How to Cut Plexiglas

Plexiglas Framed Award

Plexiglas is a synthetic substitute for glass used in hundreds of applications where glass is not as safe or as suitable for the job. Manufacturers have their own ways of cutting and molding this acrylic glass but the average person will need to know how to cut it for their own personal projects. There are a few methods and even blades made for this job but it can also be done with some common household tools.

Things You'll Need

• Utility knife
• Masking tape
• Steel straight edge
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Tape the line that you want to cut with a straight piece of masking tape. One-inch wide tape should work fine. The tape will help keep the blade from slipping and sliding while you are trying to cut. Mark the tape with your cut line.

2. Lay the steel straight edge right on the tape along the line you just drew. Hold it firmly in place and make a pass over it with your utility knife. This pass will cut the tape and make a slight scratch on the Plexiglas.

3. Take the blade on your utility knife and break off the tip with your pliers. You want to make a strong scratch mark and the thin tip of the blade will not work well enough. Now drag the blunt edge of the utility knife along the edge of the straight edge several time until you get a good score into the surface of the Plexiglas.

4. Place the piece of Plexiglas on a table with a straight edge. If you have a board handy you can place it along the top edge of the piece you are cutting to hold it in place. Grasp the edge of the Plexiglas that you want to break off and push down firmly and quickly to snap it off. It helps of you have two people for this step.

5. Sand down the edge if you need a smoother cut. Remove the tape and wipe off any dust particles from the cutting. Your Plexiglas should now be ready for your project.

Tips & Warnings

• Score both sides if your Plexiglas is more than 1/4-inch thick. Rough edges can be smoothed with a butane torch.

Resources

• Working with Plexiglas