Scrolling plexiglass

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

OK lets start a new topic. How many of you scroll plexiglass as a project in place of wood or even as accent pieces???  I am sure many have done it with ornaments. Lets see the projects. Also there was a person and now my memory is not what it use to be but scrolled plexiglass and frosted it somehow and I think they just sanded it but it looked sharp. Does anyone know who that was??  have some new ideas that maybe nice to try this coming winter. So lets fill this thread up with examples.

 

Also while we are at it lets give the blade we use and also any tricks or tips to do this.  If anyone has any particular patterns they want to share using this technique lets see them and please share. Thanks for the input. 

[lawson56]

Here's a couple of things I cut just yesterday,Out of Tinted Plexi Glass.They are for my Niece,Her name Pam.and her 1st and last letters.I used a #2 reverse and cut faster than normal,The plexi glass will melt if not.

[NC Scroller]

I have used some for baclings but have not cut any fret type pieces from it.  As careful as I have been it still has some melting thus creating a rough edge.  Remember you can't sand when done.

[Bill WIlson]

I cut 100 frework snowflake ornaments out of 1/4" polycarbonate this year.  Technically not plexiglass, but it poses similar challenges.  Sorry no pics.  I used an Olson #5 skip tooth blade.  I tried a couple different reverse tooth blades, but the kerf melted shut behind the cut, regardless of blade speed or feed rate.  The skip tooth blade left a little rougher edge than I normally like, but otherwise it cut very well.  The 1/4" material is thicker than I prefer for ornaments, but it was scrap material from work and I wanted to try scrolling it.  The ornaments were a big hit. 

[Dan]

Jim, you are right on sanding to make plexiglass frosted. I had a birdhouse with a plexiglass roof. During the winter the sun would reflect off it and drive us crazy. I took 220 grit to it and it looks great and no more reflections. 

 

As for other works, I have done some. I used FDUR#3 blades. At first it melted, but I put a layer of packing tape over the pattern and stacked 3 or 4 1/8" pieces with no melting at all. I like to soften the edges and have sanded them. You can also use a torch and do a quick pass over the edges to soften them. By soften I mean make them smoother. Sorry, no pics.

[Lucky2]

Here's a couple of things I cut just yesterday,Out of Tinted Plexi Glass.They are for my Niece,Her name Pam.and her 1st and last letters.I used a #2 reverse and cut faster than normal,The plexi glass will melt if not.

Well Bobby, your cutting experience with pexli is a whole lot different then mine is. I cut at a lot slower pace when cutting plexi, most people do. It is common knowledge that the plexi will melt/weld itself back together, if cut at to high of a speed. For me, when I cut plexi, I cut a a much slower pace then normal. Because if I don't, the plexi will bond itself back together. When I cut plexi, I use a skip tooth blade usually a #5 blade. I could cur it with a #3 blade, but, the #5 leaves a little better kerf width. And that, helps to stop the plexi from bonding back together. If possible it is best to leave the protective plastic on the plexi-glass, it helps lubricate the cut. I work mostly with plexi-glass mirror stock, rather then just clear plexi. So, I've never had the need to frost the glass. But, I have seen it done two different ways. The first way is to use a random orbital sander, it does a descent job but it takes a bit of time. The faster way to do it, is to sand-blast it. It's messier, but it does the job a lot faster.

Len

[bandaideman]

As Dan said  sanding was the way to make it look frosted..  I think Gayle at the Café has done this as well.  I found using duct tape on the plexiglass and then adhering the pattern to the pattern to the is. slow speed seems tp stop the melting. Sloan's used to have  tips

[amazingkevin]

OK lets start a new topic. How many of you scroll plexiglass as a project in place of wood or even as accent pieces???  I am sure many have done it with ornaments. Lets see the projects. Also there was a person and now my memory is not what it use to be but scrolled plexiglass and frosted it somehow and I think they just sanded it but it looked sharp. Does anyone know who that was??  have some new ideas that maybe nice to try this coming winter. So lets fill this thread up with examples.

 

Also while we are at it lets give the blade we use and also any tricks or tips to do this.  If anyone has any particular patterns they want to share using this technique lets see them and please share. Thanks for the input. 

the mans name is Jerry ,I forget what he goes by

SINGING SNOWMEN,,framed

December 09, 2016 - 01:23 PM

   someone asled to see this framed sooooooooooooooooooo here it is alomg with angel  (plexi) covered with contact paper  thanks for loking ND COMMENTS WELCOME

SINGING SNOWMEN

December 08, 2016 - 02:06 PM

3-D  SINGING SNOW MEN   cut with fd blade and 1/8 BBP.  8" X 10"  PAINTED   GLITTERED AND SET IN FRAME.tHANKS FOR PATTEREN AND COMMENTS WELCOME

sled

December 08, 2016 - 02:00 PM

 sled is about 12 lomg and 4 wide. Made from BBP 1/4" and cut with a 3  ; 4    stands about 5 tall. Paintedvin white and gold with little glitter,THANKS FOR LOOKING AND COMMENTS WELCOME

made ornaments

December 08, 2016 - 01:55 PM

 everything on this tree was scroll cut 1/8: plexi or 1/8 BBP thanks for looking comments welcome

plexi glass

December 05, 2016 - 12:26 PM

few to show made over 100 different ones.  1/8 plexi glass spraye twith glitter spray  Cut with FD 3 blade now just waiting for a tree lol   enjoy the look i hope and comments welcome.

Edited December 22, 2016 by amazingkevin

[Ron Johnson]

As a suggestion when cutting plexiglass I would cover both sides with masking tape, to keep the cut shavings from melting back. Then, cover the surfaces with thin cardboard and tape it in place. Attach the pattern to the cardboard.

When cutting, use a slow speed to reduce the heat generated. I would use a 2/0 reverse-tooth blade and a metal cabinet scraper to clean up any rough edges. For a frosted look, 220 grit paper should do the trick.

This same process could be applied when cutting vinyl records.

Will be trying this process to vinyl records in the New Year.

Edited December 22, 2016 by Ron Johnson

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I too am on the list of vinyl record cutting next year. That should be fun because it is a new medium for me.