Cutting Lexan with the TS55

[nikev]

Hi,

I am wondering whether the universal saw blade for the TS55 will safely cut material like Lexan or polycarbonate. I see that the product info says "soft" plastics but I don't really know what that means, so I thought I would ask here to see if anybody had tried it.

Thanks in advance

Nike

 

[kdzito]

I used the blade that came with the TS55 to cut Lexan and had no problem.  Make sure you using a slow blade speed.  I've used mine on 1 and it still has enough power to cut 1/2" thick Lexan.

 

[tbellemare]

You can probably get away with using the Universal blade but the Aluminum blade is the one designed for hard plastic. It has a TC grind whereas the Universal blade is ATB. I would think it would depend on how much cutting you're talking about whether you would want to invest in the correct blade.

The Blade that comes with the TS 55 is the Fine Tooth blade and it will probably work also. The critical thing with cutting plastic is feed and speed. Like kdzito said, you need to slow the blade rotation way down and don't dwell or you melt it. Be sure your blade is sharp, as usual.

Tom

 

[johnsonri]

I've cut Lexan with the TS55 and the original blade. Indeed, use a slower speed. I get cleaner cuts when using a sacrificial board on top of the Lexan when cutting.

And..by all means, don't plunge into the Lexan at high speed!!! I know from experience that the Lexan can disintegrate into many small pieces that way 

You can also make the cut incrementally for a cleaner cut, depending on your needs. Make your first cut 1/16" deep or so, then second cut through.

Some folks suggest using tape along the cut line. I never used tape using the TS55. I never wanted to see what would happen if the tape happened to come loose and got wound up in the TS55...prolly would never happen...but odds were enough for me not to do it.

In fact, Lexan is how I came to find Festool as a company. I used to make Lexan computer cases, home theater chassis, etc some years ago.

The TS55 won't get you a flame polished edge, but it will certainly get the job done.

Rey