Can you melt lexan

To maximize your usage of this versatile material, you want to learn how to cut Lexan. Cutting Lexan with most any saw is possible.

Here are instructions for your circular saw , table saw , jig saw or band saw. Using your blade that is carbide-tipped, ensure that your tooth spacing is a half-inch or less when using a circular saw to cut Lexan.

They should also have alternating degree bevels in order to effectively reduce unnecessary chipping. Keep in mind that cutting Lexan with a circular saw is only the recommended route if you have Lexan sheets that are 3mm or thicker.

Lay your Lexan sheet flat on your workbench. Place the off-cut over the edge. Score your cut line on the material with a knife. Make sure you use a straightedge to effectively guide your knife.

Start your circular saw and let it reach full speed. Proceed to cut the line without forcing the saw. Working naturally lowers your risk of having large chunks gouged from the Lexan material.

Continue to make your cut until you reach the end of the sheet. Ensure that the off-cut falls freely. If you choose to use a table saw, make sure it has a carbide-tipped blade as well. Push the Lexan sheet through the table saw at a moderately quick rate. If you push it through too slowly, the blade could overheat and melt your plastic material. If you want to cut curves in the Lexan, use a jig saw or band saw.

With either of these tools, you need to use a metal-cutting blade with a tooth spacing of two to four millimeters. Joined Feb 7, Messages 4, I have cut alot of Polycarbonate I would use the mill 2 flute endmill highest rpm on your mill and have at it.

It will cutlike butter. Joined Jul 26, Messages 4, I agree: KEEP the part moving. Lexan is easy to melt. The form had an ogee shape. I ran the cutter fast,and kept it moving. Machined beautifully. I couldn't believe you could hammer silver over plastic,and took a spare piece,and beat it as hard as I could with a large ball pein hammer.

Remarkable stuff!! Very hard to damage. Heat,though,it won't stand. Joined Oct 4, Messages I think everyone is right a 2 flute router but at high rpms does great. Cuts better than acrylic because you don't have the melting problems. Don't try it on a laser unlike acrylic it just burns in my experience. But I don't have that many hours on a laser so if someone knows how please post. I would love to know. With the shape you posted how critical is the exact shape.

You may cut the slots on a table saw. That would be easy to jig and faster if square end cuts would be ok. Phils69 Active User Registered. Joined Oct 27, Messages Like the others said, use a 2 flute end mill but I would highly recommend coolant or a spray mist.

You must log in or register to reply here. It can take up to an hour for ads to appear on the page. As the part temperature gets normal, open that wooden case and make some correction via the grind machine. Not Helpful 6 Helpful 2. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

If the area to bend is on an outer curve or bend, or if you want to create a tighter corner, try using a frying pan on LOW heat to hold the plastic area to bend. Once heated it will bend easily. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. The reason this works is because acrylic plastic actually melts at F. Try to actually melt plastic waste pieces to see if they will join and pour or flow into tighter molds.

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Don't heat to more than F. Helpful 6 Not Helpful 2. Make sure you use heat cold resistant gloves. They will still get hot as you work. Helpful 4 Not Helpful 6. Related wikiHows How to. How to. Co-authors: 7. Updated: April 10, Categories: Acrylic.

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times. My husband is going to make acrylic shapes as a guide to run my daughter's sewing machine along the side for quilting straight lines or wavy patterns. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. About This Article Co-authors: 7. Monica Myers Feb 19, Robby Matthew Mar 2, So for little projects, this has been golden.

Lane Henderson-Mainor Sep 21, I'm ready to make a sword out of an acrylic pipe now! Jim Satterwhite Jul 28, Thank you! Patrick Gleaton Sep 14, Very helpful and easy to understand.