gorby
This bloke sounds like he knows what he's doing.
Youtube Video

Treehugger 著者
I also found this just now: Seems like maaaybe one can simply snap the plate in two pieces after making a cut on top and at the bottom:
wikihow.com/Cut-Acrylic-Sheets

I can see already that snapping off a small bit, like a thin strip, is going to be super hard, maybe impossible. Unless ofc, one could arrest the thin bit in something, and then push the large part, so that it all snaps in two.

Treehugger 著者
@Gorby Thanks for the video link! 🙂

My diorama base is ca 23cm x 48 cm. I found some acrylic panel nearby online where I live (store nearby). 60 x 60 cm (4mm thick), that should work I think. Ca €20 /pcs.

Steven Van Dyck
I regularly use the Tamiya engraving tool with a ruler to make deep cuts. It removes a curl of plastic and then you go again until you're almost through. That way I made the base of my Cylon Raider out of 2mm styrene plate. [img1]

Treehugger 著者
Btw, I found some cheaper wooden board (oak), but the thickness is 18mm, which seems a bit much. The acrylic plates are just 3-4 mm thick.
I wonder how one can clean up the edges though, after cracking the plates in pieces. Maybe a flat metal file, or perhaps a big coarse sanding stick?

Treehugger 著者
Hm, cheapest jigsaw I see is only €30 at my place (500W). Might try the saw after all.
According to the guy in the video, I must use a fine toothed blade to avoid chipping the acrylic material. Also important to start the machine and get the blade going long before you cut into the material, to avoid chipping the acrylic material.

gorby
In the video he said that if you use a jigsaw use a blade intended for cutting metal; turn off the orbital action and take the cut slowly.

Treehugger 著者
I see some add a piece of tape as well on the acryclic material where one is cutting, maybe a good idea.

Right, good idea about not using the orbital action. Saw this mentioned just now in some video. Made for a faster but rougher cut they said.

I'll buy a 20 or 25 teeth blade. Upward cutting (cuts against the machine for less movement/disturbance).

Guy on youtube said he prepares the cut material with liquid soap to cool the blade, says you mustn't try add soap onto a moving blade. Says it will be messy anyway, point being cleanup required afterwards.

Other guy on youtube says too fast speed on the blade makes the plastic melt, so he cuts at a slower speed he says.

Heated plastic afaik produces toxic fumes, but unsure how much when cutting with a jigsaw.

Btw, I made an online search for a laser cutter in my area, but couldn't find anything. 🙂