If you have to cut through corrugated plastic, there are many different tools that could be used. For cutting through heavy-duty plastic, such as is used for roofing, there are better options available.
A circular saw equipped with a carbide blade is the best option for cutting through corrugated plastic roofing. As long as you secure the plastic before working with it, you can make accurate cuts quickly and easily.
There are certain things that need to be kept in mind when you use a circular saw for cutting a heavy-duty corrugated plastic sheet. First of all, kickback is a real possibility so you need to work carefully to avoid having the saw blade bind.
This includes what would happen if you had somebody helping you by holding the corrugated plastic as you are cutting it. When the cut is complete, the plastic should fall away from the area. That will limit the possibility of kickback.
What Can You Use To Cut Corrugated Plastic? (How To)
In this article, we are going to consider some specifics on how to cut corrugated plastic roofing. That is a heavy-duty type of plastic that needs heavy-duty tools in order to get the job done.
There are also some other types of corrugated plastics that may not be so heavy-duty. These are often used for crafting, and they can be cut with a pair of scissors or a utility knife.
We will talk about both types of plastic in this article, depending upon the tool that is being considered. Keep in mind, however, that the thicker the plastic, the more difficult it is going to be to cut.
One important factor to consider is safety. You need to cut the plastic safely as well as cutting it accurately.
For cutting plastic, the most important things to consider are PPE. You should always wear safety glasses or goggles. Some people may even prefer to wear a face shield but if you do, you should still wear safety glasses under the face shield.
If you’re cutting a lot of plastic, you should wear a respirator to avoid breathing in too much of the plastic dust. At a minimum, using a disposable respirator, such as an N95 is preferred. Standard dust respirators will not work as well.
Finally, you may find that plastic is an irritant to your skin. If you are cutting a lot of plastic, you should wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Throughout this article, we will consider some of the tools you should use for cutting corrugated plastic. We will also point out some that are not useful for that purpose.
Can You Use Cricut To Cut Corrugated Plastic?
If you are cutting through a thin piece of corrugated plastic, can you use a Cricut machine to make the cut?
You can use a Cricut machine for cutting very thin pieces of plastic. You should set up the machine and attach the plastic to the cutting board in a similar way that you would do with a piece of paper.
One of the keys to making the cut successfully is to make multiple passes. Eventually, the Cricut will cut through the material enough so that the piece will pop out.
You may need to loosen the tape and try to pop out the piece of plastic. Be careful not to remove the plastic from the machine until you are finished.
Can You Use Jigsaw To Cut Corrugated Plastic?
If you are cutting a piece of plastic corrugated roofing, can you use a jigsaw to do so?
A jigsaw is not the best tool for cutting through plastic corrugated roofing. More than likely, the blade will bind because it is not long enough to match both the thin and thick parts of the plastic roofing.
In a pinch, you may be able to use a jigsaw for this purpose. You need to cut carefully, using a carbide blade, and ensure that you are getting through the entire piece of plastic in the process.
Hold onto the jigsaw carefully because, if you get in a bind, you will not want it to kick back.
Can You Use Circular Saw To Cut Corrugated Plastic?
A circular saw is a very common tool. Is it a good choice for cutting through corrugated plastic roofing?
You can easily cut through thick corrugated plastic with a circular saw. Make sure you use a carbide blade and secure the plastic before making the cut. Otherwise, you may find that the saw is binding and it could kick back on you.
If you cut through corrugated plastic with a circular saw, you should set the depth of the blade to cut the entire way through the piece of material. Otherwise, you would have to flip the piece over and make a second cut.
Can You Use Scissors To Cut Corrugated Plastic?
Scissors are a common tool that can be used for cutting a wide variety of materials. Are they also a good choice for cutting corrugated plastic?
Scissors can be used to cut through very thin pieces of corrugated plastic. If you are cutting through heavy-duty corrugated plastic, however, you should use a power saw, such as a circular saw to get the job done.
They do have some heavy-duty scissors that are available for cutting thicker material. In theory, you may be able to use some of those quality scissors for cutting thick pieces of corrugated plastic but it is not going to be the best choice.
Can You Use Tin Snips To Cut Corrugated Plastic?
If you have tin snips available, can they be used for cutting through corrugated plastic roofing?
Tin snips are often used for cutting through metal roofing and they may be able to be used for cutting through plastic, but you have to be careful. Sometimes, you may end up cracking the roofing while you are trying to cut it with tin snips.
If you must use a pair of tin snips for this job, it’s best if you test things with a small piece of plastic before you start cutting through a new piece. It will save you a lot of headaches and perhaps some money if you do this in advance.
Can You Use a Laser To Cut Corrugated Plastic?
If you have a laser available, can it be used for cutting corrugated plastic?
Corrugated plastic can be cut using a laser but that is not going to be the best choice. That is especially true for corrugated plastic roofing, which is made from polyvinyl chloride. PVC plastic tends to melt rather than cut and you could catch it on fire.
How To Cut Corrugated Plastic
There are always multiple ways to do any job but there is typically only one best way to do it. If you’re trying to cut through heavy-duty corrugated plastic, here’s the right way to get it done.
One important factor to consider when cutting through corrugated plastic is to secure the plastic so it doesn’t move. If you don’t have the proper support for the plastic, it is likely to slip. This can cause the cut to go off or it could cause harm to you physically.
One option for securing the sheet of plastic is to use a portable workbench or some sawhorses. It is also best if you have somebody helping you with the job to hold the plastic in place.
After you have secured the plastic, you should measure how much you need and mark the surface. If you have to cut more than a few feet from the edge of the plastic, somebody should help support that piece while you are cutting.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 25, 2022.
Always pay careful attention to your safety while making the cut. You should wear goggles or a face shield with safety classes underneath. More than likely, you will have pieces of plastic flying and you don’t want to get some in your eye.
Additionally, kickback is a problem that could cause serious injury or worse. Set the blade to only cut through the plastic and make sure you are using a circular saw with a carbide-tipped blade.
At the beginning of the cut, you should open the guard for the blade using the arm on the side. If you try to allow the guard to open naturally, it will likely bind and cause problems.
Once you start cutting the plastic, the guard should be left free so that it will rest on the material. It will continue to work in your favor, protecting you in the area it is covering.
Continue to cut through the plastic on the line, making sure to work slowly and not trying to force the saw through the plastic. As you come out on the forward edge, whoever is supporting the piece of plastic should allow it to fall away to keep the saw from binding.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 25, 2022.
Although you can use many tools for cutting corrugated plastic, a circular saw equipped with a carbide tip blade is the best option. If you are cutting through a thin corrugated plastic sheet, you can use scissors or a utility knife.
Related Articles
What Can You Use to Cut Gas Pipe? (How To)
What Can You Use To Cut Metal Studs? (How To)
What Can You Use to Cut Corrugated Metal?
What Can You Use To Cut Pex Pipe? (How To)
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 25, 2022.