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Forum topic by Viktor | posted 05-10-2011 07:04 PM | 7332 views | 0 times favorited | 13 replies | ![]() |
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05-10-2011 07:04 PM |
Topic tags/keywords: question router tablesaw 1) Would a speed controller used for routers work on a circular saw? I imagine it would as both use same type of motors. I need to cut plexiglass (acrylic) and the cutting speed on the saw is just too high. It cuts, but not very good. Plastic smells and nearly melts. I doubt using specialty blade will help. I thought if I could reduce the speed it might cut much cleaner. |
13 replies so far
#1 posted 05-10-2011 08:21 PM |
1. it should work ok. Some specialized or higher-end saws have a 2. running a router in a table at lower speeds will shorten its life. That’s Routers these days are getting so affordable I wouldn’t worry about it |
#2 posted 05-10-2011 10:34 PM |
Thank you, Loren. That was very helpful. Good point about fan speed, did not think about that. Meanwhile I searched around about torque reduction. It seems that if the controller has electronic feedback feature to maintain constant motor speed (and not all of them have it), then torque will also be maintained. Perhaps electricians here could correct me. |
#3 posted 05-10-2011 10:53 PM |
Might be cheaper and easier to use a different blade. One made especially for cutting plastic. -- Life is good. |
#4 posted 05-10-2011 11:11 PM |
I cut plastic with a good high tooth blade and it cuts fine don’t fart about with blade speeds, it’s dangerous in my sincere opinion saws are designed to run fast not slow. Alistair -- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease |
#5 posted 05-11-2011 02:10 AM |
I agree with Alister. Don’t mess with the speed. The high tooth number blade is the way to go. Make sure you clamp the plexiglass down and support it on both sides of the cut. If you are still having a proble with chip out or whatever, try running a scoring cut on each side to just cut through the two surfaces, then making the cut-through pass. The best option, though, if you can do it is to use a high tooth blade in a table saw. Good luck! Cheers! -- Dave; Lansing, Kansas |
#6 posted 05-11-2011 05:40 AM |
I have cut some plastics using plywood blades which goes along with these guy. The more teeth the better. Carbon steel plywood blades. |
#7 posted 05-11-2011 06:19 AM |
I agree with the above, more teeth on the blade. If you want to use a slower rpm circular saw, use a worm drive. ( skil model 77 ) They turn at 4400 rpm as opposed to the 5800 rpm of the other circular saws. If the plexiglass is not very thick you could probably use a scoring tool like is used to cut plastic laminate. Cut both sides. -- Darrell, making more sawdust than I know what to do with |
#8 posted 05-12-2011 03:20 PM |
Hi Viktor -- OC down in Costa Rica. come down and see me some time. I'll keep the light on for you too-oc@hotmail.com mail.com |
#9 posted 05-13-2011 01:05 PM |
I use the bandsae No problem jamie -- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
#10 posted 05-13-2011 01:19 PM |
High tooth blade and smear the cut line with petroleum jelly to abate melting. -- Sawdust and shavings are therapeutic |
#11 posted 05-13-2011 06:43 PM |
When you use a smaller diameter blade than the saw is meant Circular saws were around before electric motors and can run and I’ve been in a few plastics shops and they use standard table I think you can fix the edge of a plastic panel after cutting by I’ve worked with plastics here and there. I mostly fix the rough |
#12 posted 05-13-2011 08:12 PM |
Best blade for plastics, is a Triple Chip Grind ,it will also cut aluminum -- E J ------- Always Keep a Firm Grip on Your Tool |
#13 posted 05-13-2011 08:51 PM |
technically you want to increase the speed not reduce it when cutting plexi. what kind of saw are you using, table or circular? you really shouldn’t increase the speed on either saw and should use a table saw to rip or cross cut and a router. tri-chip blade is really the only blade you should use for plexi. the speed on a table saw blade is faster than that of a circular saw. and a router of course faster than a table saw to deal with the edges and remove saw marks you should sand with a block to a reasonable smoothness 180 grit, then peel the protective paper back and torch the edges with a propane torch. this will give the edges a glass smooth look. just pass the torch over the edge a couple of times . dont “camp out” with the torch. |
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