cutting plexiglass ?

[colliehauler]

I'm planning on putting plexiglass on the screen door but need to round the top coroners and cut out for the hinges and latch. What's the best way to cut it?

At the campground and do not have my power tools with me. I thought a Dremil or Roto zip would work well.

[bowebow]

I bought bronze acrylic from Lowes in Florida. They cut it to my measurements. I used a 12" disc sander to radius corners. Used a drawer pull on slide panel. Lowes in Michigan didn't carry bronze sheets but could be ordered. Cost to do $60

[cpaulsen]

I used my Dremel with small metal cutting wheels. Used blue tape where I was going to cut it. Used the Dremel to make my rounded corners with no problems. Leaves a little edge where it cuts but that pops right off. I cut mine so it fits right behind the screen in the door in a little slot. Made mine in separate pieces to I can remove some if needed depending on the weather.

[htowners]

A draw knife, which scores the surface.
Link
For attaching I used Velcro, however it gets messy if you take it in and out a lot. My old KZ 5th wheel had a grove on the door, that I could just flex the pieces in, and had a small suction cup to pull it out for removal.
Others have used the little screw clamps like are used for mounting a mirror to a wall.
Link

[Old_Ephram]

I was thinking about putting plexiglass on my screen door also. Now that we know how to cut it, how do you plan on attaching it. I'd like to be able to put it on and off as needed based on the weather.

[msb1766]

I just a bunch of plexiglass 4X8 sheets, I used these jig saw blades:
Plexiglass Blades

[Dustytuu]

CollieHauler, nice to see you on here..
We got our Plexiglas pre-cut at a place that sells Plexiglas in Colorado Springs. They also have the tinted Plexiglas. I am sure other places that sell it will do it too. They rounded the corners nicely for us. We also gave them the measurements and they did a great job.
Save your scraps to put in your cabinets to keep things from falling out when on the road. The medicine cabinet is one place that works great. Also we saved 2 larger pieces to put around the area cooking of the cook stove, to protect the wall.

I just saw your post where you fixed it already. I am a little late in my post. 🙂

[colliehauler]

Hiswar wrote:
I used RotoZip and it worked really well. Just have to go slow. Recently bought new trailer and have to make the same mod again as the old panels do not fit the new one.

Since I was away from home I borrowed a RotoZip and it cut through the plexiglass like butter.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Cummins12V98]

Unless you know what you are doing I would suggest going to a glass shop and have a piece cut to your specifications.

[cut_up]

If you feel you need to cut it, put painters blue tape over the line you are going to cut. Then mark the cut on the tape. I've done this with a scroll saw and a band saw with not problems. The edge will have to be cleaned up a little, but it's not a problem.

[DutchmenSport]

There are several construction materials that are cut by scoring and then snapping. Glass, plexiglass, drywall, ceramic floor tile, ceramic wall tile, stone, like stone pavers, coccrete blocks, brick, formica, and thin Styrofoam. I've done it this way on all 5hese materials over my lifetime.

My wife is currently into stained glass. Score. Snap.

Just an fyi. Good luck.

[PRodacy]

I have a laser that can cut plexiglass up to 1/4 inch thick. Leaves a polished edge, too. Can also engrave on the plastic. Look for a local laser cutter / etching service.

[Naio]

DutchmenSport wrote:
You score it, then snap it ... like a sheet of glass. To make a rounded edge,you score in straight lines. Each score begins to for a curve. Once you have the basic shape, you sand it or use a grinder on a drill.

I didn't know this! And I need to cut some soon :).

[mabynack]

harold1946 wrote:
A coping saw works quite well for cutting acrylic. Use a fine toothed blade and go slow enough not to melt the plastic. Local hardware store should have one for less than $10.00.

x2 on the coping saw. They're cheap and won't clog with melted plastic if you go slow.

[Clay_L]

DutchmenSport wrote:
You score it, then snap it ... like a sheet of glass. To make a rounded edge,you score in straight lines. Each score begins to for a curve. Once you have the basic shape, you sand it or use a grinder on a drill.

Good answer.