Cutting Lexan - RC-Monster Forums

rustnpede · **Cutting Lexan -** 06.27.2007, 02:11 AM

What are some diferent ways to cut Lexan without using special tools?

Im making the esc and battery trays for my revo, using 3/16" lexan, a sharp knife and the score/snap method. Ive made 3 cuts that took more effort than I thought would it would take. Ive seen lexan knives in the hardware store. would they make the task any easier?

wallot · 06.27.2007, 04:05 AM

get lexan scissors. u can get straight or curved and they cost about $10 and cut lexan like butter

BrianG · 06.27.2007, 09:35 AM

I've never had trouble with the score-and-break method. I score each side twice to make sure the score is deep enough, put the excess piece over a flat corner, clamp it down, and snap it off. Every once in a while, there might be an imperfection that I'll touch up with a dremel, but I'm kinda anal about having straight edges and perfectly rounded corners...

@Wallot: Can lexan scissors cut thicker stuff, like 1/8" +?? Are you thinking body lexan scissors?

jimbob · 06.27.2007, 11:42 AM

how thick are we talking in mm around 5??

i got some 6mm plastic that im using for a servo mount and atm it keeps melting when i go to cut it, so any advice will be much appreciated here :027:

rustnpede · 11:56 AM

Not lexan bodys. Lexan sheets. Like plexiglass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianG

. . .I score each side twice to make sure the score is deep enough, put the excess piece over a flat corner, clamp it down, and snap it off. . .

I thinks thats the problem. I dont have a workbench so im doing all this on top of a wood board on my living room floor:p. Cant wait to move. I havent been scoring both sides though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbob

how thick are we talking in mm around 5??

i got some 6mm plastic that im using for a servo mount and atm it keeps melting when i go to cut it, so any advice will be much appreciated here .

4mm exactly. Are you using a saw? I read that your suposed to run water over the blade.

GorillaMaxx360 · 06.27.2007, 11:53 AM

i like to use a durbro lexan sizzors. for just 12 bucks at your lhs you get the sizzors and a body reamer. these are good but for small indintations they are hard to cut. yesterday i used a dremal to cut out my body. very time consuming but the result was a perfect hole in the back of my 18t body.

GorillaMaxx360 · 06.27.2007, 12:00 PM

sorry man just realized it was thick lexan not the lexan the body's are made from. in this case use the scoring method, scroll saw, or a dermal with cutting wheel.

jimbob · 06.27.2007, 12:02 PM

im gunna try the snapping method :032: wish me luck

ya it defo needs water or something, it just starts melting, problem is trying to set that up lol no idea how to do tht... o well only straight cuts for me now so hopefully it will be ok

what kinda knife you all using??

rustnpede · 06.28.2007, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbob

im gunna try the snapping method :032: wish me luck . . . what kinda knife you all using??

Im using my pocket knife. The blade is thick and has a clip point thats pretty sharp, I should say "was pretty sharp". Works fine now that Im scoring both sides.

Good Luck!

rchippie · 06.28.2007, 01:46 AM

The scoring method works great on the thin stuff, but i've never tried it on the thicker stuff to see how it works.

Arct1k · 08.24.2007, 02:12 PM

You could try plasti-dip spray - It came out really good on my e-revo.

Another tip is to cut down an old rustler or stampede chassis for the battery tray... Again this worked great as it provides lots of protection is perfectly sized and bolts straight to the chassis.

wallot · 06.27.2007, 12:20 PM

well I use lexan body scissors for cutting anything plastic I need and some stuff is 3mm (about 1/8"). for thicker material i would try scissors for metal.