How to Easily Cut Plexiglass

[@thomaskelly3617]

Outstanding recommendation! Thank you for taking the time to record this

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamescrain2]

So I came to KZbin U. this afternoon for a quick course on cutting & drilling Lexan b/c I'd never done that. And I found... (a) use a draw knife & snap, (b) use a utility knife & snap, (c) cut on a table saw, (d) "cut" with a hot soldering iron (really!), (e) cut with a skill saw (w/o reversing the blade), and finally (f) this video about cutting with a skill saw with a reversed blade. Since I'm terrible at scoring (can't cut glass to save my life), wasn't interested in using a soldering iron, and don't have a table saw, that left using my skill saw. I had a steel cutting blade with a high tooth count, put it on backwards, and I got some nice cuts that way. The job was a good'un! 🙂 Thanks to your viewer for the tip and to you for the video.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Excellent!

[@DunFiddlin]

Thanks for that, good tip, and special thanks for making it a 4 minute video where you explain everything, some would have made that video last 25 minutes! Clear and concise! Will watch again when we start on our greenhouse :)

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks for the comment Dave. Thought I would try and make it short, I know what you mean about some taking a long way round a short route :)

[@thegriffinsden3383]

holding the saw blade while the power is connected makes my spine tingle.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

fair point

[@montiac22]

I'm 70 years old and had forgotten about this trick for 50 plus years when I worked for a general contractor right out of High School. Not only did you remind me but it brought back memories of working for one of the best mentors anyone could ever have hoped to work for.

[@yocz2007]

Your tutorial is the best with clear information, no music, no-nonsense. I thank you for the tip!

[@carladelagnomes]

Wow! I didn't know you could reverse the blade and cut plexi. Thank you for pointing that out!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

My pleasure Carla :)

[@beaguykouwijzer9920]

Thanks for this great advise. I could easily cut a Plexiglass sheet without damaging it .. Guy from Belgium

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

You are welcome :)

[@frederickessien8532]

thanks a million for saving me the time and frustration in cutting this beautiful hard-ass glass.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad I could help!

[@EdKenney19]

Sweet. Making a pet door in a window and I'll need to cut a piece of plexiglass. This is brilliant! Thank you from Boston!

[@tannaclark4195]

my dad told me that trick years ago but when cutting metal like sheets of tin I wouldn’t of thought it would’ve worked for plexiglass but thanks for the tip

[@billyblackie9417]

Now that is a great and brilliant idea. I need to use plexiglass in the windows of my shed and want to make a green house and frames for covering newly sewed seeds amongst many other projects. Fair play to you for this remarkable tip

[@Mrbobinge]

Only yesterday I bought a plate of 6mm transparent acrylic and sweated on how to cut it (credit card obviously informed KZbin of the purchase, in Denmark!). Now, I'll get a fuller nights sleep. Huge thanks. No circ-saw in this garage, gonna try Japanese hand pull-saw on this small job (it cuts backwards, crazy but true).

[@timbob987]

Great vid. You also sold me on the quiet Dewalt cir saw. Gotta get me one of those.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Definitely a great saw :)

[@ridinrancher9443]

Thanks for the video. I am building a greenhouse and need to cut various shapes in my plexiglass. Reversing the blade advice saved me time. 🙏👌

[@carolineowen7846]

Thank you Steve! such Diamond timing, I'm looking into making a cold frame. My garden is too small for a greenhouse, but the seedlings will need frost protection, in tneir seed trays before planting out, once I get sowing in the early spring. Yes, I to, have learnt 'how to do' so much, from watching youtube videos .... you name it ... laying a block path, errecting fences, repairing my shed, building a raised bed, (& dismantling a pallet the easy way to!) fixing my car, apart from the girlie stuff of course like crochet / knitting and making face coverings.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Great stuff Caroline :)

[@stephenkennedy3020]

Great tip! Also, FYI this same trick is fantastic for cutting roofing tin panels ;D As a side comment...A good thing for the safetyminded to know (that may not use these particular cordless tools) is that on nearly all cordless saw-type tools now there is a two-step process required to start the tools. While it is good practice to unplug tools when doing things like this, It would be impossible (from my experience) to accidentally turn one of these particular two-step tools on whilest changing a blade. In all cases, know your own tools and be safe. This gentleman was in no danger and seemed safetyminded.

[@GwenMotoGirl]

Thanks! This works well for cutting corrugated metal, but I didn’t think about it working with plexiglass, too.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad I could help!

[@kathy-t5q]

The house you are making is so cool. Good job there.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks! It has worked great this summer. I need to finished the outside this Autumn, now it has cooled down a bit :)

[@ShortBeakBudapest]

I am going to try your method. Fortunately, I don’t have to cut as much plexiglass as you need. Many years ago a carpenter told me about your method. Very simple in easy. Years before that I know some people cut the plexiglass sandwiched between two pieces of wood to avoid vibrations and chips. Today with the price of lumber it would make much sense to do that. Thanks for sharing your method.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Good luck!

[@robinhazeslip1800]

This was a game changer for me! Used on green house and then my chicken coop! Thnk u!!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Excellent!

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing this information. I’ve tried several other methods, never had considered reversing the blade.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cbjones2212]

Awesome result. Thanks for sharing this method

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

C&B Jones and massive thanks for sharing it in the first place 😀

[@cbjones2212]

@@TheOptimisticGardener No worries. I only wish that I'd seen the opportunity before you'd done all that work !

[@Raynestorm1968]

Thanks so much for this video. And just ignore all the keyboard warriors having a go at you about safety. I was wondering how I could quickly and easily cut a small piece of Plexiglass for my moon crab terrarium. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad it was helpful 😀

[@brandonbaker6129]

Thank you! I was debating on using masking tape and setting the depth on the blade and maybe starting in the middle to try and avoid chipping but it's awesome to see this work out, ( this way is simpler) we do the same thing with Hardie board cement siding if you don't have a Hardie board blade handy.

[@zoraimaflores6070]

You are awesome thanks for the video and yes please take care of your hands they aré gifted!!!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thank you, I will :)

[@mariasmith9998]

Love the idea i will surely give it a try. Thank you for sharing this video .

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

and thanks for your comment :)

[@erasamus1057]

if you adjust the blade depth to be just sticking an 1/8th past the thickness of the plastic, maybe it cuts better? less effort better, not outcome better?

[@kommoncents0000]

I bought a circular saw blade made for laminate to cut a tub surround, when I was attaching the blade to the saw I noticed the rotation arrow was the opposite direction of standard saw blades and thought it was a mistake. So I put it on the wrong way and chipped off a 1/2" chunk out. Then reversed the blade again and it cut perfectly.

[@lesb_socal]

Thanks, worked very well! Yer smart to be wearin' long sleeves. You don't get yer arms blasted by micro particles of lucite! Also, if you didn't mention, good ventilation, lest one breathe in toxic fumes.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks for the tips!

[@docfuzzpersonalcollection5927]

Just in time! I have to cut a "safety shield" for my DIY trim router table. Thanks!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Excellent, glad to have been of help :)

[@NYGOLD]

Great job just getting to the point. Well done!!!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

No point skylarking on a basic thing like this 😀

[@russelljones8651]

how about reducing how much blade you have for cutting and clamping a little more securely so no chatter, and no chipping? I am reminded of the method from some time ago to reverse the blade. Great , short lesson- Tar. Russell- OZ.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Great point!

[@davez5941]

Nice video Sir, Kind of confused, you had your googles and hearing protection. But you worked on the saw with the battery in and then at the end what was the deal with that left thumb and hand up there where you are cutting. I will try your method, I have not had to cut any for a long time and now find myself needing to do so.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Take the idea but not my safety skills 😀

[@onlylexus]

How and why does this work?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I have no idea, but i know it does. I have cut all my greenhouse plexiglass windows like this and it works a treat :)

[@lexuannhi]

Why I never thought about it. Thank you.

[@caveman3201]

👍👍👍 Very nice cut and good idea!

[@aderalxnu]

What happens if you cut without reversing the blade?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

You get chips all over.

[@cduemig1]

Perfect. I’ve actually used this truck before years ago but forgot. Thanks.

[@d.k.1394]

Trick

[@CHIBA280CRV]

Fantastic informative video sir thank you 👍

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

and thanks for your comment :)

[@kevinflanagan4681]

Thanks Dave, tip worked just as advised.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Nice one :) Who's Dave?

[@petervalk9997]

Adjust the dept according to the thickness of the material you cut, but nice tip to reverse the blade

[@woodyg768]

Does it matter how many teeth my blade has? fine tooth vs. framing blade? What blade did you use?that was a really nice cut!👍 I've got to cut 3. -4'×8'×1/4" sheets in half lengthwise, and at $270.00 a sheet, well that's got me pretty nervous.thanks for the vid.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I will check my saw blade out tomorrow. It is just the blade that it came with though, nothing fancy.

[@woodyg768]

Appreciate it,thanks!

[@medgrower1.killer]

Take the battery out when you change a blade. Same as unplugging a chord.

[@coatichingon7650]

Thank you sir. You just saved me from having to buy a 60 tooth circular saw blade.

[@thegoldenland]

Can I use Dimond blade circular saw?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I am not sure, but don't see why not

[@randyearles9286]

nice concise video, thanks for sharing

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lovesdoggies1481]

I need to cut rv window pattern to replace mine

[@boo3553]

I wouldn't worry about disconnecting the battery. Being the cameraman makes him invincible. 😅

[@carbievelez8352]

same for Acrylic?? I got the problem w the melting w the jigsaw...

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I can't definitely say yes, but that problem is the same with the plexi, so I would imagine it will work with acrylic.

[@KilluahX]

Good tip also for our makerspace!

[@sandyg3772]

That is a nice clean cut, but I still don't understand why you turned the blade around. Wouldn't it do the same thing going the other direction? I'm going to have to study this some more.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

So I tried it the other way and it tends to chip the plexiglass as the teeth are coarser the right way around

[@cbjones2212]

Is short, a circular saw blade works a bit like a chain saw in that it's designed to chip away at the bits of wood as it cuts, which it will do to the plexiglass as well. Turning the blade around makes it operate more like a grinding wheel, You could use a grinder to cut plexiglass too, but using the circular saw this way gives you more control in keeping the cut square and straight.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

@@cbjones2212 Nice one :)

[@sandyg3772]

@@cbjones2212 Thank you for the explanation. I can visualize it much better now. It makes sense.

[@pegjones7682]

Love your videos and methods ,especially the clear true blue explanations!

[@mohammedabdulkhaleq5373]

Hey Can we cut the curves by this!?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I honestly can't say as I have tried.

[@davidpatrick1813]

Only think I would have done differently is remove the battery while blade flipping.... being extra cautious .. thanks .. this of help... I am looking to buy my first battery powered saw too. I lived in NS at onetime in the 70s

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

A fair point :)

[@JD-72191]

Does it matter what blade you’re using? Does it have to be one that has more teeth than blades used for cutting wood?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

No, the blade I used was my normal woodcutting blade. Just reverse it and it will work :)

[@daniellemesserschmidt9196]

When you change any blade in any electric or gas saws you should always disconnect the power source so it can't come on and injure/kill you! Next time remember take your battery out!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Indeed, thanks, but I would suggest you read the other ten or so comments that have said the same thing 😀

[@marciolangeani9992]

Yes , please! Safety first ,

[@daniellemesserschmidt9196]

Im not going to waist my time reading all of them to see if someone said it already! I saw the video and just wanted to say what I noticed. I didnt think I had to investigate all the comments

[@Raynestorm1968]

@@daniellemesserschmidt9196 you definitely wasted your time having to comment period! He's a full grown man, capable of making his own judgements. I suppose you are the type that have to disconnect your battery from your car to do an oil change too? You better! That car could start and run you over while your under it! Lmao

[@daniellemesserschmidt9196]

Wow you sound smart! I was literally trying to just give a little helpful advice so maybe someone wouldn't get hurt by a saw. sounds like you're just wasting your time being a prick to somebody who was just trying to be helpful! Have a wonderful day and I hope karma treats you just the way it should! If you respond rude again I will not because honestly you're not worth my time it was most likely a waste of my time to type this!

[@robin9014]

But I didn’t understand why reverse the blade?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I just know it works.

[@planeteuropa]

Nice job mate.. any idea how to cut curved shapes..eg circle. Almost all videos on you tube show only straight line cuts.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks Jo! I am afraid I will have to hold my hands up and say I haven't done any circles. I am sure you could gradually cut in a circle with a circle saw, by cutting shallow angles off at a time.

[@lindawisner3525]

Thanks! I had forgotten about that method!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad to help!

[@brucecurrie6913]

Great tip. Thanks for posting! PLEASE take your battery out before changing blade and keep that left hand away from saw...fingers don't grow like plants that are 'trimmed' :)

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks for the tip! Yes, you are right! I have been picked up a couple of times for that. Thanks for pointing it out :) I shall make sure I do that from now on.

[@gillcelt]

Good video good man, thanks

[@caplings]

Thanks for this - - How thick was the plexiglass you were cutting? Will this work for 1/8" plexiglass?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Hi Michael, the plexi was 6mm, which is .2362" or 15/64". So much easier in mm's :)

[@normferguson2769]

I have splintered lots of plexiglass and polycarbonate. This is an easy trick to get a smooth cut.

[@HasanKhanDMD]

What kind of blade is being reversed? Wood blade?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

It is just an ordinary wood blade.

[@macpakinga377]

Genesis Awsomen tip Cool, 🤗😎. Thanks

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

You're very welcome!

[@WildernessTamed]

Would the same work on much thinner plexi/perspex? Nice Nova Scotia accent by the way ;-)

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

So, I am going not act the "expert" here and say that I am not sure. Maybe you can try on a small piece?

[@WildernessTamed]

@@TheOptimisticGardener Cheers for that. I appreciate the honesty.

[@brentgraham1735]

How many teeth on your blade? Thanks for the idea!!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

38 sir :)

[@Fischize]

WHAAAAT!!! Thanks for posting! Very cool idea.

[@johnilo2689]

Nicely done

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Cheers 😀

[@nickmiles4855]

Would this method work when cutting really thin 2 mm thickness clear polystyrene sheeting?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I am sorry but I'm going to have to answer that I don't know

[@anilgargsfo]

How come it does not melt with circular saw?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

I have no idea, but I know it works :)

[@manuelcastillo8472]

Thanks man nice and easy

[@mhenhawke5093]

shouldn't you have taken the battery out first?

[@lovesdoggies1481]

What about curves?

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

it depends on the bend size. I have cut some curves but not many.

[@noodlesiis]

Superb tip! well i hope so anyway as i’m about to give it a try… 😂

[@amandavanags8326]

Good job.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks!

[@PBS-nm1uu]

thanks for the info, clean.

[@perfectlyuncommon894]

Amazing thank you thank you!

[@birdman858]

Good idea for cutting the plastic. For safety, it would be good to remove the battery before touching the blade.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Yes, you are right! I have been picked up a couple of times for that. Thanks for pointing it out :)

[@iCanSeeWhatMostCant]

I thought the same thing. did a control+F on "battery" and found your comment.

[@olgagarcia7188]

thanks, very helpful

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad it helped!

[@imitatefirst]

Thank you friend!

[@j.mccarthy3008]

Very nice! Thanks

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Glad you like it!

[@cdsteacher]

Awesome. Thx. 👍

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thank you too!

[@solohoh]

Well done, thanks

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks for the comment :)

[@rogerdodger5415]

Bob's your uncle!! 👍

[@Pete.Ty1]

Top Tip 😊👍

[@quatermass8]

Seeing how well it cuts, I'm doing it this way. But please be careful, I wouldn't be putting my hand that close to the blade. Circular saw accidents are common in the emergency dept of hospitals. My sister worked there and said so and I also saw one come through when I was in for a kidney stone. Please be careful sir.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks for the advice!

[@quatermass8]

@@TheOptimisticGardener I'm sorry my friend I just got triggered by the video. The guy in ER lost 1/3 a hand and the another one I knew long ago lost one and a half fingers.

[@CNC-Time-Lapse]

Genius!

[@peterlaidlaw8655]

thanks ... smart guy

[@rockogawky5982]

Use a fine tooth blade, using one with fewer teeth will make a much rougher uglier cut. I found this out until I started cutting. Lol

[@longpaperdon]

Thank you so much!!!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

You're welcome!

[@DJ-vm2zi]

The real question is, why does this trick work? I’d like to know

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

That's a bit above my pay grade :)

[@DJ-vm2zi]

I saw someone comment that when it spins backwards, it acts like a grinder tool.

[@ST-vt3pj]

awesome!!

[@rrpuppe]

Someone must have mentioned this already, but whenever you change a blade, take the battery off.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Yep

[@mohammedali-xw1tw]

you are the man think you

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks for your kind comment 😀

[@Kdb2kdd]

Thank You!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

You're welcome!

[@TeddyR_Official]

Just use a proper blade for plexiglass/acrylic and you should be fine.

[@HowNotToHomestead]

Thanks man!

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Happy to help!

[@HowNotToHomestead]

@@TheOptimisticGardener I cut 2 pieces without either chipping. Never would have thought of your trick

[@kathybrigger9431]

OMG. I just caught your video. Helpful except one thing. It appears you left the battery in while you were taking the blade in and out of the saw. My dad taught me how to run machinery and told me stories of how people cut off fingers and even hands not adhering to safety. He ran machinery for over 75 years. Please, please take the battery out of the saw before touching the blade. Accidents happen all the time. I was frontline safety where I worked and I see stuff without even thinking about it. I want you to be safe and I am sure your family does too. Thanks for the information.

[@TheOptimisticGardener]

Thanks for the advice.

[@andrizeefoshizee]

Nice pun.