Some time ago I had to score the replacement light panels (maybe a
plastic type material) for my kitchen lighting because the standard
size did not fit. Here is a similar picture of the kitchen light
panels in my kitchen...

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...fuser+Fluoresc
ent+Decorative+Panel+-+Lighting+Universe&sigr=155emmqla&sigi=14u1n1ous&s igb=12e4itcmn&fr=chr-greentree_ff


or if this URL is too long...

http://tinyurl.com/7c2j28g


It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???

On 3/3/2012 2:55 AM, Doug wrote:
Some time ago I had to score the replacement light panels (maybe a
plastic type material) for my kitchen lighting because the standard
size did not fit. Here is a similar picture of the kitchen light
panels in my kitchen...

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...Diffuser+Fluor
esc
ent+Decorative+Panel+-+Lighting+Universe&sigr=155emmqla&sigi=14u1n1ous&s igb=12e4itcmn&fr=chr-greentree_ff


or if this URL is too long...

http://tinyurl.com/7c2j28g


It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???

They're cut with a hot wire cutter

"Doug" wrote:

Some time ago I had to score the replacement light panels (maybe a
plastic type material) for my kitchen lighting because the standard
size did not fit. Here is a similar picture of the kitchen light
panels in my kitchen...

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...ffuser+Fluores
c
ent+Decorative+Panel+-+Lighting+Universe&sigr=155emmqla&sigi=14u1n1ous&s igb=12e4itcmn&fr=chr-greentree_ff


or if this URL is too long...

http://tinyurl.com/7c2j28g


It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???

I go with several light scores with a fresh blade [for every panel] in
a razor knife. Then snap and sand.

I clamp my straightedge to the piece-- and make sure there is a a
sharp edge under the cut- [I like a piece of planed 5/4 pine that I
usually have handy.

Jim

"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message
...
"Doug" wrote:

Some time ago I had to score the replacement light panels (maybe a
plastic type material) for my kitchen lighting because the standard
size did not fit. Here is a similar picture of the kitchen light
panels in my kitchen...


SNIP!!


or if this URL is too long...

http://tinyurl.com/7c2j28g


It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???

I go with several light scores with a fresh blade [for every panel] in
a razor knife. Then snap and sand.

I clamp my straightedge to the piece-- and make sure there is a a
sharp edge under the cut- [I like a piece of planed 5/4 pine that I
usually have handy.

Jim

Jim's technique is what I use too. Keeping the knife in the same groove for
multiple scores is the tricky part.

I tried both power saws and hand saws for cutting plastic louvers and
smaller plastic panels once. Not a good idea because the heat at the cut
causes the plastic to melt into a gooey mess. Maybe there's a special saw
blade or slow-sawing technique that works, but scoring/sanding is simple.

Tomsic

On Sat, 03 Mar 2012 08:54:24 -0500, Tomsic wrote:
I tried both power saws and hand saws for cutting plastic louvers and
smaller plastic panels once. Not a good idea because the heat at the
cut causes the plastic to melt into a gooey mess. Maybe there's a
special saw blade or slow-sawing technique that works, but
scoring/sanding is simple.

I've had success before with a very fine-toothed saw blade and using lots
of oil to absorb the heat. I'm wondering now if I can get such a blade
for my wet tile saw though (I used oil before because obviously water
doesn't mix well with most power tools :-)

cheers

Jules

On Mar 3, 2:55*am, "Doug" wrote:
Some time ago I had to score the replacement light panels (maybe a
plastic type material) for my kitchen lighting because the standard
size did not fit. * Here is a similar picture of the kitchen light
panels in my kitchen...

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...%2F%2Fsearch.y....
ent+Decorative+Panel+-+Lighting+Universe&sigr=155emmqla&sigi=14u1n1ous&s igb =12e4itcmn&fr=chr-greentree_ff

or if this URL is too long...

http://tinyurl.com/7c2j28g

It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. *I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. *Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???

Yeah, score it on the smooth side several times with a plexiglass
cutter and then snap it on the edge of a tabletop or workbench.

Home Depot sells cheap cutters like this one

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Devil-1170.../dp/B000BZZ1D0

On Mar 3, 7:10*am, RBM wrote:
On 3/3/2012 2:55 AM, Doug wrote:









Some time ago I had to score the replacement light panels (maybe a
plastic type material) for my kitchen lighting because the standard
size did not fit. * Here is a similar picture of the kitchen light
panels in my kitchen...

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...%2F%2Fsearch.y....
esc
ent+Decorative+Panel+-+Lighting+Universe&sigr=155emmqla&sigi=14u1n1ous&s igb =12e4itcmn&fr=chr-greentree_ff

or if this URL is too long...

http://tinyurl.com/7c2j28g

It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. *I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. *Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???

They're cut with a hot wire cutter

I've cut HUNDREDS of them with a plexi knife.

On Mar 3, 8:54*am, "Tomsic" wrote:
"Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message

...

"Doug" wrote:

Some time ago I had to score the replacement light panels (maybe a
plastic type material) for my kitchen lighting because the standard
size did not fit. * Here is a similar picture of the kitchen light
panels in my kitchen...

SNIP!!











or if this URL is too long...

http://tinyurl.com/7c2j28g

It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. *I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. *Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???

I go with several light scores with a fresh blade [for every panel] in
a razor knife. * Then snap and sand.

I clamp my straightedge to the piece-- and make sure there is a a
sharp edge under the cut- [I like a piece of planed 5/4 pine that I
usually have handy.

Jim

Jim's technique is what I use too. *Keeping the knife in the same groove for
multiple scores is the tricky part.

I tried both power saws and hand saws for cutting plastic louvers and
smaller plastic panels once. *Not a good idea because the heat at the cut
causes the plastic to melt into a gooey mess. *Maybe there's a special saw
blade or slow-sawing technique that works, but scoring/sanding is simple.

Tomsic

If you use a jig saw with a fine blade and put a piece of masking tape
over the area that you are cutting it will not melt.

On Mar 3, 1:55*am, "Doug" wrote:

snip

It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. *I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. *Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???

Don't know if your panels are acrylic, but for years I have done major
projects with Plexiglas cut on my table saw with a good quality very
sharp blade.*Others have posted in this NG in the past reporting
similar success. This is what major plastic suppliers do in their
shops as well.

Joe

Tomsic wrote:
I tried both power saws and hand saws for cutting plastic louvers and
smaller plastic panels once. Not a good idea because the heat at the
cut causes the plastic to melt into a gooey mess. Maybe there's a
special saw blade or slow-sawing technique that works, but
scoring/sanding is simple.

A router can be used, but if I only had to do a few of them I'd just use a
razor knife.

Jon

On 3/3/2012 1:55 AM, Doug wrote:
Some time ago I had to score the replacement light panels (maybe a
plastic type material) for my kitchen lighting because the standard
size did not fit. Here is a similar picture of the kitchen light
panels in my kitchen...




It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???


Find a buddy with a table saw. I've cut a great many. With a good saw
it is easy to keep the panels square and be able to cut either or both
dimensions. Be sure to make provisions to not allow the lens to get up
under the rip guide. Really old lenses get brittle and tend to shatter
along the edge, but new ones cut like butter.

--


___________________________________

Keep the whole world singing . . .
Dan G
remove the seven

On 3/3/2012 1:55 AM, Doug wrote:
Some time ago I had to score the replacement light panels (maybe a
plastic type material) for my kitchen lighting because the standard
size did not fit. Here is a similar picture of the kitchen light
panels in my kitchen...

http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...Diffuser+Fluor
esc
ent+Decorative+Panel+-+Lighting+Universe&sigr=155emmqla&sigi=14u1n1ous&s igb=12e4itcmn&fr=chr-greentree_ff


or if this URL is too long...

http://tinyurl.com/7c2j28g


It took me almost an hour for each panel and was a royal pain. I
asked Home Depot then if there was a tool for this and they said no,
just score it. Just wondering if there is an easier way for future
knowledge???

My late friend GB was a cabinet maker who built video game cabinets at
one time and had to cut a lot of plastic panels. He used his trusty old
table with a special carbide blade he got fro a plastics supplier.

TDD