cutting corrigated fiberglass or plastic sheets

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
I need to cut 15 (24 by 96 inch) sheets of corrigated fiberglass or plastic clear sheets in half to use as a light source in a tractor shed I am building. What's the best way to cut them into 2 smaller sheets with out tearing the edges or breaking the panel.
 
I've used a circular saw with a plywood blade. Support the panels (lay them on a scrap piece of plywood) and set the saw so it just cuts through the panels....you want to avoid the panels flexing or flopping when you saw...
 
I too use a circular saw with a plywood blade, I flip the blade over so its running backwards. Makes for a smooth cut. Be sure to support it as others have advised.
 

I needed to cut some Lexan plastic. The saws that I tried made it crack a lot so used my grinder.
 
We used to cut plastic sheets all the time for signs. It is important to know what kind of plastic you are dealing with.

Polycarbonate i.e. Lexan, Hyzod, exc. cuts nicely on a table saw with a medium carbide blade if you tape both sides with masking tape. The sheet will probably have protective film on it anyway. It should be noted that you need a fairly powerful saw to avoid bogging and producing heat.

Acrylic i.e. plexiglass. is a whole different matter. It tends to shatter and not cut cleanly. I have had fairly good experience cutting with a bandsaw or sabresaw with a fine blade but it is kind of a crapshoot.

Good luck,

Brad
 
I normally cut the plastic on my table saw with a 80 tooth blade. A circular saw with a plywood blade would work good too. It might be good if you have it to clamp a piece of corrugated steel close over it to the cut to re-enforce it.
 
We use the same thing to cut plastic siding,we do a lot of siding work and every cut is with a DeWalt 4" grinder with a cutting blade,you can cut,trim and buff off any burr on the plastic as well.
 
Rather than cutting one sheet at a time, stacking several and cutting them together should reduce cracking/splintering.
 

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