cutting plastic with TS 55 495377

[Lucky Dave]

Need to cut 3/4" lucite. Does the 48 tooth 495377 blade produce acceptable results?

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Dave

I have cut a lot of clear and coloured Perspex using both my TS55 (with the 48 tooth blade) and my Kapex. The maximum thickness that I have used was 10 mm which is just over half of what you want to do.

I have used the lowest speed possible and taken the cuts quite gently in order to allow the swarf to get away. If it starts to heat up it can ruin the cut as the material starts to melt or get very sticky rather than coming off in thin flakes.

Peter

 

[rst]

I regularly cut up to 1/2" acrylics and polycarbonates with my 55 and 75, and up to 2" ABS.  Lucite I belive is a brand name for acrylic.  I cut my plastics with an AGE or Amana plastics blades that I buy from Toolstoday.  toolstoday.com

 

[Lucky Dave]

Thanks for the advice guys.  Tried the Festool blade first as I already had one.  Went slow and got a fairly clean cut. Not perfect, but quite usable for my purpose.

Now I want to drill a few holes and use a jig saw for two "window" cuts.  Any advice on technique for drilling and jig sawing?

 

[Stone Message]

Thanks for the advice guys.  Tried the Festool blade first as I already had one.  Went slow and got a fairly clean cut. Not perfect, but quite usable for my purpose.

Now I want to drill a few holes and use a jig saw for two "window" cuts.  Any advice on technique for drilling and jig sawing?

For drilling I have had quite good results with both brad point and Forstner style cutters. I have only used a jig saw a couple of times and some time ago. I think the general principle is to keep the speed low and not be too impatient. There is no need to have too much set on the blades and do not go too fine - I cannot put any numbers on this without trying it afresh so do test this yourself.

Peter

 

[rst]

Do not use regular drill bits.  Plastic drills use a scraping action and have a 90% entry angle.  Drill slow and pull the drill out frequently to allow it to cool.  Keep pressure low and do not force.  You can buy individual bits from craftics.net/ShowItems.aspx?Category=132&ParentCategory=87.  I have bit sets up to 1", but have a Festool sized tariff also.  You can also get a decent hole using Weldon countersinks with a smaller pilot hole to start

 

[antss]

This is as good a resource as any for jigsaw blade selection.
http://festoolusa.com/jigsaw-blades