Does anyone know of a power tool or machine that can be used to cut through
thick plastic?
Material to be cut is a flexible plastic material about 1/4 thick.
Currently I am using sharp razor knives, straight edges, and a lot of muscle
with multiple passes to cut. Finished cut needs to be square to upper and
lower surfaces, smooth and accurate.
I will need this for production of multiple quantities of items.
A benchtop or portable unit is preferred. I have need to cross cut strips
and to "rip" (wrong term but the idea is the same, more like cut long
strips).
Raw material comes in rolls of various widths from 3" to 18".
The cut edge will be plastic heat welded to other pieces so accuracy is
critical.
Thanks in advance for any help this group may offer.
On Thu, 04 Mar 2004 15:21:25 GMT, "Winston"
<[email protected]> wrote:
|Does anyone know of a power tool or machine that can be used to cut through
|thick plastic?
|
|Material to be cut is a flexible plastic material about 1/4 thick.
|Currently I am using sharp razor knives, straight edges, and a lot of muscle
|with multiple passes to cut. Finished cut needs to be square to upper and
|lower surfaces, smooth and accurate.
|
|I will need this for production of multiple quantities of items.
|A benchtop or portable unit is preferred. I have need to cross cut strips
|and to "rip" (wrong term but the idea is the same, more like cut long
|strips).
|
|Raw material comes in rolls of various widths from 3" to 18".
|
| The cut edge will be plastic heat welded to other pieces so accuracy is
|critical.
|
|Thanks in advance for any help this group may offer.
Look into sheet metal shears.
|
Winston asks:
>Does anyone know of a power tool or machine that can be used to cut through
>thick plastic?
>
>Material to be cut is a flexible plastic material about 1/4 thick.
>Currently I am using sharp razor knives, straight edges, and a lot of muscle
>with multiple passes to cut. Finished cut needs to be square to upper and
>lower surfaces, smooth and accurate.
>
>I will need this for production of multiple quantities of items.
>A benchtop or portable unit is preferred. I have need to cross cut strips
>and to "rip" (wrong term but the idea is the same, more like cut long
>strips).
>
>Raw material comes in rolls of various widths from 3" to 18".
>
> The cut edge will be plastic heat welded to other pieces so accuracy is
>critical.
Sounds like a print shop's paper guilliotine will be ideal, but probably won't
be available. Failing that, you might want to try a knife style paper cutter.
Those are available in sizes that go waaaaaaaaay up, certianly past 18".
Staples has an 18" and a 24", though they are pricey--about $270 for the big
one.
Charlie Self
"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in
America." William J. Clinton
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
"Winston" <[email protected]> wrote in message >
> Thanks, I have already researched this and the cutting action of the
> guillotine is exactly what I need, but I cannot locate a machine that is
> meant for industrial (shop) production and for manual use.
> The hand lever action paper guillotines do not cut through this thickness
> material well at all.
>
> So...still looking...
Look for book binding or printing equipment. They have them with very large
capacity.
Ed
Charlie wrote...
> Sounds like a print shop's paper guilliotine will be ideal, but probably
won't
> be available. Failing that, you might want to try a knife style paper
cutter.
> Those are available in sizes that go waaaaaaaaay up, certianly past 18".
> Staples has an 18" and a 24", though they are pricey--about $270 for the
big
> one.
Thanks, I have already researched this and the cutting action of the
guillotine is exactly what I need, but I cannot locate a machine that is
meant for industrial (shop) production and for manual use. A unit like this
that is bench mountable, open on both sides to pass the long strips through
and has a very accurate alignment system sounds like it would work great,
but cannot find one.
The hand lever action paper guillotines do not cut through this thickness
material well at all.
So...still looking...
Winston responds:
>Thanks, I have already researched this and the cutting action of the
>guillotine is exactly what I need, but I cannot locate a machine that is
>meant for industrial (shop) production and for manual use. A unit like this
>that is bench mountable, open on both sides to pass the long strips through
>and has a very accurate alignment system sounds like it would work great,
>but cannot find one.
>
>The hand lever action paper guillotines do not cut through this thickness
>material well at all.
http://www.officezone.com/mancut1.htm
Are you sure these things won't cut through?
You may be making an impossible task harder: can you check with a local small
print shop to see about renting time on their guillotine? They may insist you
use their operator, but there may not be another way to do this. I see answers
including shears and burning, but you're not going to get the precision you say
you need with those, or with a wavy bladed bandsaw, IMO.
Charlie Self
"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in
America." William J. Clinton
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
To cut similar types of plastic I have used 2 different tools.
1) an electric carving knife - two serrated blades that slide past one
another.
2) Hot wire cutter, it has a nichrome wire that is stretched between a base
and an overam support.
"Winston" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Does anyone know of a power tool or machine that can be used to cut
through
> thick plastic?
>
> Material to be cut is a flexible plastic material about 1/4 thick.
> Currently I am using sharp razor knives, straight edges, and a lot of
muscle
> with multiple passes to cut. Finished cut needs to be square to upper and
> lower surfaces, smooth and accurate.
>
> I will need this for production of multiple quantities of items.
> A benchtop or portable unit is preferred. I have need to cross cut strips
> and to "rip" (wrong term but the idea is the same, more like cut long
> strips).
>
> Raw material comes in rolls of various widths from 3" to 18".
>
> The cut edge will be plastic heat welded to other pieces so accuracy is
> critical.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help this group may offer.
>
>
"Winston" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Does anyone know of a power tool or machine that can be used to cut
through
> thick plastic?
>
> Material to be cut is a flexible plastic material about 1/4 thick.
> Currently I am using sharp razor knives, straight edges, and a lot of
muscle
> with multiple passes to cut. Finished cut needs to be square to upper and
> lower surfaces, smooth and accurate.
Bandsaw with a serrated knife edge blade cuts most flexible plastics.
Depending on the particular plastic material, die cutting may be an option.
Or a guillotine cutter.
Ed
Check with printer/bookbinder's supply companies. They are NOT cheap
John
On Thu, 04 Mar 2004 15:51:12 GMT, "Winston"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Charlie wrote...
>
>> Sounds like a print shop's paper guilliotine will be ideal, but probably
>won't
>> be available. Failing that, you might want to try a knife style paper
>cutter.
>> Those are available in sizes that go waaaaaaaaay up, certianly past 18".
>> Staples has an 18" and a 24", though they are pricey--about $270 for the
>big
>> one.
>
>Thanks, I have already researched this and the cutting action of the
>guillotine is exactly what I need, but I cannot locate a machine that is
>meant for industrial (shop) production and for manual use. A unit like this
>that is bench mountable, open on both sides to pass the long strips through
>and has a very accurate alignment system sounds like it would work great,
>but cannot find one.
>
>The hand lever action paper guillotines do not cut through this thickness
>material well at all.
>
>So...still looking...
>