cutting acrylic rod?

[Sulla]

Can I cut 1/2 diammeter on a band saw? Do I need to slow the speed?

 

[Watson]

Can I cut 1/2 diammeter on a band saw? Do I need to slow the speed?

I use a Ryobi miter saw and it cuts clean

G

 

[Petseal]

Hey Sulla,
I have cut 3/8" with a band saw and had no problems.
What you may want to check is the teeth on the blade. My saw has a metal cutting blade so the teeth are small and close together.
If yours has wider, deeper teeth it may be for wood and could possibly cause the plastic to chip.
Don't know for sure so your best bet, as I am sure you are aware of, is try it with a piece of scrap first!
Best of luck, Petseal

 

[Great_Bizarro]

Use the slowest setting you can and it shouldn't melt back together. If you have a cheap band saw that doesn't have a way to change the speed you might be able to use a rheostat to slow it down, they use them on routers.

 

[kalarcana]

Andy,

What I've been using for my DS9 iso rods is simply a hack saw with a metal blade and a miter box. After that I wet-sand the ends with 800 grit paper and they look nice. BTW and OT, did you ever find the knife to cut the acrylic panels?


Rick

 

[Sulla]

Thanks. I did find the knife and it worked great.

I am going to try all three methods. Bandsaw, Handsaw, and Mitersaw. I have lots of material so scrapping some in persuit of the right saw is not an issue.

i'll post pixs of my results as soon as I get around to doing some kutting.

 

[Great_Bizarro]

The fastest way I have found is chuck it in a drill and spin it while you use a razor saw to cut it with. Just mask the end in the chuck so it doesn't get scratched. Next polish with wet dry paper and polish with acrylic floor polish.