How to Cut Plastic & Glass
Whether you're performing household repairs or you have a hobby that includes plastic and glass, you may need to know how to cut these two materials. With tools that you may already have lying around the house or that can be easily purchased at a local hardware store, you can cut varying types of plastic or glass easily. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hand saw
- Scissors
- Electric scissors
- Utility knife
- Nylon string
- Soldering iron
- Protective eye wear
- Protective gloves
- Glass cutter
- Small hammer
Instructions
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How to Cut Plastic
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Have your piece of plastic in hand. Knowing what type of plastic it is is necessary in order to use the proper implement for cutting. Measure the piece of plastic to the size you need it to be and have a clear line marked. You will score that line in order to cut the plastic. If the piece of plastic is made of acrylic, a scribing or utility knife is best to use. Score the line previously marked on the plastic with the knife. You can use a metal straight-edge to ensure that you keep the same straight line that you previously drew. Do this a couple of times without cutting all the way through. Move the piece of plastic so that the scored line is just over the edge of a table or workbench. Firmly press down with your hand on the table side of the plastic and lightly tap the side of the plastic hanging over the edge of the table with a small hammer until it breaks free.
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Use the hot tip of a soldering iron to cut all types of plastic. There are various tips for soldering irons. Ensure that the tip you are using is flat, like a standard head screwdriver. Allow the tip to heat and then melt through the plastic where the cut is wanted.You can also use power cordless scissors to cut through all types of plastic, especially heavier plastics.
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Use a hand saw with a thin blade or nylon string to cut through cylindrical plastic such as PVC pipe. Clearly mark where you want to cut the pipe. Use either a clamp or a strong, steady hand to hold one end of the pipe and cut along the marking with the saw. To use a nylon string, cut a piece of string and connect both ends to a piece of wood by cutting a small notch into each piece of wood and winding each end of the string around the wood. Use a clamp to hold the pipe steady. With each hand holding a piece of wood and creating a taut string, move the string in a back and forth motion over the pipe. It will cut cleanly and smoothly.
How to Cut Glass
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Have a piece of flat glass and a glass cutter in hand. Make sure that you're wearing protective gloves and eyewear when handling glass. Mark the glass where you want to cut it. You can use a straight-edge to ensure a straight line. Use the glass cutter to score the surface several times until you can feel a groove with your nail. Move the piece of glass so that the scored line is just over the edge of a table or workbench. Firmly press down with your hand on the side of the glass on the table and lightly tap the side of the glass hanging over the edge of the table with a small hammer until it breaks free.
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Cut a piece of shaped glass with wire and a tub of cold water. Mark a clear line on the glass where you want to cut it. Put on your gloves and protective eyewear and use a glass cutter or other sharp tool to score the surface until you feel a groove in the glass. Fill a tub with cold water that is deep enough to house the glass item just past the scored groove.
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Mold metal utility wire, the kind found in a roll at your local hardware store, around the entire glass groove to be cut. Remove the wire and heat the portion that will fit in to the groove. You can heat the wire with any type of flame such as a lighter or a lit candle. Heat the portion of the wire that will wrap around the glass for about a minute. When the wire is heated, wrap it around the glass item again in the scored groove and immerse the item in the cold tub of water so that the groove line is just below the water. The glass will separate at the point of the scored groove.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear protective eyewear and gloves when cutting plastic and glass.
