Kinda OT since is not for a pin, but since some of you are quite handy I gotta ask.

Where can I get some acrylic panels cheaper than Home-Depot, Rona,etc ? I need them in different sizes 1/4"(or 6mm).

And second... how do I cut them? From what I gathered the shatter quite easy and with powertools they kinda start to melt. I'm gonna need mosly straight line cuts, but they need to be accurate (and straight lol).

Any ideas would be appreciated
thanks

band saw works wonder. else "une scie sauteuse" will also work.


ps: I have a nice special on Novus to clean them

Home Depot has a small knife with a hooked blade that is excellent for straight cuts in acrylic, it's usually next to the acrylic panels.  To cut you just score the line you want to cut with the knife 5-6 times (depending on the thickness) then snap the rest.  It takes very little effort and leaves a nice, clean cut.

newf

Yeah I saw that knife... but for 6mm(1/4") i think is not gonna do it. I'm trying to figure out if I can cut it with a jig-saw or a dremmel...

BTW: Anyone knows where to get Acrylic( or Plexiglass.. or something lke that) cheaper than Home-Depot? Like in Montreal or close.

Stay away from the Dremmel if you want a somwhat straight cut.  I use the jigsaw for that and it's always worked well.  GO SLOW!  It melts the material when you go too fast and leads to rough cuts and chipped corners.  Also leave the protective paper on both sides for the cutting (common sense)..

Mike

Try Plastiques Algar - 514 341-0271   They are a OEM Manufacture of Plastics products and may sell acrylic sheet.

Quoted from Splitskull

Yeah I saw that knife... but for 6mm(1/4") i think is not gonna do it. I'm trying to figure out if I can cut it with a jig-saw or a dremmel...

BTW: Anyone knows where to get Acrylic( or Plexiglass.. or something lke that) cheaper than Home-Depot? Like in Montreal or close.

I've used it on 1/4", you just have to score it a few more times.  That knife is sharp and will cut through with enough passes.

I buy my plexi from a plastics dealer here in London called Parker Plastics. I'll bet there's a similar place in Montreal. The place I go to will cut the piece to my specs for no charge. I think the last smoked video game bezel plexi I had cut cost me about $16. If you call a glass/window dealer, they should be able to tell you who supplies their lexan and plexi. Deal directly with the supplier to save some $.

Further, I've cut video game marquees on a table saw a number of times with good results. Leaves a straight edge and takes about 10 seconds.

Here are a couple of of on-line guides to reproducing plastics:
1. http://www.thekingofpayne.com/reproplastics.htm#Introduction go to the "Methods for Cutting Plastic"
2. http://www4.pair.com/gribnif/pinball/plastic/#gen and look at the "Plastics" section.
Lot of photos. I hope these links will help.
mfl

I used a router and a flush trim bit to cuty my acrylic and to do my button holes.  Had no melting, chipping or shattering issues.  Use a sawboard for straight lines.

As mentioned here before, a bandsaw sounds like it would work best (thought I never tried, since I don't have access to one) ... I have used a knife before, for straight lines, worked great!
For PF plastics, I used lexan, from Home Depot, and used one of those high-speed dremel-like tools that use the 1/8" cutting bits (like drywaller's use to cut holes).
Mounted the tool under a piece of plywood, like a table, and run the lexan over the top, like a table jigsaw. Works great for fancy curves .. but needs a lot of sanding afterwords.
Benchtop belt sander works wonders for that.

I cut 1/4" 'Optix' acrylic on a wet tile saw and it worked perfect. Wet tile saws are a bit messy but they keep the plastic cool and leave a nice edge for sanding... Worked very well.