Acrylic is easy to fabricate with the right tools. RIVER PEOPLE PLEXIGLASS (RP) shares practical tips for cutting, drilling and polishing acrylic sheets.
Cutting
- Thin sheets (1-3mm): Score with a utility knife and snap
- Medium (3-10mm): Circular saw with fine-tooth blade, or band saw
- Thick (10mm+): Band saw or CNC router
- Laser cutting: Best for complex shapes and sealed edges
Drilling
- Use a twist drill bit designed for acrylic
- Drill slowly and support the back side to prevent chipping
- Peck drill to clear chips
Polishing
- Flame polishing: Quick, for thin edges
- Diamond polishing: Best for thick panels and optical applications
- Sanding + buffing: For scratches and rough edges
Bending and Gluing
- Heat bending: Line bender for 2-10mm, oven for thicker
- Gluing: Use acrylic cement (CHCl3 or Weld-On 4)