Cutting Lexan?

In article ,
"Bill Daniels" wrote:

"rip" wrote in message
news
File smooth, and then use an oxy-hydrogen torch with a soft flame. This
will give an instant flame polished edge. See your local plastic
supplier if you're not equipped to do this solo.

Rip


Right on, Rip. This is the slickest, easiest, most professional way to get
clean, clear edges on Lexan and Plexiglas. If you are really quick with
the torch, you can de-burr drilled holes this way too.

And -- if you are NOT quick with the torch? It is safer to use the
filing/ sanding/polishing technique.

"Orval Fairbairn" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"Bill Daniels" wrote:

"rip" wrote in message
news
File smooth, and then use an oxy-hydrogen torch with a soft flame.
This
will give an instant flame polished edge. See your local plastic
supplier if you're not equipped to do this solo.

Rip


Right on, Rip. This is the slickest, easiest, most professional way to
get
clean, clear edges on Lexan and Plexiglas. If you are really quick
with
the torch, you can de-burr drilled holes this way too.

And -- if you are NOT quick with the torch? It is safer to use the
filing/ sanding/polishing technique.

Safety has nothing to do with it. Just practice on scrap plastic until you
get the hang of it just like everything else you have to learn building an
airplane. Rip is talking about little more than a match sized flame. It's
a damn useful skill to have and it virtually eliminates any stress risers
that will cause the plastic to crack later.

Bill Daniels

Bill Daniels wrote ...
... a match sized flame ... virtually eliminates any stress risers
that will cause the plastic to crack later.


Eliminate _risers_? Yes. But I can't imagine a better way to induce
latent stresses in Lexan than to use a flame.


Daniel

"Daniel" wrote in message
om...
Bill Daniels wrote ...
... a match sized flame ... virtually eliminates any stress risers
that will cause the plastic to crack later.


Eliminate _risers_? Yes. But I can't imagine a better way to induce
latent stresses in Lexan than to use a flame.


Daniel

I learned the trick from a plastics fabricator - it works for me. Try it on
some scrap. If it doesn't work for you, do it another way.

Bill Daniels

Daniel wrote:

Bill Daniels wrote ...
... a match sized flame ... virtually eliminates any stress risers
that will cause the plastic to crack later.


Eliminate _risers_? Yes. But I can't imagine a better way to induce
latent stresses in Lexan than to use a flame.

The industry has been doing this for years. They call it "flame polishing".
There are even machines for that. We're not talking glass here.

- Holger