How to cut polycarbonate in home conditions

How to cut polycarbonate. rules of cutting the material

Polycarbonate is a polymeric thermoplastic material that is rapidly gaining popularity in the construction industry. High strength, plasticity and ease of installation have allowed them to take niches where previously “dominated” glass and acrylic.

Polycarbonate is made in the form of cellular or cast monolithic panels. In private households, it is increasingly used for the arrangement of greenhouses, hothouses, fences and as an alternative to glass. Therefore, it would be logical to know what to cut polycarbonate at home and what equipment to use.

Tools for cutting polycarbonate

On the technology of cutting polycarbonate depends on the design of the future product and the technological characteristics of plastic panels. The following tools are used for cutting polymer sheet:

• angle grinder;
• laser;
• hand saws and hacksaws for metal:
• automatic saws;
• cutters for metal;
• jigsaw.

angle grinder

Almost every craftsman has an angle grinder among his working tools. Achieve a quality cut can be made with a wheel 125, which is usually used when working with metals. Angle grinder is recommended to use when the thickness of the polycarbonate sheet is not more than 10 millimeters. It is worth noting that this tool has a high speed, and if you lack experience, it is better to pre-train on a small piece of plastic.

Laser

Laser cutting is a rather specific technology for working with polycarbonate, because it requires certain skills and the use of expensive equipment. The technology consists in melting the material through exposure to technological gases.

• perfect edge surface quality;
• cutting accuracy. the error of 0.05 millimeters;
• high working speed;
• no need to fix the sheet.

The main disadvantage of the laser is the need for the right combination of cutting speed and power. At the slightest deviation the sheet in the area of the cut may turn white.

Cutting with different types of saws

When working with any type of saws, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:

• saw teeth must be thick and fine;
• polycarbonate sheets must be fixed in the workbench. because of vibration it is impossible to get a perfectly flat and smooth edges;
• It is impossible to remove the protective coating of the sheet until the end of the work;
• When working with circular saws should use low-speed gear, and the material is cut only when the tool reaches operating speed.

Also read: Transportation of polycarbonate.

Tips for fixing polycarbonate

Fixation of polycarbonate sheets should be performed with screws with sealing washers. Note that the diameter of the screws should exceed the cross-section of the hole in the polycarbonate by 1-2 mm. This allows to compensate for the expansion of the material when heated.

In addition, it is very important that the penetration of screws in the sheet polycarbonate was free. Otherwise, not drilled properly hole can lead to deformation of the material.

Laying should be performed polycarbonate butt joint, but for the thermal expansion of the material should be left a gap. This approach allows you to avoid mistakes in the installation of polycarbonate.

Use neoprene or silicone tapes to seal the joints of the material. Do not use soft PVC sealing materials, because as the polycarbonate is used, they release substances that gradually destroy the material.

Sealing compounds for insulating joints of polycarbonate can only be silicone and no others.

Benefits and harms

Bramble is contraindicated in cases of individual intolerance. They are highly allergenic, so it is worth carrying out an allergy test before consuming them

Since the berry contains a large amount of organic acids, it should be included with caution in the diet of people with peptic ulcer or 12 duodenal ulcer, as the disease may worsen

Strawberries, like blackberries, are considered an allergen. It is not recommended to use it during exacerbation of gastritis and peptic ulcer. Also, the berry can harm the body in cystitis, because it contains fruit acids that can irritate the mucosa of the bladder.

People with urolithiasis and gout should use cranberry compote with caution. Women in lactation and children under 3 years should be refrained from drinking it because of its high allergenicity

Dentists recommend brushing your teeth after drinking the cranberry compote, as it quickly causes tooth enamel to decay.

Currant drink is contraindicated for thrombophlebitis, obesity, diabetes and gastritis with high acidity of the stomach.

Can I freeze apples for winter?? What are the benefits of them? Charlotte, pies with apples, strudel, compote, various desserts and much more. all this will become available for cooking at any time of the year. Everything is clean, environmentally friendly and already sliced.

Can apples and pears be frozen for winter and why?? Many fresh fruits lose almost all their vitamins by the end of winter, so frozen fruits give you the opportunity to maintain immunity in the spring.

Stationery knife

At home, polycarbonate can be cut with a regular office knife. With the help of this tool more often handle cellular plastic, which has a cellular structure. Monolithic polycarbonate cannot be cut with a knife because it is too hard. For the cut to turn out even, it is better to adhere to the following technology:

• To cut a sheet of polycarbonate plastic, you will need a high-quality, sharp office knife.
• Polycarbonate with a clerks cut in 2 steps: first perform a small incision so that the tool does not slip, and then carefully finish cutting the material.
• A clerical knife is used to cut cellular polycarbonate with a thickness of no more than 4-6 mm.

Please note that using a box cutter perform a shallow trimming and fitting of sheets of plastic, as it makes them cuts a long and inconvenient. An ordinary office knife can quickly become blunt or break.

Cutting technology

During the cutting of polycarbonate plastic panels, it is easy to damage the material or spoil the edges of the sheet, violating the technology. Experienced craftsmen advise not to save on blades and cutting tool blades, as a blunt knife makes the cut uneven and sloppy. Cutting is carried out in the following sequence:

• First of all the place where the sawing will be done should be cleared out. To make the surface flat, on it spread sheets of plywood or chipboard.
• Before you cut the polycarbonate, the surface is marked with a marker and a long ruler.
• Under the sheet of plastic on both sides of the planned line is placed wooden bars with a thickness of at least 40 mm. On top of the marking also lay a wide plank, used for movement.
• Straight cuts are made with an angle grinder at low speed, and curved cuts with a jigsaw.
• After the work is complete, the cuttings are blown off the surface of the material with compressed air.

Note! Cellular plastic with a thickness of up to 6 mm can be cut by stacking several sheets on top of each other and placing plywood under them. In industrial conditions this material is processed using a laser, which is much faster and easier than using a hand tool.

Cutting technology

When cutting polycarbonate plastic panels, it is easy to damage the material or ruin the edges of the sheet, violating the technology. Experienced craftsmen advise not to save on the blades and cutting blades of the tool, as a blunt knife makes the cut uneven and sloppy. Cutting is carried out in the following sequence:

• First of all, the area where the sawing will be performed is cleared. To make the surface even, lay sheets of plywood or particle board on it.
• Before you cut the polycarbonate, the surface is marked with a marker and a long ruler.
• Under the sheet of plastic on both sides of the planned line is placed wooden bars with a thickness of at least 40 mm. On top, a wide board is also laid along the markings, which is used to move.
• Make straight cuts with an angle grinder at low speed, and curved cuts with a jigsaw.
• When the work is complete, the chips from the surface of the material are blown off with compressed air.

Please note! Cellular plastic up to 6 mm thick can be cut by stacking several sheets on top of each other and putting plywood underneath. In industrial conditions this material is processed with a laser, which is much faster and easier than using a hand tool.

On our site you can find contacts of construction companies that specialize in design and installation of conservatories for private homes. To speak directly with representatives, visit the “Low-Rise Country” house show.

As you can see, straight cuts with a knife on the rail are quick and easy, any other tool will take longer. But if it is necessary to obtain shaped elements or processing of thicker cloths, it is better to choose another way.

However, answering the question of what is the best way to cut polycarbonate for an arch-type greenhouse, experts also recommend a knife. To do this, the assembled frame of the end piece is placed under a sheet of polycarbonate, align it along the straight bottom edge of the blade and cut the arch, pressing the blade against the arc.

Angle grinder

Angle grinder, as well as a knife, cuts polycarbonate in a straight line or on a line with a large radius of curvature. In other cases the cutting disc jams between the blade halves and the cut is jagged.

To get an even, not melted edge, the tool is used at low speed, with a disk for cutting aluminum or concrete. It can easily cut any type and thickness of material.

The sheet is prepared for sawing, putting it under a thick board on both sides of the cutting line. They will provide the necessary gap between the base and the polycarbonate lying on it, allowing the disc to move in free space.

It is possible to move the saw trimmer line just beyond the edge of the deck, but then the dangling side of the blade must be held securely, for which you will need the help of a partner. If you do not do this, the lightweight material will vibrate, making it impossible to get a straight cut.

Before you cut monolithic polycarbonate in the home, the angle grinder must be turned on and let the motor gain a nominal speed. Only after that should you bring the cutting wheel to the far edge, cut through it, and, having buried the disk, slowly guide it toward you along the cutting line.

Tip! If you want to cut a sheet along the inner lintels, you must drive the disc between them, taking care not to collide with the cell walls.

When using an angle grinder in the honeycomb material gets small sawdust of plastic, which is formed when sawing. They become electrified, stick to the walls and spoil the appearance of the finished part. They must be removed before putting on the edge of the end profile. It is done with the help of a vacuum cleaner or a compressor with compressed air.

You can wash the debris out of the ducts with a strong head of water, directing the jet at the end of the leaf. But you have to wait until it pours out and evaporates completely from the channels before you can start the installation work.

Circular saw

Choosing what is better to cut polycarbonate cellular or solid, you can choose to use a manual or stationary circular saw with a cutting disc for plastic or metal with a fine tooth. The only difference from the angle grinder is that you don’t cut towards yourself, but away from yourself, i.e. forwards.

Hand-held tools saw large blades, and a stationary tool is more convenient for making small parts, as it allows you to set the exact dimensions.

What to cut polycarbonate at home

The desire to save money on the construction of a greenhouse and its quality equipment makes many home masters to master the technology of processing the covering material, which is most often a polymer coating. Experienced professionals willingly share tips and secrets than cut polycarbonate at home, which will help reduce the cost of the material and ensure its proper treatment, for quality arrangement of greenhouse construction.

How to properly grow lettuce in winter in a polycarbonate greenhouse can be found in the article below.

The right choice of available and practical tools for cutting polymer

Choosing what to cut polycarbonate at home, it is important to understand that this process does not require special knowledge and skills, but a certain skill and ability to handle the selected tools is necessary.

For self-treatment of polymer coating, you can choose simple ways to effectively cut and cut materials, while allowing the use of the following devices:

angle grinder with a wheel for cutting metal, such a tool is suitable for simple cutting thin or medium-thick material, provided that the technology of processing the edges, the resulting elements; construction or office knife with a pre-sharpened or new blade, for such work will require some effort and arrangement of the workplace with the mounting of processed material and individual sheets; jigsaw, a tool not always available to the master, but when necessary to create shaped elements and b.

What you need to know for a good harvest of flowers, see the article Features of Flower Business.

Professionals know exactly what to cut polycarbonate at home, and for large-scale works recommend using laser cutting, which ensures maximum integrity of the processed sheets. The excellent quality of the received cuts and the absence of possible defects makes this method the best one, and for its implementation it is possible to take care about renting the appropriate equipment in advance.

Minimum of damage: the right technology for cutting plastic material

After choosing what to cut polycarbonate at home, it is necessary to carefully study the technology of the procedure and focus on experienced recommendations, which are shared by specialists in the field of construction:

Preparation of the workplace and the surface where the material will be cut, to do this, the site should be cleared of interfering tools and pick up the appropriate substrate with fasteners for effective coverage of greenhouse construction plastic sheets are arranged with vertical orientation of the stiffeners, this nuance must be considered when cutting material; during fixing the material can not use hard fasteners, to soften it is recommended to use soft pads, which will help maintain integrity.

What is the peculiarity of the construction of the greenhouse? The answer to the question in the source.

To correctly choose what to cut polycarbonate at home, it is necessary to soberly assess your own capabilities, take into account the scale of the upcoming work on the arrangement of a greenhouse construction and the availability of the required tools.

How to properly cut polycarbonate

Let’s take a step by step look at how to cut a sheet of polycarbonate:

• Clean the area under the sheet(s) of polycarbonate. Remove stones and foreign objects that can leave traces on the panels. Ideally, it is better to pave the site with sheets of fiberboard, particle board, or you can UWB.
• Make the necessary markings on the panel with a marker, using a wire or any other flat object. If necessary, move over the panels with a wide board (moving on it with your feet), so as not to make a dent on the surface of the plastic.
• Before you cut the polycarbonate put under the panels on both sides of the marking boards, not less than 40x100x2200. On top of the panel, one of the boards underneath lay another board on top (at least 20x100x2200), in order to move her while cutting. If you need to cut a straight line, then use an angle grinder. If you need a round or curved cutting we use an electric jigsaw, and for a minor adjustment of sheets we use a utility knife.
• When even cutting along the entire sheet, that is along the honeycomb, the use of a marker is not required. As a rule, you can easily make a cut along the honeycomb with an angle grinder, a jigsaw or a knife, as the honeycomb in this case will serve as a guide for cutting. This is done in order that more times do not trample on the sheets of polycarbonate.
• Of course after sawing it is necessary to remove chips and dust with a compressed air blow.

So in this article we learned how to cut polycarbonate, and most importantly, how to cut polycarbonate sheets correctly.

In conclusion, I want to remind you of another important thing, as you know “We measure seven times, cut once”. So, do not forget this wisdom, because polycarbonate sheets are not cheap, and their damage will be a good cost.

Yes, I almost forgot, when cutting with an angle grinder or jigsaw, be sure to wear safety glasses. They will undoubtedly protect you from getting into the eyes of dust and micro-particles. Well, that’s sort of all. Good luck in your difficult but necessary business!

Tips for attaching polycarbonate

Fixation of polycarbonate sheets should be performed with screws with sealing washers. Note that the diameter of screws should exceed the cross section of the hole in the polycarbonate at 1-2 mm. This allows you to compensate for the expansion of the material when heated.

In addition, it is very important that the penetration of screws in the sheet polycarbonate was free. Otherwise, a hole that is not drilled properly can lead to material deformation.

Installation of polycarbonate should be performed as a butt joint, but for the thermal expansion of the material should be left gaps. This approach allows you to avoid mistakes in the installation of polycarbonate.

To seal the joints of the material should use neoprene or silicone tapes. Do not use soft sealing materials of PVC, as in the process of operation of polycarbonate they release substances that gradually destroy the material.

Sealing compositions for isolating joints polycarbonate can be only silicone and no others.

Gluing the sheets at home

In some cases polycarbonate is laid on the glue, and the sheets need to be glued to each other. For this purpose polyurethane-based adhesive is considered optimal. With its help reliable adhesion of polycarbonate with a similar sheet, glass or metal. This achieves a high mechanical and chemical resistance of the connection.

Since polycarbonate has proven to be the best, its areas of application have become very diverse. Thus, it is used to make glazing for summer terraces, pergolas or greenhouses, equip temporary partitions, fences or awnings.

Before you start laying polycarbonate, its sheets need to be trimmed to the right size. An angle grinder, jigsaw and even an ordinary paper knife are often used for this purpose. Of course, if you are not going to stop at a one-time use of equipment, it makes sense to buy a machine for laser cutting. In this case the cut is perfectly flat and clear.

What to cut polycarbonate. safe ways to cut, suitable tools for home conditions