scroll saws

SCROLL SAWS

Scroll saws may be used for cutting sharp radii and closed holes in thin sheets of Chemcast® GP, but are less suitable for cutting thick sections or multiple sheets. Because of the short stroke, scroll saw blades do not clear the chips and tend to gum up. When this happens, the Chemcast® GP softons and welds around the blade. Scroll saws must be used with a light feed and without forcing the work. The teeth should be cleared often. As soon as the blade stops cutting cleanly, it should be backed out, the chips removed, and the Chemcast® GP cooled.

Welding of the Chemcast® GP behind the blade may be alleviated by using two blades mounted side by side or by placing a piece of corrugated fiberboard beneath the sheet of Chemcast® GP. A coolant may also be used. Blades should be finetoothed with 14 or more teeth to the inch. Holddowns are necessary to prevent vibration.

SABRE SAWS

Portable sabre saws may also be used for making either straight or curved cuts in Chemcast® GP acrylic sheet. When using this type of saw, however, it is necessary to provide adequate support for the Chemcast® GP, since the vibration caused by the reciprocating action of the saw blade may chip or crack the Chemcast® GP. Chisel type sabre saws should be adjusted so that the cutting chisel stroke is about 3/16" greater than the thickness of the work to be cut. Two thickness' of corrugated fiberboard should be placed on the working surface under the Chemcast® GP. The stroke of the chisel should clear the upper surface of the Chemcast® GP by about 1/16" and penetrate into the corrugated fiberboard about 1/8", thus driving the Chemcast® GP chips into the board.

VENEER SAWS

Veneer saws are small circular saws mounted on arbors and powered by high speed electric or air motors. They are available as stationary or portable models. The saw blades are made in 3" and 4" diameters with several teeth per inch and have considerable set. They should be driven at 10,000 to 15,000 rpm to give a surface speed of 8,000 to 15,000 feet per minute. Veneer saws cannot be well guarded and must be used with great care.

Portable veneer saws are most often used to trim large formed parts of Chemcast® GP held in trimming jigs or fixtures. Stationary veneer saws can be used in woodworking shapers or routers for trimming the flanges of compound formed parts when the flange is in one plane. The height of the saw is adjusted to the proper distance above the table and the work is moved past the revolving blade.

Cutting Chemcast GP and Vical Sheet