Best saw for cutting plastic – How to Use Each

The best saw for cutting plastic is critical in many sectors and home improvement projects.

Whether you’re a specialist or a DIY project enthusiast, the appropriate equipment can make plastic cutting easier and more accurate.

Due to the rising popularity of plastic products, numerous cutting instruments are all purporting to be the best.

However, the suitable selection depends on the particular project, the type of plastic, and the desired outcome.

This article reviews some of the best saws for cutting plastic, including their functionalities, benefits, and drawbacks.

Best Tool For Cutting Thin Plastic

Utility Knife

Utility Knife

For those seeking a cost-effective, convenient, and versatile option for cutting thin plastic, consider the Internet’s Best

Premium Utility Knife. It features a heavy-duty metal design for longevity and a rubber handle for a comfortable firm safe grip.

Pros and cons

  • It comes with five replacement blades
  • Easy to change razors with a quick-release button
  • Lightweight for better handling
  • Retractable for enhanced safety
  • It might not be suitable for heavy-duty cutting

Customer review

I bought it for opening boxes, but I was surprised by how effectively it cuts plastic during my home remodeling project.

How to Cut Using a Utility Knife

When cutting a thin plastic, a sharp utility knife might help when you follow these steps.

  1. Secure the plastic in place and mark where you want to cut.
  2. Using a sharp utility knife, score the plastic severally until you achieve a deep groove.
  3. Turn the plastic and do the same on the other side.
  4. Finally, snap the piece off.

Best Tool For Cutting Thick Plastic

Fine-toothed saw

Fine-toothed saw

Although made primarily for wood, this saw features fine teeth that can precisely cut through plastic without damaging it.

It is lightweight, requires minimal cutting power, and ensures cleaner edges.

Pros and cons

  • Enhanced sharpness for precise and fast cutting
  • Made of high-quality steel for strength and durability
  • It’s versatile, accurate, and easy to use
  • Easy to remove the blade from the handle and attach another.
  • The handle is not ergonomic enough for heavy-duty cutting

Customer reviews

When I bought this saw, I never knew it would be my workshop’s most used one. It’s super accurate and easy to use, especially for beginners.

Jigsaw

Jigsaw

The BLACK+DECKER Jig Saw is a 5 amp high-performance tool that can precisely cut hard plastic or wood.

It features a variable-speed motor that produces 3,000 SPM cutting power for seamless curved or rounded cuts in plastic.

Pros and cons

  • Can make curved, round, or beveled cuts
  • Feature an adjustable shoe with a wire guard for added stability
  • With four curve settings to enhance control over rounded cuts
  • With seamless changing of blade
  • Ensures clean work with a built-in dust blower
  • It may not be suitable for brittle plastic
  • The blade may overheat and destroy the cutting material.

Customer review

It’s a versatile, powerful, and sturdy tool for home improvement projects.

Table saw

Table saw

The DEWALT Table Saw is a high-quality machine built to be compact for easy storage and transportation.

The machine has 24.5 inches of rip capacity and a 5800 rpm motor for versatility.

Pros and cons

  • With rack and pinion telescoping fence rails making fence adjustments seamless and precise
  • It comes in a metal roll cage for durability
  • Come with Anti-Kickback Pawls for safety
  • It comes with several other important tools, such as a blade change wrench and a miter gauge.
  • It cannot use a dado blade.
  • It might burn or destroy plastic if you use the wrong blade

Customer reviews

This saw is very compact and versatile- worth every cent I paid.

Hacksaw

Hacksaw

If you seek a cutting tool for working on various materials such as plastic and wood, consider CRAFTSMAN 12-Inch Hacksaw.

The hack saw features a solid metal frame construction and a plastic ergonomic smooth-cut handle.

Pros and cons

  • Designed for high tension up to 225 lbs to ensure versatility
  • With over 4.3 inches cutting depth for thick material cutting
  • With 90 and 180-degree adjustable blade angels for flush cuts
  • With a full grip handle for enhanced power when cutting hard, thick plastic.
  • It comes with a large tension adjustment knob for comfortable adjustments
  • Not suitable for large-scale projects
  • Cannot cut metallic materials

Customer reviews

It is an amazing hacksaw for home projects and always runs smoothly when cutting.

Best saw for cutting plastic: How to Cut Thick Plastic Using a Saw

Saws such as table saws, fine-toothed, circular saws,  jigsaws, and hacksaws are the best for cutting thick plastic.

While a fine-toothed saw and hacksaw cuts thick plastic, thicker and harder plastic requires a jigsaw or a table saw.

Using any powered saws above, use a non-melting saw blade designed to cut plastic. Using a regular blade may generate heat and melt the plastic.

Use the below step when using a saw to cut plastic.

  1. Use a permanent marker to draw the cutting line on the plastic.
  2. Secure the plastic in place using a clamp.
  3. Cutting through the marked line using your chosen saw
  4. If using a table saw, pass the plastic’s cutting line through the saw’s blade, as you would when cutting wood.

Best Tool For Cutting Hard Plastic

Drill

Drill

You want to cut or even wood to make holes through the plastic.

You may require LACK+DECKER 20V Cordless Drill. It features an 11-position clutch to control precise torque and prevent damage when drilling different materials.

Pros and cons

  • Compact lightweight design
  • Rubber padded handle for an enhanced grip
  • Battery features lithium-ion technology for longer life.
  • Versatile for various drilling projects
  • Not enough power for heavy-duty drilling
  • It may overheat when used extensively 

Customer review

This drill is a great addition to my workshop, especially for that affordable price.

Best saw for cutting plastic: How to Cut Plastic Using a Drill

A drill works as a cutting facilitator rather than the actual cutter. Since cutting hard plastic using a knife or a saw can be tedious, using a drill to make holes in the plastic makes cutting easier.

Therefore, this method requires a utility knife, a drill, and drill bits. Then follow the following procedure.

  • Mark the cutting line on the plastic’s surface.
  • Draw small holes evenly distributed along the cutting line; ensure they are as close as possible.
  • Attach the smallest diameter drill bit to the drill.
  • Begin drilling on the marked holes to weaken the plastic cutting line.
  • Use a knife to cut along the drilled hole until you cut the plastic.

Hot Knife

You can also make a hot knife using a soldering iron to cut through the plastic.

Although this method may be time-consuming, it can be a long-term DIY method for home plastic cutting.

This method requires a soldering iron, utility knife blade, and M5 screw.

How to make a hot knife to cut plastic

Identify the marks on the knife blade and snap a small portion of the knife blade through the marks.

  1. Using a screwdriver, unscrew the soldering iron tip and remove it.
  2. Put the M5 screw inside the empty hollow of the soldering iron.
  3. Mark the top of the screw according to the blade size you snapped.
  4. Remove the M5 screw from the soldering gun and clamp it tightly with the top facing up.
  5. Using a hacksaw, deepen the mark on the screw to around half an inch.
  6. Put the blade inside the groove and screw the M5 screw tightly inside the soldering gun.
  7. Plug the soldering iron in power and wait for it to heat.
  8. You can then use your homemade hot knife to cut plastic.

How to Use String For Cutting Plastic

This traditional method, friction sawing, is suitable for cutting thin plastic. For this method, use a Nylon or Polyester thread.

  1. Test if the string is breakable by pulling its ends. If it stays intact, it’s up to the task.
  2. Mark the area you want to cut and make a small hole there.
  3. Pass the string through the hole, moving it back and forth while holding both ends rapidly.
  4. It will create friction which cuts the plastic effectively.

Conclusion

To cut through plastic, the choice of the saw or tool you use depends on the thickness of the material.

Ensure you select the above tools depending on your project.

Also, wear protective gear such as masks, goggles, and gloves.