Best way to cut acrylic glass sheet material?

[DrSchmidt]

What's the best way to cut acrylic glass sheet material? I want to finish the U1 molds and for that I have to cut acrylic to get a plane against which I can laminate a proper edge (just like David did in the XXI molds). I tried cutting with a pad saw, but that occasionally resulted in cracks....

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Score and snap.

[DrSchmidt]

Do you have to score both sides?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Do you have to score both sides?

Yes, and deeply. A tool, something like this:

[DrSchmidt]

Thanks...I hate working with acrylic glass

[JHapprich]

I had good results with a good rough wood saw and water-cooling. Nothing fancy, but sharp counter-angled teeth. No fine saw blades, no grinders

[Subculture]

PMMA does vary hugely in quality. Some of it is like working with glass, others are much more forgiving. Good brands often ensure consistency.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

PMMA does vary hugely in quality. Some of it is like working with glass, others are much more forgiving. Good brands often ensure consistency.

Cast acrylic good. Extruded acrylic bad.

[DrSchmidt]

I have cast...that much I know

[redboat219]

Yes, and deeply. A tool, something like this:

How do you put the hook, ground or bent after heating?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

I have cast...that much I know

Cast is easier to heat-form and less likely to spontaneously crack. Extruded has none of these virtues.