Scroll saw… plexiglass cutting

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Trying to cut plexiglass with a scroll saw. Any pinned blade recommendations?
Tried jig saw with plexiglass blades but it bound up. Used water but it got difficult to do curved cuts and such. I’ve watched many people cut plexiglass with a jigsaw and no water. Scroll saw should be easy but I’m getting melting at any speed even with water. Trying to cut 1/4”.

 

[LXCam]

If your saw is variable speed, slow it way down so it doesn’t build so much heat.

Are you using these:

3-5/8 in. x 13 TPI Plexiglass Bi-Metal Jigsaw Blade (5-Pack)

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

If your saw is variable speed, slow it way down so it doesn’t build so much heat.

Are you using these:

3-5/8 in. x 13 TPI Plexiglass Bi-Metal Jigsaw Blade (5-Pack)

I am. But I’m more interested in using the scroll saw at this point. I’ll cut the majority with the jig saw. It’s not MY projects but my ladies. I’m just allowing her to use my tools lol!

 

[LXCam]

I got ya, i missed that entirely. I don’t know if they make a scroll saw blade with enough of a kerf to help in this case. If you’ve got the patience I’d used the most course blade you can find and try to do some tweeking.

 

[Firebrick43]

You need a blade with a wide crown set on the teeth. This gives a wide kerf so the back edge of the blade doesn't rub and melt the plastic.

Also air works better as a coolant.

Tape the cut line and use a little wd40 as a lubricant and helps keep the plastic from fusing into the gullets of the blade.

 

[dnschmidt]

This is brutal. I have a DeWalt scroll saw which is likely the best available and has variable speed but to be honest I've never had much luck with Plexiglas. Better luck with Lexan.

 

[californiamilleghia]

most shops cutting plexiglas use a router,

But I would also like to use a jigsaw if I could find a blade that works

 

[johnre]

I would suggest a #7 extended gap skip tooth blade. Chart made up by the manufacturer of my scroll saw is here - and yes, these are all pinless blades.

I can take my saw down to 100 strokes/minute, and for this material I would slow it all the way down.

It’s not MY projects but my ladies. I’m just allowing her to use my tools lol!

If this is her first use of such a tool, she picked a very difficult material to learn with. No disrespect intended - she does know that you can only feed into the front of the blade and she isn't side loading it, yes?

 

[OccupantRJ]

A variable speed bandsaw with a 6 tooth per inch blade at 125 linear feet per minute will cut the hell out of plexiglass or polycarbonate (Lexan). I dealt with both materials for years. If I needed smooth edges I milled them on a Bridgeport mill. I realize most people do not have that, but I did, so it got used.

 

[RTM]

If you really want smooth edges, one of my vendors uses a torch to smooth them. No idea how hot, or how long the exposure is, bit it works fantastically. No snagging of cleaning cloths when wiped down daily.

 

[niget2002]

If you really want smooth edges, one of my vendors uses a torch to smooth them. No idea how hot, or how long the exposure is, bit it works fantastically. No snagging of cleaning cloths when wiped down daily.

I do this too after cutting. Leaves a nice 'polished edge' finish. I use a small handheld propane torch. I turn it on on a fairly low setting and just run the edge of the plastic through the flame. It doesn't take much to clean the edge.

I cut mine on the bandsaw, though.