Cutting a sheet of ABS plastic

[Rocket1]

I have a sheet of ABS plastic that I need to cut. Its about 3/8" thick. My plan was to use a dremel and cutoff wheel but thought I would check for other suggestions.

Finish isn't the biggest concern for the current project but might matter on future projects.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have a sheet of ABS plastic that I need to cut. Its about 3/8" thick. My plan was to use a dremel and cutoff wheel but thought I would check for other suggestions.

Finish isn't the biggest concern for the current project but might matter on future projects.

Don't do that! I almost lost a thumb doing a similar thing.

Use a fine tooth veneer or wood saw. Or a heavy-duty scriber, which would take a lot of passes to cut through 3/8" sheet.

 

[wendell]

Band saw, jig saw, scroll saw. Anything that "cuts". You don't want to abrade the plastic because it will melt and gum up.

 

[chadster1]

A jig saw with a fine blade would be my recommendation.

 

[mkdive]

 

[Rocket1]

I don't think I have a jog saw... I'll have to check my cabinet when I get home.

 

[JSBriggs]

What is the length of cut? If its more than 12-18", I'd use a skil saw.

-Jeff

 

[eborcim]

How are you cutting it? Straight line or shaped? Straight line get a plastic cutting blade for a table saw or circular saw, they clean out faster and don't melt the plastic as much. Shaped line use a big-*** bandsaw, scroll saw, airbody saw, or jigsaw.

 

[tonydanzah]

i have used an angle grinder with a metal cutoff wheel several times with much sucess

 

[Mickey_D]

I have cut a lot of it with my Fesstool saw with the blade speed turned down low and it does great. Keep a good steady pressure (cut faster than you would on wood) so you don't burn/melt it. You can even rub the sides of your blade with blade lube or even wax and that will help with the appearance.

 

[Tool Pants]

ABS is that black plastic used for plumbing, correct. If so, I once made a small box out of sheet ABS. I used my chop saw with a carbide blade wood cutting blade. I may have also used my table saw. If you need to clean up the edges use a file. Easy to cut. Then I glued the box together with the black cement that is used for ABS plumbing fittings.

 

[rsanter]

tablesaw
bandsaw
jigsaw
hand saw

bob

 

[Rocket1]

ABS is that black plastic used for plumbing, correct. If so, I once made a small box out of sheet ABS. I used my chop saw with a carbide blade wood cutting blade. I may have also used my table saw. If you need to clean up the edges use a file. Easy to cut. Then I glued the box together with the black cement that is used for ABS plumbing fittings.

Yes ABS is used in plumbing. I am using the sheet to reinforce a interior panel. I bought some ABS Cement that is used in plumbing to experiment with. I'm hoping it will make a permanent bond that will not separate and not damage the visible side of the panel. I've tried fiberglass but the resin didn't bond like I thought.


To answer the other questions... It will be a Straight cut.

I do not have a table saw or a band saw that I can use so I'm limited. I do have a circular saw though.

 

[Diablo]

I sometimes have to cut those plastic lenses for flourescent lights, i find a 100 tooth 10 inch table saw blade installed backwards in my table saw works the best.

 

[DHCrocks]

for straight cuts score it with a utility knife on one side and bend it it'll snap with a clean edge.

 

[BlindViper]

Yes ABS is used in plumbing. I am using the sheet to reinforce a interior panel. I bought some ABS Cement that is used in plumbing to experiment with. I'm hoping it will make a permanent bond that will not separate and not damage the visible side of the panel. I've tried fiberglass but the resin didn't bond like I thought.


To answer the other questions... It will be a Straight cut.

I do not have a table saw or a band saw that I can use so I'm limited. I do have a circular saw though.

If circular saw will work however there is a risk of the saw binding and grabbing. I a jigsaw would be my first choice. If the cut is small use a handsaw.

 

[Thedroid]

I made many a machine guard out of different plastics. A Jigsaw is your best bet. I actually like a blade somewhere in between, as the super fine tooth can take forever to cut.

 

[mooman]

Yes ABS is used in plumbing. I am using the sheet to reinforce a interior panel. I bought some ABS Cement that is used in plumbing to experiment with. I'm hoping it will make a permanent bond that will not separate and not damage the visible side of the panel. I've tried fiberglass but the resin didn't bond like I thought.


To answer the other questions... It will be a Straight cut.

I do not have a table saw or a band saw that I can use so I'm limited. I do have a circular saw though.

Perfect reason to go out and buy yourself a good, variable speed jigsaw!!

 

[kerryt1]

Rotary cutting tool will make a messy cut. Bandsaw or jigsaw. I bought a B&D jigsaw for like $40 I think.

 

[american lockpicker]

Get a Bosch jigsaw. If you look at Lowes you might even be able to find a Swiss one.

 

[DanCo]

In a pinch I've used a plexi-glass cutter w/ a straight edge ruler.

 

[84scrambler]

a finish blade from a circular saw will be your easiest and best finish at least for acrylic it was. I never tried cutting ABS sheets like this but have lots of experience cutting acrylic sheet for fish tanks. If the piece is over sized try doing a practice cut and if it doesn't cut well you can always resort to a jigsaw.
I have never had any real luck with jigsaws, the blades walk all over the place and leave a horrible finish. Usually when your building sumps for fish tanks you would make your primary cuts on a table saw and do a final finish pass with a router. This combination gives you a good finished edge capable of creating a water tight seal when glued together.
A skil saw is just a portable version of a table saw. Clamp a level to the Sheet of plastic for a straight edge and run the saw at a constant speed to get your cut.

 

[jake00]

circ saw or router

 

[BlindViper]

a finish blade from a circular saw will be your easiest and best finish at least for acrylic it was. I never tried cutting ABS sheets like this but have lots of experience cutting acrylic sheet for fish tanks. If the piece is over sized try doing a practice cut and if it doesn't cut well you can always resort to a jigsaw.
I have never had any real luck with jigsaws, the blades walk all over the place and leave a horrible finish. Usually when your building sumps for fish tanks you would make your primary cuts on a table saw and do a final finish pass with a router. This combination gives you a good finished edge capable of creating a water tight seal when glued together.
A skil saw is just a portable version of a table saw. Clamp a level to the Sheet of plastic for a straight edge and run the saw at a constant speed to get your cut.

The quality of the jigsaw and the blades plus the user make the cut straight.

 

[Rocket1]

I found my jigsaw and was able to cut the plastic sheet. Worked out pretty well too. I ended up needing a smaller piece so I scored the plastic using a straight edge and a sharp utility knife. I had to score it several times but it worked very well.

Now if I could figure out just how to get the piece to bond to the panel I would be set. The cement I bought just doesn't want to bond to the panel. I've tried several methods but it hasn't worked. It's almost like the panel is too slick... I sanded the panel with 60 grit sand paper and tried again. I hope it works this time.

 

[Scooterfish]

Rocket, There is a glue thats is called E-500 or E-600.(I think) It`s supposed to work. Sorry I can`t remember more info.

 

[Rocket1]

I think I found what your talking about... Looks to be a crafts glue.

I think the ABS cement should work though. The other things I might try are acetone or some MEK to melt the two parts together. I've been able to experiment on a junk panel so that's helped a lot.

 

[2talltary]

Try cutting with any normal cutting tool. It should be ok. I buy abs a lot for making odds and ends and it always comes out great. Try http://www.iplasticsupply.com/materials/abs-cycolac-absylux-royalite-sheet-rod. They have a whole bunch of ABS in stock in lots of thicknesses and colors

 

[BlindViper]

yup way to read the thread and give a solution to a already solved year and a half old problem.....

 

[DHCrocks]

well since it's back from the dead....

I just used this this past weekend

it worked great on intricate cuts, if you need an inside corner or a curve this is the tool to use, much easier and cleaner then a jigsaw.

 

[fitz11]

The best way I have found is one of the oscillating tools made famous by fein and now copied by many others! I have a cheap harbor freight one it was only about $30 and it is awesome just use a straightedge and the half-moon cutter it comes with. This method works wonders with plexiglass too!

 

[fitz11]

DHCrocks beat me to it LOL what he said use a round blade for straight cuts though

 

[Jack Olsen]

For a straight cut, a circular saw and a fine cut blade (many teeth, not few) should be okay. Use a straight edge and score it first with a razor. A jig saw would also work.

A dremel or circular saw is going to be a nightmare for that. It gets hot and globby. It's also prone to cracking, especially as it ages. Even worse with UV.

 

[Bigbandguy]

I found this thread through an outside Google search for suggestions on cutting ABS for a project I am looking at. This very old thread solved a problem for me so thanks guys. No thread is out of date if it contains the information you were looking for. Who know, by bringing it back from the dead again somebody might come up with even more ideas !