James Bryant is the Founder of Cut My, an online retailer providing quality materials for home improvement and DIY projects. An avid DIY enthusiast himself, James started Cut My to share his passion for building and making things.
Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional builder, acrylic perspex is becoming one of the constructors’ preferred options – especially as it’s readily available from local and national perspex cutters. Coloured acrylic comes in various styles and clear acrylic sheets offer comparable optical clarity to glass. Encapsulated with glass-like clarity, strength and resistance, working with acrylic sheets does not demand specialised skills and techniques. These sheets can be cut with standard workshop tools including:
Power saws
Acrylic dowel or blocks
Hand saws
Over the years, many do-it-yourself projects have used perspex sheets to enhance their design and durability. However, if you are a DIY enthusiast and are finding it difficult to cut acrylic at home, then have a look at several ways (listed below) to cut acrylic to size (also sold as perspex and plexiglass), achieving the highest degree of precision.
Cutting with a Hand Saw
Most people prefer to cut acrylic using a hand saw. However, this technique demands more concentration when compared with electrical saws. To achieve the best result it is advisable to use a saw that has uniform teeth.
Cutting with a Scoring Knife
It is one of the easiest methods to cut acrylic table tops. The process doesn’t demand the use of a power saw or any other heavy-duty electrical equipment. However, the process requires the following steps:
Mark the area of the sheet you want to cut.
Use a scoring knife to cut a narrow groove in the acrylic sheeting
Scoring preferably works on sheets less than ¼” (6.35mm) in thickness.
Place the sheet over a hard edge with groove-side up.
Clamp the sheet if needed.
Bend the overhang side of the sheet with quick and even motion.
As the sheet bends, the groove will deepen as the crack propagates throughout the sheet.
Bending will result in the separation of two pieces (polycarbonate sheets) with relatively straight and clean edges.
Cutting with a Jigsaw
A jigsaw is one preferred tool for cutting acrylic sheets. It is a small handheld tool that can cut the sheet with the straight blade by function up and down in fast motion. However, if you intend to cut acrylic into a nonlinear fashion, a jigsaw is the right option for you. It helps to achieve precise results by cutting the edges into curves and angular form. However, it is advisable to experiment with the setting and positioning of the machine to gauge desired results.
Cutting with a Bandsaw
A band saw is best for cutting intricate shapes and curves. While using a band saw, it is important to carefully select the blade and feed rate of the machine to minimise the risk of melting or chipping the sheet. A band saw works best with a thickness greater than 0.472 inches. It helps to achieve clean and clear edges by retaining the sharpness of the material.
Cutting with a Laser
Laser systems are designed to achieve complex and defined cutting of acrylic. Laser cutting is one of the preferred options to cut the desired design. Connected to a computer, the laser cutter works as a printer to translate the design/image onto the piece of acrylic. If you need to create complex, intricate and creative shapes with acrylic, a laser is probably the better option.
We're Here to Help
Our Help Centre is available 24/7 to explore FAQs, discover DIY ideas and advice, and even ask our community of fellow DIY enthusiasts.
FALSE ADVERTISING BY CUT MY.
Your Order #000682056
Placed on 25 Mar 2024, 16:41:30
THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN 25 YEARS.
Just wanted a simple worktop cut for utility room and I've waited a month for it to arrive rather than a week as stated....the phoneline has been switched off...no reply to emails...wonder what condition my order will arrive in - IF it ever arrives?? I'd like my money back if CutMy can't deliver this straight forward order. Looks like no current customers are satisfied.
I'D BE COMPLETELY CRAZY TO USE THIS COMPANY AGAIN !
"Hello Amber Lovelle,
Great news! We've received your order.
Thank you for choosing Cut My, we will email you as soon as your order has been shipped which we expect to be on 8th April
If you have questions about your order you can email us at an email we don't reply to or call us on a helpline we've now switched off at 01903 389024."
Your Order #000682056
Placed on 25 Mar 2024, 16:41:30
Amber,
11 hours ago
Verified
Very friendly and efficient service
Very friendly and efficient service. Good product, quick delivery, and no complaints from me!
JT,
19 hours ago
Verified
Everything was perfect
Everything was perfect. Flawless!
customer,
1 day ago
So pleased I chose to repair instead of replace!
measured my damaged ikea nightstand tops and ordered melamine tops to match. They arrived well packaged, in about 10 days (I was not in a rush so did not mind the wait). I used the old, damaged tops as a template to drill new holes on the underside for the fixings and they look like NEW! So pleased I chose to repair instead of replace. It was so easy and saved me a huge amount of money.
Sheryl,
1 day ago
Verified
Accurate!
Boards were cut accurately and protected well for shipping. Despite this, one of the boards suffered slight damage.
Mr Sutherland,
1 day ago
Verified
All xut to correct size but order was…
All xut to correct size but order was late
Will use again
Mr David Cassels,
2 days ago
Verified
Arrived as described
Arrived as described, on time and ggod quality, thanks!
Fabian Chifor,
2 days ago
Verified
Nice ply / packed well but 2 of 4 undersized!
Nice ply / packed well.
Not sent that quickly & two of the 4 panel's (all supposed to be the same size) were slightly under sized so couldn't be used for the job intended!
Nigel Hall,
2 days ago
Verified
Profecional manner & a very good…
Profecional manner & a very good haircut, get what you ask for not what barber thinks would look best
Lee Finlayson,
2 days ago
Verified
Good service
Good service
D Armitage,
2 days ago
Verified
Excellent!
Excellent!
Dave,
2 days ago
Verified
trouble-free
trouble-free, fast delivery, well-packaged goods
GRZEGORZ STANUCH,
2 days ago
Verified
Ease of ordering
Ease of ordering
Communication
Product arriving well packaged
Sarah Mead,
2 days ago
Verified
Needed new Perspex windows for my shed…
Needed new Perspex windows for my shed and Cut My did a fine job with accurate cutting and smooth edges which fitted perfectly - having tried to cut Perspex myself at first I would recommend them strongly !
Oliver
Oliver ,
2 days ago
Verified
Very well packaged- very happy
Very well packaged, easy to use and a really good price. Really changed the room. The measurements on the site telling you exactly how much to measure between columns (when you order) is very helpful. It’s in a picture above the order section.
Anita,
2 days ago
Verified
Accurate cutting and well packaged
Accurate cutting and well packaged. Arrived at time expected. I have used this company before and will do again.
Robert Hall,
2 days ago
Verified
Perfect cut
Perfect cut , and great quality .
Katarzyna Zarska,
2 days ago
Verified
Very impressed with the finished…
Very impressed with the finished product. Fit perfectly on top of low level bookcase.
Mr Martin,
3 days ago
Verified
Excellent service.
The stuff I ordered was as I expected which should not be difficult as the ordering process was not a challenge. The thing that impressed me was that I picked it up myself. They have a few units on the industrial estate so I went to the wrong one. The person I spoke to was extremely helpful as were the other people I dealt with at the correct unit. The members of staff I spoke to are a tribute to their company. A big 5 stars from me
CHRIS PULLEN,
3 days ago
Verified
cut to perfect size as ordered
cut to perfect size as ordered
Endaff Bowen,
3 days ago
Subscribe to our email newsletter
Sign up here for our occasional email newsletter with new products, design ideas and discounts across our huge and growing range of products. (You can unsubscribe at any time of course.)