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Thread: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

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    Waste not, Want not mudfud's Avatar
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    Default how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    hi again.

    looking for technical advice.

    I have an acrylic sheet 1/8 in thick, approx 16 x 20 inches, that was extra from my ginza vintage machine.

    I need to take 1/8 inch off the long dimension, to fit the nishijin or maruhon machine, since they are slightly narrower.

    how would you do this?

    I have a couple ideas, but I thought you guys might have some better ones.
    PachiTalk

    chewy's motto: life is plumbing

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    Kungishi Youngjedi's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    If you have a power sander, You can take it down that way...just watch out for melting plastic. Use gloves and eye protection.
    Youngjedi


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    Captain Weirdo Sid's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    router and a straight edge if you got it..
    safety equipment optional!

    "I've stopped fighting my inner demons, we are on the same side now."

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    MacGruber JACKSJE4's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    I used a metal straight edge and sharp utility knife to trim the acrylic on one of my machines. I sandwiched the acrylic between the metal straight edge and and a scrap piece of wood and used strong clamps to keep everything in position. I then made the first cut in the plastic slow and careful, then repeated about 10 times before the 1/8th inch piece came off nice and clean.

    You could probably use a router or Dremmel instead of the utility knife and get the same result.

    Good luck!
    Jeff Jackson, Denver CO

    There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

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    Pachi Puro pinball wizard's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    what i use is an air grinder fitted with a 50 grit disc.grind at the slowest possible speed so you don't melt the plastic.

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    Closet Okie Meathead's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    I cut a strip of acrylic for the chip area of my roulette table ( roulette table ) and used a table saw. I suppose if I had an appropriate blade it would have been perfect, but even with a carbide tipped wood cutting blade, it came out well.

    I'm curious how the manufacturers cut the stuff?
    A Hardy har har...

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    Waste not, Want not mudfud's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    I used a wood cutting blade in my small circular power saw once, and it really chipped and kicked. Bandsaws are nice, with a guide, but I don't have one.

    Going to see if I can find my router. If not the rotozip is second, belt sander 3rd.

    Thx for ideas.
    PachiTalk

    chewy's motto: life is plumbing

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    Pachi Puro Moparformances's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    i would go with a table saw for a nice straight cut if needed.. but a belt ansder sounds the allaround best for the small amount your wanting to remove...

    if u need a belt sander let me know ill bring it sat..
    Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, .......... /........ If your not going to stand behind our troops
    ...committed people can change the world. ............. /.................Please, Please stand in front of them
    .....Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has............./
    .........................................Margaret Mead

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    veneratio million deus Eddie's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    Table saw is the best or a router if you have a good straight table and the proper bit.
    Led Zepplin

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    Waste not, Want not mudfud's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    thanks for the ideas. I could NOT find my router , nor was I sure that I had the right bit for this, so I used my rotozip, which was... only so, so.

    it is not a perfect edge, I broke one tip, and I burned the template wood, but the slight ridges won't show in the frame. suppose I could smooth it out a bit with the belt sander - i DO know where that is...

    I sooo have to get organized. I barely found the clamps, and this really would have been a disaster without them! (ER doc visits ER with blade embedded in hand...)
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    PachiTalk

    chewy's motto: life is plumbing

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    Kungishi Youngjedi's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    A belt sander isn't really necessary now, Just take some sand paper and wrap it around a block of wood. All you need to do now is knock down the rough/sharp edges.
    Youngjedi


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    veneratio million deus Eddie's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    After you sand down the edge wave a torch across it to clear the edge. If you dont have a torch you can use a buffing wheel on your rotozip
    Led Zepplin

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    Tokie Owens leahmcee's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?


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    Waste not, Want not mudfud's Avatar
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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    thanks! those are great references.

    looks like my problem with chipping was vibration. I did not have the acrylic sheet firmly clamped the time that I tried with the hand power saw. either that or a dull blade.
    PachiTalk

    chewy's motto: life is plumbing

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    Default Re: how to cut 1/8 inch off the long edge of acrylic?

    Quote Originally Posted by leahmcee View Post



    Welcome to Pachitalk
    Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, .......... /........ If your not going to stand behind our troops
    ...committed people can change the world. ............. /.................Please, Please stand in front of them
    .....Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has............./
    .........................................Margaret Mead

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