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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: rackoon on December 25, 2006, 12:01:47 am

Title: How do I put a 45 angle around the edge of a 1/4 peice of plexiglass?
Post by: rackoon on December 25, 2006, 12:01:47 am

Well I ordered a piece of plexiglass to stick out about 3/8 around my coin door and I'm going to light it up with some UV leds. This should give it the glow I'm after. But I want to put a 45 all around so the light reflects at the right angle.

I have a dremel, angle grinder, router, trim saws, worm drive saws etc... But I just cant think of a way to work with this stuff. What kill me is that I made a picture frame out of this stuff in shop class back in 1979 but I don't remember how I did it.   

Also how do you polish this stuff once ya cut it?

Any help would be great.

Hmmm, who the heck is reading this on xmass eve? Wait, what the heck am I doing writing it? I think Ill go watch a movie with my kids.   :lame:

Title: Re: How do I put a 45 angle around the edge of a 1/4 peice of plexiglass?
Post by: mccoy178 on December 25, 2006, 12:33:31 am

Do you want the corners square?  I'm not sure if I understand what you're after.  To polish the cut edges, you can take a simple propane torch and apply some heat.  I would test on a scrap first, but the right amount of heat will give you a glass look on the edges.  Merry Xmas.

Title: Re: How do I put a 45 angle around the edge of a 1/4 peice of plexiglass?
Post by: Xiaou2 on December 25, 2006, 05:30:06 am

 A router with a 45 degree angled bit should work fine.   You should make sure
to mount the plexi very good.  If it vibrates or moves a little bit, it could crack.

 Polishing plexi is a bit of an artform  heh.   

 You need to use proressive sanding.. from med grits all the way past like
1600(?).    I believe they sell plastic polishing kits with very fine grits...
and buffing compounds.   

  Ive heard that model makers use that method to make the plastic
windows thinner.  They sand them down,  then at the last step,
they recomend  "Future" Floor Polish, to buff it to a clear glasslike
state again.

 Torches can work.. but, its very dangerous.    More risky than its worth
I think.   If the plexi gets a little too hot, it will form bubbles, and ruin
your piece.
 

Title: Re: How do I put a 45 angle around the edge of a 1/4 peice of plexiglass?
Post by: spiffykyle on December 25, 2006, 08:33:18 am

Like Xiaou2 said, a router with a chamfer bit will do fine, as long as the piece is secure, you set the router's speed (if you can) to as high as you can, and you take it very slowly.

To polish the edge, get a kit, Like this one (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFHZ0&P=FR), from a local hobby shop. Plus, you said you have a grinder right? Can you get a buffing wheel for it? Might make things a little easier.

Title: Re: How do I put a 45 angle around the edge of a 1/4 peice of plexiglass?
Post by: tranq on December 25, 2006, 02:02:54 pm

I've heard of using Brasso (or like solvent) to remove some scratches from CD's.

Edit: .....which is a crude version of what spiffykyle suggested.

Title: Re: How do I put a 45 angle around the edge of a 1/4 peice of plexiglass?
Post by: rackoon on December 26, 2006, 05:50:25 pm

Thanks for the info guys. Ill take a whack at it with my router. :applaud: