cutting with acrylic ?

[Foxfold]

Having just done a piece for myself, see below, I thought that cutting it in something just as thin but more robust than plywood would be worth a try. So I've bought some 3mm black acrylic sheets A4 so that I can give it a go. Any 'tips' before I start ? This stuff doesn't come that cheap over here so I'd prefer not to make a pigs ear out of it if possible. 

 

Edited December 16, 2023 by Foxfold

[Bill WIlson]

Acrylic will melt back into the kerf, as you saw, so you want to keep your speed down to minimize heat.  I cut a bunch of Christmas ornaments from 1/4" acrylic a few years ago.  I can't recall for certain, but I think I used a skip tooth blade.

[Roberta Moreton]

I make a sandwich with 1/8” plywood on the top and bottom. I think it’s the safest way.
You could also try cardboard. I use the cardboard from boxes of different dry goods from my pantry when cutting vinyl records. I always consider if the box is too good to throw away and might help with scrolling. 

[Millwab]

I use a crown tooth blade to cut acrylic for my teaching bank windows with no melting issues.

Olson recommends their PGT or Crown Tooth blades for plastic.  Pégas recommends their super skip or MGT blades. Couldn’t find a chart for Flying Dutchman. 

Hope this helps

[Dan]

I've put clear packing tape over acrylic and it almost eliminated the melting. Extra support, whether stacking acrylic or using thin plywood, I'd also suggest. 

[TAIrving]

I have cut acrylic and like to use a lighted base like this one.  4 Pieces 3D Night LED Light Lamp Base with 4 Pieces Clear Acrylic Sheets & Remote Controls and Charging Cables Adjustable 16 Colors 4 Modes for Child Room Bar (Square Style) - Amazon.com  

[clocks and more]

Good advise using clear packing tape. works foor me.

 

[Mabel H.]

blue tape works for me

[Bill WIlson]

I'm curious.  Most plastic sheet material comes with a paper covering to protect it from scratches.  I've always presumed that the adhesive in that paper acts in much the same way as masking or packing tape.  Thoughts?

[TAIrving]

1 hour ago, Bill WIlson said:

I'm curious.  Most plastic sheet material comes with a paper covering to protect it from scratches.  I've always presumed that the adhesive in that paper acts in much the same way as masking or packing tape.  Thoughts?

It has been a couple of years since I cut acrylic, but when I did, I cut it with the plastic sheet that came on it and was happy with the results, i.e. it protected the acrylic from scratches.  

[Dan]

4 hours ago, Bill WIlson said:

I'm curious.  Most plastic sheet material comes with a paper covering to protect it from scratches.  I've always presumed that the adhesive in that paper acts in much the same way as masking or packing tape.  Thoughts?

That's what I thought when I first cut acrylic sheets. Not the case. Probably not enough adhesive on the paper covering. Slowing the balde helped some but not enough to keep things from gluing back together. I put clear packing tape over the cut lines and had no melting. I can't remember what blades I used but it was before I started using Pegus blades.