How to Cut a Plastic Sheet
Cutting a plastic sheet thicker than 1/8 inch requires the use of a power saw. Many types of power saws will cut plastic sheeting, if they are equipped with the correct style blade. Blades designed to cut plywood have the proper amount of teeth and cutting ability to cut the plastic sheet. After you select the correct blade, you must provide support for the plastic sheet while you are cutting to keep the sheet from vibrating. If the plastic sheet vibrates, it can crack.
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Things You'll Need
- Jigsaw and blade
- Permanent marker
- Straight edge
- Tape measure
- C-clamps
- Utility knife
Instructions
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1
Secure the jigsaw blade in the jigsaw, put on your safety glasses and lay the plastic sheet on a firm, flat table.
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2
Stretch out the tape measure and place a mark with the permanent marker on the edge of the plastic sheet where you need to make the cut. Make a corresponding mark on the other edge of the sheet.
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3
Align the straight edge with the two marks that you placed on the plastic sheet in Step 2 and draw a line between the two marks with the permanent marker.
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4
Measure the distance from the edge of the jigsaw blade to the side of the blade guard attached to the jigsaw.
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5
Slide the plastic sheet to the end of the table with the cut line overhanging the end of the table by 1 inch.
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6
Place the straight edge on top of the plastic sheet and use the tape measure to set the straight edge the distance that you measured in Step 4 away from the cut line.
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7
Clamp the straight edge with two pairs of self-locking C-clamps to hold it in place.
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8
Rest the edge of the jigsaw's blade guard against the straight edge and make sure the blade aligns with cut line that you placed on the plastic sheet in Step 4.
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9
Cut the plastic sheet with the jigsaw, keeping the blade guard against the straight edge.
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10
Unclamp the straight edge, and run the utility knife along the cut to smooth the edge of the plastic sheet.
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