Can I Cut Acrylic On A Table Saw?

Acrylic is a multipurpose material that you can use as an alternative to glass. The material is mostly known by another name- Plexiglass. However, Plexiglass is actually a brand name that sells the material.

Cutting acrylic can be a bit challenging due to its nature. It can chip and get damaged if not cut carefully. The tool you’re using also determines the efficiency of the cut. But today’s article is solely based on one particular question. Can I cut acrylic on a table saw?

Table saws can be the best tool for cutting acrylic as long as you know your way around the tool. You will have to use the right blade and follow the proper procedure. Nonetheless, it’s entirely possible to cut acrylic on a table saw.

Without any further ado, let’s get to the details.

Can I Cut Acrylic On A Table Saw?

You can certainly use your table saw to cut acrylic. In fact, given that you use the proper elements and methods, a table saw can be the best way to do so. Nonetheless, there are certain things to take into consideration when cutting acrylic.

First of all, the blade you’re using plays an important role in determining the efficiency of your cuts. You can’t just go about using any blade to cut acrylic. Like any other material, this one also demands a particular type of blade.

A carbide-tipped blade with fine teeth count will be best suited for cutting acrylic. Many people use high-speed steel blades too. Some even use blades for plywood or laminated boards to cut acrylic. However, if you want to get clean cuts without damaging the material, a carbide-tipped blade with a high teeth count will do the best work.

If you don’t have one, it’s wise to invest in one, especially if you will be cutting acrylic a lot. The good news is, it won’t cost you much. Yet, you can cut various materials using the same blade. For instance, if you are cutting Lexan using your table saw, a carbide-tipped blade will come in handy. You can check my article on can you cut Lexan with a table saw if you are interested.

The blade isn’t the only issue when cutting acrylic with a table saw. You will have to be careful about the table saw settings and the method you’re using. I’ve included the settings that you will need to know about in the next section.

Last of all, the quality of your table saw is also important here. You can’t cut acrylic with all table saws. DIY table saws have limited powers. If your table saw is high-quality and sturdy enough, only then you can use the proper blade to cut the material.

How To Cut Acrylic On A Table Saw?

Now let’s get to the procedure. Before starting the process, make sure you have everything near at hand. Gather the materials, change the table saw blade, and measure the acrylic sheets.

• You need to set the table saw according to your requirement first. Keep the saw disconnected from the power saw at this point. After changing the blade, set the height of the blade based on your acrylic sheet’s height. The blade should be half an inch higher than the material’s height.
• Now, set the fence according to the width of your acrylic sheet. It depends on how wide you want your sheets to be cut into. Lock the fence in place and then plug in the table saw.
• Turn your table saw on and wait till the blade is spinning at full speed. Then, place the sheet in position by pushing it toward the fence. Slowly start feeding the sheet to the running blade. Make sure not to bring your hands too close to the blade.
• The speed has to be right when it comes to cutting acrylic. Try to feed about three to four inches per second. If you notice the material melting, which is entirely normal and possible, slow down the speed.
• Use a push block to finish cutting the sheet. Wait for the blade to stop before you collect the pieces.
• The edges might be rough after cutting the sheet. In this case, you will have to smoothen them out. Use waterproof sandpaper to sand the edges and make the cut clean. Nonetheless, make sure that you’re not messing up the measurement.
• Collect all pieces and gather them separately. After doing a large pile of sheets, the pieces can be mixed with other pieces that don’t have the right measurements.

What Other Tool Can I Use To Cut Acrylic?

You will be surprised to know how many tools can come in handy when cutting acrylic. Even when you don’t have a table saw, you can utilize other commonly found tools for cutting the material. Let’s take a look at them so that you can be prepared for any situation.

Jigsaw

A jigsaw operates differently than a table saw, making it more convenient for the user to cut challenging material like acrylic. Only by using a simple up-and-down motion you can cut acrylic without any issues. This is especially effective when you’re going for nonlinear cuts on your acrylic sheets.

Some even consider jigsaws to be more comfortable and effective for acrylic. So, if you have a jigsaw, you can conveniently cut large piles of acrylic sheets without any issues.

Bandsaw

Another excellent option to consider for cutting acrylic is a bandsaw. It’s a popular power tool that’s often found in tool collections. Even though it will not be as effective as a jigsaw, you can certainly get the work done.

So, having a bandsaw will benefit you, even when you don’t have a table saw or a jigsaw lying around your house.

Scoring Knife

An unusual method of cutting acrylic is to use a scoring knife. For this method to work, the sheet has to be thin. What you do is score the acrylic sheet according to your preferred measurement.

Then, bend the sheet in the opposite direction. This will snap the piece into two pieces. You will also get a clean snap. After that, you can use sandpaper to smoothen the area.

Obviously, this method is not efficient and easy as using a power saw. However, if you have no power tool in your collection and the acrylic sheet isn’t too thick, there’s no reason why you should go ahead and try this method.

Safety Tips For Cutting Acrylic With A Table Saw

Regardless of what material you’re cutting, it’s essential to be careful around a power tool. Even if you have long-term experience in using a table saw, you can never be too careful.

• Do not wear loose clothing when you’re working with a table saw. Avoid anything that can get stuck in the blade, including jewelry and long sleeves.
• Wear a mask to protect your respiratory system from dust, goggles to protect your eyes, and earmuffs to protect your ears.
• Always use a push block when you’re cutting something with a table saw. It can cost a few bucks to get a push block, but it will certainly save you from unwanted injuries.
• Keep the table saw turned off except for when you’re cutting with it. Especially when you’re tweaking the settings.
• Always use the right blade for cutting a specific material. This not only facilitates the cutting procedure but also increases the longevity of your table saw.
• Make yourself familiar with your table saw before operating it. This is also applicable when you’ve replaced your old table saw with a new one.
• Do not have any bystanders when you’re working with a table saw. In addition, avoid standing directly to the blade. Instead, stand on the left side of the table saw. This allows the fence to be between you and the blade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

To answer the question of can I cut acrylic on a table saw, you certainly can. There’s hardly any other tool that will do a better job of cutting acrylic than a table saw. Nonetheless, you will have to use the right blade, settings, and method to get the best results.

You can avoid chipping and get cleaner cuts only by being careful about the procedure. Also, don’t forget to keep yourself safe before getting your work done using a table saw.