holding along one side of the cut with smooth-jawed parallel pliers or a vice helps keep the break 'clean'. HTH, David Edited March 20, 2019 by Kylestrome Edited to include quote. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Worsdell forever Posted March 20, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 20, 2019 I thought Evergreen was all styrene? so shouldn't be any different to any other 'plasticard' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 (edited) That's very thin. I would expect it to break cleanly once you have scored it once or twice with a scalpel. Don't worry about not having a laser cutter. I would expect it would warp acrylic that thin. Mine does. Edited March 20, 2019 by Pete the Elaner Incomplete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 As mentioned above, the best method for cutting styrene is with a scalpel and a straight edge, however, some clear styrene's are crystal based and these are a little brittle, not quite as bad as acrylic though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doilum Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 5thou might cut with a pair of scissors? If using scalpel and ruler, try a sacrificial piece of graph paper underneath. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penlan Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 The reason I'm using such thin material, is that if it's much thicker, at an angle, there tends to be a double reflection of say the side of the window moulding/etch... Yes, even with my declining eyesight. Some 30+ years ago I had some resin moulded horse box kits and they have 15 thou glass in them - part of the moulding - I see the double reflection at the edges. Looks like scoring, then over a sharp edge, snap and go......... I will report back over the weekend. Many thanks for taking the time to reply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm 0-6-0 Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 For very thin material I'd use scissors. However the biggest problem I have with flush fitting is what adhesive to use so that it doesn't get on the exterior or interior surfaces. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted March 21, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 21, 2019 (edited) I've used a Silhouette Portrait cutter for cutting small shapes - it is a versatile machine. I know it's just over £100, but I bought it primarily for repeated cutting of a lot of (over 1000!) rectangles, but also used it for a few small cutting projects and I know it is totally capable of cutting 12 x 7 window panels. But I don't know how it will deal with acrylic sheet. Check out the dedicated silhouette thread. Cheers, Mick Edited March 21, 2019 by newbryford Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Malcolm 0-6-0 said: For very thin material I'd use scissors. However the biggest problem I have with flush fitting is what adhesive to use so that it doesn't get on the exterior or interior surfaces. Glue N Glaze possibly. https://deluxematerials.co.uk/collections/railway-1/products/glue-n-glaze Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm 0-6-0 Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 20 hours ago, Steamport Southport said: Glue N Glaze possibly. https://deluxematerials.co.uk/collections/railway-1/products/glue-n-glaze Jason Yes that's a good idea - usually I use Krystal Klear. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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