car card holders

[spidge]

I would like to use Plexiglass for car card holders. What is the best way to cut plexiglass? I have used a utility knife in the oast and after a few stokes am ready to give up. I have a table saw but am afraid I would make a mess of the plexiglass.

[reklein]

Depends on the weight of the plexi.For the heavier stuff say 1/4" use your table saw. For the lighter wieghts say 1/8" Use an acrylic scriber and snap off on the lines over the edge of you work table.A lot like cutting styrene. The scriber should be available at you local Hardware store,specially it it sell laminate cabinet tops.Almost forgot, be sure to scribe along a good staight edge like a good square,it would be good to clamp down the straight edge.

[spidge]

Is that the small hand tool that looks 1" spreader that curves into a tip?

[GraniteRailroader]

Just use your table saw.

In the machine shop we routinely cut 1/8" thick plexi with it and have no problems with it making a mess. It can leave a pretty rough and sharp edge, so just make sure to hit it with some sandpaper to take away some of the burrs.

If you have a dremel, depending on the length you are cutting, you can use a router bit with it.

[Printer]

I have had problems with plexi splitting or cracking off line in the past. I solved this by puttiing a layer of masking tape along the cut line on both sides before I start to cut.

Scoot

[reklein]

Spidge,sorry about the late comeback,my wife made me cut down the old sunflowers,now the finches are fighting over where to perch at the feeder. Yeah,the tool has a one handed handle with a curved blade with little carbide tooth on the end. Works good on the thin stuff. Like the dude said though,it'll need a little sandpaper or maybe a good sharp mill file.

[spidge]

Thanks to all for the responses. I will try the table saw and cutting tool. I will post the results asap, maybe tomorrow.

[GraniteRailroader]

Here's another easy alternative for you if you can't get the plexi to work.

Ge a package of the "reinforcemants" for when you put binder holes in a piece of paper, and put rings through them on your individual car cards. Hang a few eyehooks around the layout to hang hte rings on and you're all set.

I happen to like the ring / hook type better, simply because the cards don't end up in one giant pile if you space the hooks out.

[spidge]

Well I used a combination of materials I had laying around.

I used the table saw to cut the plexi. I think the key to a clean cut was to set the blade low enough to barely go through complettely. I like the results. I left the ends open as I would think it would be nice to move the cards through the side when you cannot get a hold on them.

[reklein]

Looks like a nice neat installation.Thanks for the pic.