How to cut a plastic orb in half?

[Wes R]

I have a friend whose daughter loves pokemon so i thought since i have some clear plastic xmas ornaments i'd make her a pokeball that can hold a figure. Problem is how do i manage to cut it evenly without ruining it? I have until december to do it so at worst i can always buy her one later but i thought it would be neat to make at least one for her.

 

[actias]

Run some masking tape all the way around the diameter of the ball with the edge of the tape making the line to be cut. Use a Dremel and cut off wheel at a slow speed and gradually work your way around the ball. If you try to move to fast or use to high of a speed it will melt the plastic as you go. You don't want that. Then use a sanding block to smooth out the rough edges. Hope this helps.

 

[familyman]

To make sure you get the cut line straight Tape some string at the top of the ball and tie a pencil to the other en, then draw the line around the ball, the string will help keep the pencil the same height all the round.

 

[Wes R]

I'll give it a try i bought a bunch of the bulbs so at least if i mess up i got a backup.

 

[madmikeee]

I am a huge machete fan, You could also use a sawzall or chainsaw. Please video these attempts and share them

 

[Wes R]

Sad thing is that's what it'll look like with the dremel too lol. The plastic is really thin go i could even rig up my little xacto handsaw.

 

[ahoudini]

Cut two balls just beyond their equators and sand back each to its equator so that you get two nice halves and two discard halves rather than trying to get two nice halves out of one ball. I also think clear Christmas ornaments that open along their equator can be had inexpensively if you get too frustrated!

 

[Wes R]

Actually i'm looking into those right now. A bit pricey but in the end probably well worth it.