People use lightweight, strong, and moldable plastics in different products. Products that contain comfort, safety, and convenience in our everyday lives. We find plastic in blankets, carpets, and pillows. All these items provide good comfort to us and our homes.

We also see plastic material in coolers and bottles that allow us to take drinks with us anywhere we go. You may not know but it is quite frustrating and harder to cut plastics, especially if you don’t know about the right tools and methods.

Use Scissors to cut Plastic

It is not easy to cut plastic with scissors. Although some people don’t recommend it, knowing the right method can help you cut plastic easily. This, in particular, is useful when you don’t have other types of tools available at home.

You can’t cut all types of plastic with scissors. The most effective way to cut it with scissors is to use cordless scissors. You can buy them in your local hardware and tool store. These are power scissors, which can cut through the plastic material.

Types of plastic you can cut with scissors

As mentioned above, you can’t cut all types of plastic material with scissors. For instance, you can cut bags, packaging, and bottles made of plastic with heavy-duty scissors. On the other hand, you need a different tool for cutting PVC pipe, Plexiglas, or other types of thick plastic material.

There are different techniques and tools you can use to cut a wide range of plastic material. Before you start any cutting task or project such as cutting plastic or modifying equipment, it is important to wear protective gear like gloves and safety glasses.

This way, you can secure the material with clamps and prevent breaking, slipping, and bending of plastics. At the same time, the protective gear is for your safety. Here are some ways to cut plastic

Hand Saw Method

If you have thick plastic material and want to make a straight cut, you can use a hand saw. Examples of thick plastic are Plexiglas and PVC pipe. Before you fully cut through the plastic, make sure you mark a line on the material so that you achieve an accurate cut.

Like other tools and methods, the handsaw technique also has a downside – i.e. it leaves a rough edge on the material. Therefore, you need to buff and sand the material to create smooth edges.

Jigsaw Method

Another method to cut your plastic material is using a jigsaw. This tool comes in handy when you want a curved or round-shaped cut in the plastic. A jigsaw is a sophisticated tool and many people like it because it offers secure cutting and easy clamping.

Dremel Method

Another tool you can use to cut plastic is Dremel. It is a versatile cutting tool that you can use to achieve a variety of cuts. So, you can use a cut-off wheel to cut the material with the help of a Dremel.

A Dremel comes in handy when it comes to achieving a straight cut. Simply put, this type of tool is not good for achieving curved shaped cuts. If you buy a quality Dremel, you can even cut thicker plastic-like PVC pipe and Plexiglas.

Hot Knife

Many people ask whether or not it’s a good idea to cut plastic material with a hot knife. Well, yes, you can cut it with a hot knife. In fact, this method is reliable to cut plastic smoothly. A hot knife works on all kinds of plastic material. So, this is a good tool for cutting plastic and reliable for home improvement projects. You can buy hot knives at your local tool store or online.

You can also make a hot knife at home. For that, you need to know the soldering method. For instance, you can use a hammer or mallet to flatten the round tip of the knife into a hot knife, which you can use for cutting plastic.

Table Saw

You can use a non-melt cutting blade to cut large plastic sheets like Plexiglas. This is the right tool for carrying out this project. Using the saw blade, you can cut through the plastic smoothly and straight without having rough edges. We recommend using a table saw that comes with a special cutting blade. Although you can use a jigsaw but then again, if you want an accurate cut, a table is much better.

Conclusion

There are various types of plastic material, which we can use for a wide variety of purposes and home projects. For example, you can use it plastic for miniature building, craft projects, and other home improvement jobs.

Also, you can use PVC pipes for crafts, plumbing, and landscaping projects. So much so, plastic items like bags, bottles, and packaging are multi-purpose items that we use often.

If you have knowledge of different methods and understand how to use different tools, you can cut any type of plastic. Otherwise, you may find it difficult to cut through the material. Thinner plastic requires light tools whereas thicker ones need heavier tools.

What can I use to cut hard plastic?

How do you cut plastic neatly?

The best tool for cutting hard plastic is a saw or a piece of string. Hard plastic can be thin or thick but differs from the rest because of its brittleness. Hard plastic examples include plastic pegs and plastic toys.

Can an Exacto knife cut plastic?

Depending on the type of plastic you need to cut through, use a fine-toothed saw, a hacksaw, or a non-melting table saw blade. You can also drill small holes to make the plastic easier to cut through, or slice through thick plastic with a piece of string.

How can I cut plastic without tools?

Can an Exacto knife cut plastic? I own one, but i have found a cheap substitute is just an exacto knife, but drag it with the blade pointing up toward you, with the dull side and tip actually touching the plastic. A few scores should help get all the way through, or at least to a point you can snap it out.

Will a Dremel cut plastic?

You can use a hacksaw, fine-toothed saw, circular saw, or jigsaw to cut plastic. If you use a hacksaw or circular saw, you’ll also need a plastic cutting blade. Avoid using saws or blades with large teeth because they will chip or break the plastic and create rough edges.

How do you cut hard plastic smoothly?

Multipurpose Cutting Bit: 561

The Dremel 561 cuts hard wood up to 3/8″ and soft wood up to 5/8″. Also cuts plastics, fiberglass, drywall, laminate, aluminum and vinyl siding.

Can a box cutter cut plastic?

Can you use scissors to cut plastic?

Using only a box cutter and a ruler (and a clamp if you need one) you too can cut plastic. You should never take the protective film off of your plastic until the last possible minute to avoid scratches.

What Dremel bit do I use to cut plastic?

It’s best to cut thinner plastics with scissors or shears. For example, you can easily cut plastic packaging, bags, and bottles with heavy-duty scissors. If you want to cut heavier plastics, like PVC pipe or plexiglass, you will want to use a different tool.

What is the best way to cut ABS plastic?

Turn your Dremel rotary tool into a simple-to-use rotary saw. Our 561 high-speed multi-purpose cutter gives you the power to easily cut wood, plastic, fiberglass, drywall, laminate, and aluminum and vinyl siding. 1/8-inch steel shank.

Product Specifications.

DIMENSIONS
Bit Diameter Inch: 1/8″
Shank Diameter: 0.125

Can I cut acrylic with a Dremel?

How do you cut plastic with a multi tool?

A Dremel is commonly used for many applications, including cutting glass. Acrylic is a clear plastic also commonly called plexiglass. It is much stronger than glass and serves the same purpose. Using a Dremel is one of the best options when cutting acrylic, and it’s an easy enough task for most homeowner to take on.

Can I cut PVC with multi-tool?

Can you cut stone with a multi-tool?

Cut Plastic Pipe

Cutting long lengths of PVC or ABS pipe to length with a power miter saw or even a handsaw is easy and efficient. But when you need to trim plastic pipe during retrofit, remodeling or demolition situations — including under sinks, behind walls or deep in trenches — reach for an oscillating multi–tool.

Can a multi-tool cut concrete?

Multi–tool blades come in many shapes and sizes. Cutting through cement, brick or stone can be very easy and your multi-saw will shine like a star when you use the right oscillating blade. However, for the toughest materials like rock, concrete, brick, stone, and grout, the best option is to use is a diamond blade saw.

Can a Dremel tool cut concrete?

Concrete. Concrete slab cut with an oscillating multi–tool. Diamond grit segment blades are the best choice for concrete, but carbide grit and carbide saw blades also work. An oscillating multi–tool can be used to cut concrete.

Will a multi-tool cut through screws?

Dremel 545 and EZ545 are both diamond wheels great for cutting, sawing and carving hard materials; such as, marble, concrete, brick, porcelain, ceramics, hard epoxy and soft and hard wood. Do not use them on metals.

What can multi-tool cut?

Tips for Cutting Metal With Your Oscillating Tool

With an oscillating power tool like the 20V Maxlithium Sonicrafter Oscillating Multi–tool, you can cut through metal with no problem.