cutting polycarbonate sheets
 

I'm getting ready to line the inside of my greenhouse with that 1in thick polycarbonate if i can find a way to get it to my house a big greenhouse by me went out of biz and the salvage yard will sell me the poly that is 4ft wide 1inch thick and 18 ft long the problem i'm having is cutting the stuff ,maybe fine tooth jig saw , or maybe someone can help.

a tool called a roto zip might work or a dremal with a rotozip blade


the blade is like a drill bit but actually for cutting ...just make sure you do the cut slowly so you dont actually melt the ploy instad of cutting or the bit gets gunked up with melted poly
or a skill saw with a bled designed for formica counter tops might work also get a blade with as many teethas possible to make a smooth cut......a router might work too

I've used a fine tooth hacksaw, but that's a big job with all you have to do.

Dremel has a new tool -- the Dremel Trio. Uses a roto-zip type cutter. Check your local Home Depot or online at HomeDepot.com. $99, free shipping

Charlie

I think i might try a grinder with a thin blade. or the rotozip with the like 3in blades.

Is it a solid 1 inch thick? What about a skill saw with fine tooth blade?

Maureen

I have never cut any sheets this thick. I assume that it is either twin or triple wall. I have cut the 8mm panels and used a fine toothed paneling blade in a regular Skill saw. No problems!

yes jerry it is twin walled but seens like a hard plastic it won't chip with a fine toothed blade on a saw.

Hello ericst11, I searched many websites on web for your question and i found some useful links.
www-plastic-craft-com visit here for more information

hope this will help you.

need to get it to a tablesaw. turn the blade around backwards. DO not push it backwards thru the saw instead of turning the blade around. slowly feed it thru. to polish the edges up you can use fine sandpaper or a palm sander. Use a mask goggles and protect your skin from flying particles of polycarbonate. The dust is not good for your lungs or your eyes in fact it can irritate your skin and leave you itchy very itchy.

we use this method to cut plexiglass sheets for hockey. works well and doesnt chip chunks out of the edges.

If you cant get it to a tablesaw you can use a hand power saw the same way. But I will not recommend this bec its dangerous and can kick back and hurt you seriously. Tablesaw is best.

:twocents:

Sawsall. GH construction crews us ethem all the time.

I see that this is an old thread that has been revived. The OP hasn't posted here in more than a year. But anyway; I have used a circular saw ("skill saw"), with the standard blade that is used for cutting lumber, to cut both multiwall polycarbonate and 1/4" thick polycarbonate.

Manufacturers recommend, and I have always used a saber saw. The problem I foresee with any high speed tool like a roto-zip is melting the plastic and clogging the bit.

These manufacturers and vendors suggest or recommend standard woodworking circular saws:
http://www.plexiglas.com/pdf/guidelines.pdf
http://www.sheffieldplastics.com/web...02_Mak_Fab.pdf
http://igcusa.com/catalogs/Multi%20Install.pdf