How To Cut Solid Polycarbonate At Home

Angle Grinder

The angle grinder is convenient for sawing large lengths of polycarbonate sheets. We recommend using cutting wheels for metal (better for working with aluminum). On the desktop, place several wooden supports along the edges, put a sheet on them.

How To Cut Solid Polycarbonate At Home

angle grinder is perfect for cutting long polycarbonate sheets

Rules for working with an angle grinder:

  • Before we start cutting, let’s try the tool on a small unnecessary trim of polycarbonate. This “rehearsal” is especially needed for beginners.
  • Do not forget in personal protective equipment.
  • Turn on the machine, set it to the minimum rotation speed, and match the cut-off wheel with the start of cutting at the edge of the sheet.
  • Slowly and confidently start the circle forward on the intended line of the mowing line. During cutting, DO NOT get distracted and constantly monitor the alignment of the mowing line of the cut with the mark.
  • Turn off the angle grinder after cutting. Sand the edges of cellular polycarbonate with sandpaper, then blow with a vacuum cleaner to remove dust. Remove the protective film by gluing the ends with tape.

When you may need to cut polycarbonate

In terms of technical parameters, polycarbonate surpasses glass in hardness. At the same time, it is safe (in case of damage it does NOT crumble into fragments), much cheaper, lighter and more durable than glass. It was these characteristics that allowed polycarbonate to successfully replace glass.

Its scope is varied:

  • Glazing of urban infrastructure (transport stops, posters, lights, billboards, etc.);
  • Office partitions;
  • As a roof for summer cottages, terraces;
  • Shower equipment in sports clubs;
  • When dividing the common space of an apartment into zones;
  • When constructing a polycarbonate greenhouse and greenhouse.

Depending on the area of ​​application, this modern material is available in two types:

  • Cellular (cellular). lightweight, flexible, durable;
  • Monolithic polycarbonate, which differs from the first in that it has more weight, but at the same time it is able to withstand heavy loads.

Jigsaw

The jigsaw will do a great job, We cut both straight mowing lines and other complex configurations. The main task is to choose the right file for cutting:

  • For cutting cellular polycarbonate, it is better to purchase pollen with straight teeth. It crumbles less material and makes the cut as smooth as possible.
  • Choose saws with fine and fine teeth. For cutting cellular polycarbonate, saws with TP marking (from 9 or more teeth per 1 inch) are suitable.
  • Give preference to the canvas that is of high quality and is suitable for working with metal-plastic.

Spraying polycarbonate sheets with a jigsaw requires experience, you should
practice small letters of material

The basic rules when working with a jigsaw are as follows (before work, we advise you to practice on the remnants of the material):

  • The work table is ready for use, the corresponding blade is inserted and securely locked in the jigsaw. For convenience, make a small notch on the polycarbonate sheet with a knife.
  • Turn on the tool, wait until it picks up speed, and move the blade to the notch, slowly guiding the machine forward. When pressing the tool, make sure that the polycarbonate letter does NOT bend.
  • When working with large sheets of material, it is better to use the services of an assistant. It will hold the polycarbonate instead of letting the sheet vibrate. Working with long canvases can be divided into two stages: first, go to the middle of the cut, and then from the opposite side will repeat the movement towards.
  • After finishing work with the jigsaw Do all the steps that are described above when working with an angle grinder.

“How to cut polycarbonate without assistance

From this you will learn how to spray polycarbonate without assistance.

Cutting process

Polycarbonate also differs in that it is very convenient and easy to work with. Even a beginner at home can handle cutting this material. Here are some tips to help you cope with cutting correctly and without losses:

  • When making straight small cuts of a blade with a thickness of 4-6 mm, a sharp construction knife will do. It is better to cut along straight long lines with an angle grinder. Rounded parts are cut with a jigsaw.
  • Always wear personal protective equipment when working with power tools. Wear goggles that protect your eyes from fine dust. Rubber gloves protect against accidental electric shock.
  • If necessary, apply markings on large sheets of polycarbonate, lay long boards on top that extend beyond the sheet. You can move along them like on a bridge, and do not cause harm in the form of dents.
  • After finishing work, remove the protective film, blow through all the processed seams on the received parts with an electric pump to get rid of dust, and cover them with special protective profiles. DO NOT remove the film from the polycarbonate sheets while cutting

How and what is better to cut polycarbonate at home

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Hacksaw

Beginners should do a lot of practice before using a hacksaw to cut polycarbonate. Without experience, sheets tend to crack along the mowing line of the cut and lead to large losses of material. Here it is important to correctly and competently secure the letter, did not allow excessive stress and vibration.

Dusting polycarbonate sheets with a hacksaw is a very difficult task, as it has a number of nuances

Training

Layout and cutting of polycarbonate sheet begins with the preparation of the workplace. It is important that perfect cleanliness is maintained on the working surface, as the surface of the canvas can damage and scratch even a tiny pebble. Then follow these simple rules:

  • DO NOT remove the protective film from the sheets ahead of time. On it with a marker or felt-tip pen, mowing lines are easily marked. The film will protect the surface from mechanical stress during operation.
  • Put the letter on the work surface, use a marker to transfer the dimensions of the necessary part to it according to the drawing.
  • After applying the markings again, make sure that it is applied correctly and use the tool of your choice to start cutting the letter.
  • When cutting with a power tool, the panel must be securely fastened to avoid vibration. Before starting cutting polycarbonate, prepare the workplace

Construction knife

To trim cellular polycarbonate up to 6 mm thick at home, you can use a construction knife. The only and main condition is that the tool must be sharp, of high quality and have a sufficient number of spare blades.

The incision is made in two stages:

  • Place the knife edge at the starting point, and click on it to make a notch. Mowing line markings Make a small cut slowly and accurately.
  • After carrying out the cut, the knife is carried out again, carefully introducing the material inside, and we cut it. In this case, the blade must be strictly perpendicular to the plane of the sheet.

Work requires special attention without haste and fuss.

How and how to properly cut monolithic polycarbonate at home photo and

The well-known polycarbonate canvases are becoming more popular every day. All thanks to certain features of this material, including its incredible lightness combined with high strength indicators. To build a high-quality construction from monolithic polycarbonate, it is important to be able to cut it correctly. Further on the features of the implementation of this process at home.

Cutting tools

For cutting monolithic polycarbonate, in principle, any tool designed for working with wood or metal is suitable. One of the following tools can be used:

  • Stationery knife. A good model will help you cut large sheets of polycarbonate very efficiently, but this will take a lot of time. It will be possible to complete the work quickly and efficiently only if the thickness of the material allows it to be done. So, polycarbonate with a thickness of about 4-6 mm is possible even for beginners. If it has a thickness of about 8 mm, only a person with sufficient experience in construction can work with it.
  • Electric jigsaw. Suitable for complex work, for example, giving polycarbonate a beautiful decorative shape, rounded, etc. You can cut it correctly with a jigsaw using a fine-toothed nozzle.
  • Angle Grinder. It is a simple and reliable tool. Even a small and inexpensive model will help you quickly and efficiently carry out the cutting process. The only thing that is needed in order to properly cut polycarbonate is experience with an angle grinder. If you do not have sufficient experience with such a tool, it is better to pre-practice with a piece of plastic.
  • Laser cutting. Perhaps one of the best tools for working with polymer materials due to its positive features: fast cutting speed, the highest quality and sharpest cut, extremely low probability of defects, ease of cutting the material.
  • Saws. Any circular saw will work for polycarbonate. When working with a saw, it is important to remember some subtleties and observe them: the teeth should be small and wide, the material is better fixed on the workbench, it is better to remove the protective polycarbonate coating after the end of the material cutting process.
  • Milling processing. Such equipment is suitable exclusively for monolithic polycarbonate. With it, the working speed becomes very high, and the cut can be easily performed at any angle.

Features and characteristics of monolithic polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a solid colorless material consisting of carbonic acid and two atomic alcohols. In appearance they are similar to plastic, but differ in a very original set of characteristics. With absolute transparency and viscosity, it is very durable and heat resistant.

Due to the presence of these properties, polycarbonate is incredibly popular among builders and is most often used as a worthy alternative to glass. At home, it is used mainly for the external design of greenhouses, gazebos and greenhouses.

The polycarbonate material is very lightweight yet surprisingly durable. It is also quite flexible and resistant to unfavorable external factors, as well as chemicals. It is represented by two types of products: cellular and monolithic. The latter is very heavy and is quite capable of withstanding significant mechanical loads.

Material cutting technology

Regardless of the choice of tool for cutting polycarbonate at home, a number of simple but effective rules should be followed:

  • The workplace must be well prepared. All foreign objects and debris should be removed from the table or machine.
  • The surface on which the polymer plastic will be laid out must be absolutely flat. To do this, place chipboards (fiberboard or GNS) under the material.
  • To cut the polycarbonate correctly, you need to fix it on both sides of the board. The optimal parameters of the boards: width. 4 cm, thickness. 10 cm, length. 2.2 m.
  • If you need to create a complex geometric shape, roundness, you should use several tools: an angle grinder. for straight cuts, a jigsaw. for figured cutting, a clerical knife. for fitting.

Council. Experts note that the best tool for working with monolithic polymer is milling equipment or circular saws with fine teeth. They allow work to be done easily and without sacrificing accuracy.

That’s all the subtleties that you should know for high-quality and easy DIY work with monolithic polycarbonate. Be neat and strictly follow the instructions. Good luck!

Laser cutting of polycarbonate

If there is an urgent need to cut polycarbonate to size, then in this case you can use a laser. As practice shows, thanks to the use of an industrial laser, it is possible to cut polycarbonate sheets as quickly, accurately and efficiently as possible at home. If you combine modern technology and numerical control, the cutting accuracy will be carried out up to 0.5 mm.

However, it is important to understand that such convenience of working at home, in addition to high technical characteristics, also has a high cost, as a result of which not everyone can afford this equipment. It is impractical to use expensive professional equipment at a time. It is completely different if you plan to open a workshop that will specialize in the manufacture of polycarbonate greenhouses, roofs, fences and lightweight canopies. In addition, if work experience and certain skills were NOT required in the previous versions, then in this case it is impossible to do without it, besides, self-study at home will NOT be successful.

How to cut solid polycarbonate

If necessary, you can carry out the process of cutting monolithic polycarbonate at home. For THESE purposes, a circular saw with small teeth is perfect. In order not only to cut polymeric material, but also to achieve the best possible result, many experts recommend giving preference to teeth, which are equipped with special solid inserts. Thanks to this approach, it is possible to prevent unwanted material heating. If you plan to cut a sheet with a thickness of up to 2 mm, then in this case it is recommended to cut from 10 polycarbonate sheets at the same time. As practice shows, cutting several sheets at the same time is much easier and more convenient than one.

It is important to understand that if you cut a single polycarbonate sheet of small thickness, then the material may crack during operation. In this case, it is best to use a guillotine cutter, but this method also has a significant drawback. the edges of the cut will turn out to be rough. If necessary, you can use a band saw up to 2 cm wide.

Preparation and marking of sheets

Before you start cutting polycarbonate for a greenhouse or any other structure, you must first carry out preparatory work and make the appropriate markings on the material.

The first step is to completely clean the place where you plan to cut the polymer material. All debris and unnecessary items must be removed. Necessary This is not for reasons of cleanliness, but so that during work nothing distracts from the process. After the surface is prepared, it is necessary to put a sheet of plywood or fiberboard on it. Only then can the cutting place be considered as flat as possible.

It is worth putting a polycarbonate letter on the workplace. In the event that the material has a laminated surface, a mirror or a special coating, then this side should look up. By the time the material is NOT cut, the protective film must remain in place.

Initially, the preliminary marking should be applied to a blank sheet of paper as a diagram with respect to scale. After that, you will need to transfer all the markup from the paper sheet to polycarbonate. For measurements at home, it is best to use a tape measure or a metal ruler. A black marker is used for marking. If you plan to work with large polycarbonate, then many experts recommend putting a board on the polymer material with a width of 10 cm and moving only along it. This approach will exclude damage to polycarbonate.

In the place where it is planned to cut the sheet, it is required to put wooden boards about 4 cm high and 10 cm wide on the right and left sides of the cut mowing line.In this case, the ends of the boards must look out from both sides of the polymer material.

Movement should be carried out on the board in the same way as at the time of drawing the corresponding markings. This is the only way NOT to damage the material by carrying out all work at home.

How to properly cut polycarbonate with a hacksaw

Very often, in order to cut polycarbonate, a hacksaw is used, designed for working on metal and having small and frequent teeth. This option allows you to cut the building material into square or rectangular pieces. If we compare the process of work, then it is necessary to dust polycarbonate according to the same step-by-step algorithm as when working with a construction knife.

Before you start cutting polycarbonate sheets at home, many experts recommend that you first take into account some of the nuances, among which the following points should be noted:

  • When cutting, the hacksaw should be positioned at an angle of 30 degrees;
  • If you have a workbench or a clamp, it is recommended to securely fix the polycarbonate sheets, which will greatly facilitate the cutting process.

It is worth cutting the material very carefully so as not only not to damage the letter, but also not to injure yourself.

How to cut polycarbonate at home

The cutting of cellular polycarbonate can be done in several ways. Each option has its own characteristics and nuances. That is why it is best to first study all the subtleties of the work and only after that choose a specific option that suits best.

How to cut polycarbonate at home

How to cut polycarbonate with a jigsaw

In order to cut the polycarbonate evenly, you can use an electric jigsaw. This option is considered an alternative to a construction knife and an angle grinder. In this case, it is important to choose the right pollen. In order to be able to cut polycarbonate as smoothly as possible, it is worth using straight pollen or with wavy teeth. The rest of the options are not recommended, since it will be extremely inconvenient to cut the product, in addition, burrs and cracks may remain.

The process of working at home begins in a similar way. the first step is to prepare a suitable place for cutting. It is best to use new pollen, which is set in an electric jigsaw before cutting. The fixation must be reliable, otherwise the saw will constantly fly out of the device.

The connected electrical device is brought from the end of the polycarbonate sheet according to the cut mowing line applied. To make working at home as comfortable as possible, you can initially apply notches.

The base plate of the power tool must be pressed against the material. In addition, it is necessary to monitor the downforce as there is a high probability that the polycarbonate will be damaged. The tool is slowly and carefully guided over the markings left. If you plan to cut wavy parts, then it is best to initially practice somewhere in order to cut accurately and evenly.

When the work at home is completed, the electric jigsaw should be disconnected from the electrical network, remove plastic shavings. If there are excess elements, they are cut off with a knife.

How to properly cut polycarbonate angle grinder

To cut solid polycarbonate to size, you can use an electric construction tool, such as an angle grinder. This option is great if you need to cut a large amount of polymer material at home.

For home use Cut-off wheels for metal must be used. At the moment when it is planned to cut the product, it is worth using an angle grinder at low speeds, which will eliminate the process of melting.

The step-by-step algorithm of work is as follows:

  • As in all other cases, you will need to prepare the surface for work in advance. Since an electric tool will be used, care must be taken to have a scaffold. Multiple boards can be used for THESE purposes.
  • In the absence of experience with an angle grinder, it is worth learning how to work on unnecessary pieces of polycarbonate. This approach will allow you to cut the letter as smoothly as possible and without consequences.
  • After the sander has been turned on and has reached the required number of revolutions, you can bring the cutting disc to the applied cut mowing line. It is necessary to move slowly, I control the position of the device along the applied mowing line. For home use Safety glasses must be worn.
  • After the cutting process has been completed, the device is disconnected from the power supply. If you had to cut cellular polycarbonate, then you will need to remove plastic shavings from the cells.

As you can see, using an angle grinder is quite simple, while the work will be done at home in the shortest possible period of time.

How to cut polycarbonate

A feature of polycarbonate is the fact that in order to cut it at home, you can use any construction tool.

In this case, the following is perfect:

  • Stationery or construction knife;
  • Electric jigsaw;
  • Angle grinder (angle grinder)
  • A circular saw;
  • A hacksaw designed for metal work.

If we consider industrial equipment, then you can use a milling machine, which has numerical control and several types of special laser.

It is worth considering the fact that there are a number of construction tools, which in no case should cut polycarbonate. This is due to the fact that there is a high probability of damage to the letter, as a result of which the quality will suffer greatly.

Many experts recommend refraining from using:

  • A hacksaw designed for woodworking. as you know, such a model has rather large teeth, due to which the material is NOT cut, but torn during operation. Ultimately, the cut will have a large number of cracks, nicks and burrs.
  • Construction scissors or metal scissors. this option is perfect for thin monolithic polycarbonate. Cellular polymer material will be deformed on both sides.

Choose the right tool before cutting polycarbonate.

Electric jigsaw

A household, most ordinary electric jigsaw is also quite suitable for working with polycarbonate letters, only you need to install a file with fine teeth on it, otherwise the material will tear, not cut. This tool, like the angle grinder, is quite easy to use, but in order to be completely confident in the quality of work, it is advisable to also practice in advance. An electric jigsaw is very much in demand, especially when you have to cut monolithic polycarbonate of complex decorative shapes or do it by rounding.

When only one letter needs to be cut, the risk of cracking increases significantly. To prevent damage to the material, you need to work only with a very well sharpened tool. There are craftsmen Who, when working with polycarbonate, use scissors. This is also perfectly acceptable. The main thing is that the tool used does NOT break the structure of the canvases.

Hacksaw

Beginners are usually interested in: is it possible to cut and how to cut cellular polycarbonate with a hacksaw or a hand saw? In the event that there is no experience, it is advisable NOT to use these tools: the canvases along the cuts may crack. Work best with power tools. But both beginners and experienced professionals need to fix polycarbonate sheets well so as not to allow vibration and stress in the material, which is also fraught with bad consequences.

Stationery knife

Perfectly cuts polymer plastic canvases and a stationery knife. over, even beginners can cope with this. The main thing is that the knife is of good quality, and the work is not done in a hurry. the blade of such tools is very sharp and it is impossible not only to make an incorrect cut, but also to get seriously injured. The stationery knife is suitable for honeycomb sheets with a thickness of 4-6 mm, but with 8 mm it is already quite difficult to work with. On thicker sheets, cutting polycarbonate is almost impossible, therefore, experts recommend using a knife only where it is necessary to trim the material, and even then, on leaves up to 10 mm.

Angle Grinder

The very first tool that almost everyone has and that can work with polycarbonate is an angle grinder. over, it is not at all necessary to use an expensive tool: even an inexpensive and small angle grinder will do all the work perfectly. To make even cuts, you need to set the circle 125, intended for metal. The only thing you need to pay attention to is experience, since the tool is distinguished by high revolutions, and if you did NOT have to work with it before, it is advisable to practice cutting from this material before cutting the polycarbonate. Where can I get them? Contact the craftsmen who are engaged in the manufacture of polycarbonate structures.

Laser cutting

In addition to the listed methods, you can also cut with a laser. But, to work with a laser machine, you need to have the Appropriate skills. In addition, not every craftsman has such a tool, therefore, laser cutting of polycarbonate is available only to those who deal with polycarbonate professionally. But, if there is an opportunity to perform the work with a laser, you must definitely use it, since this guarantees:

  • High speed of work;
  • No defects;
  • Excellent cutting quality;
  • Cutting accuracy: when working with a laser, the dimensional accuracy is maintained up to 0.05 mm;
  • When working, it is not necessary to fix sheets.

Any cutting material intended for work on metal or wood can be applied to the blades of solid polycarbonate, even a standard cutter for metal.

How and how to cut polycarbonate at home?

Cloths of polymer plastic, more familiar to everyone under the name polycarbonate, are becoming more and more popular every day. It is no coincidence: the relative cheapness and excellent properties of the material brought it to one of the first places in sales. It is also of great importance that almost anyone can work with it, if there is a desire. But since this is a new material, not everyone knows how to correctly and how to cut polycarbonate at home in order to get a high-quality cut and NOT spoil the material.

Tools. How to cut correctly?

Before cutting polycarbonate, experts prepare the workplace well beforehand. It is necessary:

  • Remove all foreign objects from the site: branches, pieces of planks and boards, even small pebbles. Ideally, the place should be clean. This is necessary so that there are NO dents, scratches and other damages on the polycarbonate canvases. It is best to pave the working area with sheets of chipboard, fiberboard or another suitable material for this purpose.
  • Use a marker and a long ruler or a second object on the panels to mark up. If you have to move along the canvases during this, it is necessary to lay a wide board and walk only on it so that dents do NOT appear on the polymer surface.
  • Before cutting polycarbonate to size, it is necessary to put boards under both sides of the markings applied with a marker, the size of which should NOT be less than 4 × 10 × 220 cm.On top of the canvas, in the same places, boards are again placed and, only then, you can will move on them.
  • If the cut is made on an even mowing line, you can work with an angle grinder, rounded parts go through with an electric jigsaw, and if you need to make a slight adjustment, a clerical knife will do.
  • If the work is performed on material with a laminated or mirror surface, it is very important to correctly position the canvas in the workplace: the laminated or mirror coating must be returned upwards. What is better for this kind of polycarbonate dust? The same tools as other types of material, but using a hacksaw is not acceptable: mirror or laminated layers can peel off.
  • When working with canvases of cellular polymer plastic, if the cut is made along the length of the sheet, the markings can be omitted: the honeycombs themselves will serve as a guide. Thanks to this, it will not even work on the surface of the material.
  • After completing the sawing work of honeycomb blades, it is necessary to blow out all the seams with compressed air to remove dust and chips that have got inside.

And most importantly, before cutting polycarbonate with an electric jigsaw or an angle grinder, you need to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from microparticles and dust. And one more thing. you should always remember the popular wisdom, which says that before you cut it off, you need to measure it seven times. this will help save both money and time.

Jigsaw

Sometimes the only acceptable option for polycarbonate dusting is an electric jigsaw. With this tool, you can cut material of any type and thickness. over, the jigsaw allows you to perform figured cutting of monolithic polycarbonate of any complexity in the shortest possible time. However, in the process of work, you need to use the smallest nail file so that the material is NOT damaged.

As is the case with the angle grinder, it is better to stuff your hand into the polycarbonate cutting on small pieces of material. Having acquired the necessary skill, it will be possible to proceed to making cutouts of a complex configuration.

Experienced builders cut thin sheets of polycarbonate 4 mm thick, folding them in several layers and cutting everything together. This makes work easier and faster as thin sheets DO NOT break or deteriorate.

The need for proper cutting of polycarbonate

In the process of any work, it is almost always necessary to cut polycarbonate in order to fit it to the size of the structure. It is advisable to perform this procedure correctly the first time. this will save you time and effort in the first place.

In case of improper cutting, the material may be damaged, deformed, which will make it impossible for its further use. And since polycarbonate cannot be called cheap, the costs are quite tangible.

Slicing with an angle grinder

Cutting polycarbonate at home with an angle grinder is a fairly common way of working. To do this, use a circle 25 for metal.

It is difficult to overestimate the value of this tool. in the right hands, it can be used in a variety of construction processes.

Using an angle grinder can cut polycarbonate very quickly. The main thing is not to put pressure on the material so that it does not burst, especially if your tool is operating at high speeds.

It is recommended that you practice cutting into small pieces to determine the pressure. In any case, do not press hard, making the cut as carefully as possible.

Bonding sheets at home

In some cases, polycarbonate is glued, and the sheets need to be glued to each other. For this, a polyurethane-based glue is considered optimal. With its help, a reliable coupling of polycarbonate with a similar letter, with glass or metal is provided. This achieves a high mechanical and chemical resistance of the compound.

What and how best to cut. Key recommendations

When cutting polycarbonate, you should follow these steps:

  • The work area must be clean and NOT contain any debris. This will avoid cracks, dents and deformation. For convenience, you can put drywall, chipboard or fiberboard under the polycarbonate letter.
  • Before starting cutting on polycarbonate, mark it with a marker, which will be clearly visible.
  • In those cases when in the future it will be necessary to move along the polycarbonate sheet, the floor of it needs to be covered with a boardwalk, which will allow you to distribute the load. Then no dents or cracks in the material will appear.
  • Cutting must be done from the side of the laminate or mirror finish. By the end of the work Also, do not remove the protective film.
  • After the cutting of the material is completed, it is necessary to remove waste and dust from the surface of the sheet, as well as shake out the debris from the cells.

If you need to drill polycarbonate, you will need standard metal drills. Even a beginner can do this process.

Pay attention to just a few nuances:

  • You need to make holes in the intervals between the stiffeners;
  • From the edge of the sheet, you need to retreat at least 4 cm so that the piece of the plate does NOT break.

Material characteristics

The demand for this material is largely due to its characteristics.

The most significant advantages of polycarbonate are as follows:

  • The impact resistance of the material, that is, the ability to withstand significant mechanical loads. It is almost impossible to break it, on impact, small fragments are not formed, which can cut yourself.
  • Ease of styling.
  • Flexibility. Due to this indicator, polycarbonate is often used for glazing various frames.

However, polycarbonate is extremely sensitive to UV radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations. Under the influence of THESE factors, the material gradually loses its transparency, acquiring a yellowish or mealy tint, and also becomes very fragile.

There are several types of polycarbonate, however, the most in demand are monolithic and cellular.

When working with this or that type of material, it is extremely important to know how to cut polycarbonate correctly so as not to damage it. Next, we will describe a few common methods.

Laser cutting

The newest way to cut polycarbonate is laser cutting. This requires special equipment that generates a laser beam, and cuts the polycarbonate sheet.

Among the advantages of this method are:

  • Perfectly smooth edge;
  • The ability to cut material of various thicknesses;
  • High manipulation speed.

However, there are some disadvantages to laser cutting:

  • Special expensive equipment is required to carry out the work. It is advisable to purchase it only if it is planned to use it professionally in the future.
  • Before starting cutting, it is necessary to correctly configure the equipment. this requires certain skills.

Thus, laser cutting is acceptable for only a small number of users. Of all the options for cutting cellular polycarbonate, you should still choose an angle grinder or an electric jigsaw. After some training with such tools, you can make a beautiful, high-quality cut.

Having dealt with the basic tools, we will tell you how to cut polycarbonate with one of them.

Using a utility knife

When deciding what is better to cut polycarbonate, you should pay attention to a simple and affordable tool. a clerical knife. Even novice builders can use it.

Such a tool can cope with letters of cellular polycarbonate, 4-6 mm thick. But material with a thickness of 8 mm or more with a clerical knife will be quite difficult to cut.

Of course, you need to use a quality knife with a sharp tip and blade for work. Then it will be very easy to make a cut.

Before cutting polycarbonate, you need to measure a piece of the desired size and mark it. A ruler or any other flat bar is applied to the applied marks, and a knife is drawn along it.

How to cut polycarbonate. safe cutting methods, suitable tools for the home

Such a modern material as polycarbonate is actively used in construction, as well as decorating buildings and various structures. In this article, we will talk about how to cut polycarbonate at home in order to get pieces of material of the right size. We will describe several types of tools, as well as give some tips for installing polycarbonate.