Cutting acrylic with TS55

[live4ever]

A long time ago I had a custom object fabricated out of 3/8" thick white acrylic.  It has outlived its usefulness and just lives in the garage shop taking up space, so I'd like to salvage as much flat acrylic as I can out of it.  I'm sure I can find many great uses for the stuff around the shop. 

I got some plastic cutting blades for my jigsaw which should help getting flat pieces out and then I wanted to use the TS to get straight edges.  I'm thinking I need a non-ferrous blade for the TS?  I know Festool offers one but it's a bit pricey for this one-off salvage job - looking at the Oshlun.  Do I even need a special blade?  Any other tips about cutting this stuff?

 

[semenza]

I have cut acrylic with the 48T Fine blade several times. Not as thick as 3/8. I turned the speed down to 3 ( I think) no problems.

Seth

 

[Stone Message]

I cut a lot of this type of material using my TS55 with the 48 tooth blade and on the slowest speed possible. What you need to avoid is heat build up.

I do cross cuts on the Kapex again on the lowest speed setting.

Peter

 

[live4ever]

Thank you, gentlemen!  Sounds like I can do ok without getting a different blade. 

Got any ideas for good uses for this stuff?  [cool]

 

[rst]

I cut and fabricate plastics regularly.  Any wood blade will cut, but best results come using a triple chip negative tooth angle blade.  I cut wood, aluminum, brass, and plastics commercially and use plastic/aluminum blades in every saw I use excepting my steel cutters.  I buy AGE blades fromhttp://www.toolstoday.com/p-6095-festool-and-other-track-saw-machine-compatible-saw-blades in my 55 and 75.  I have Amana and Freud industrial blades on my stationary saws.