Acrylic plexiglass?

[Painfullyslow]

I tried searching but came up empty. Has anyone tried turning sheet acrylic plexiglass? I seem to recall this stuff being pretty brittle but would love to try using a bit of it as a simple segment.

 

[Curly]

I haven't turned sheet but have worked a little with extruded acrylic rod which is made the same way. It is actually softer than you think and can be hard to get a good polish on it. Cast acrylic which is harder to find can be polished to a nice shine. I remember reading that extruded rod can be improved by putting it in water and boiling it for 20 or 30 minutes. You need to put a small towel/cloth under to keep it off the bottom of the pot. You could try it both ways to see if there is any difference. I suspect thin sheet acrylic would work for inlays as is.

 

[PatrickR]

I believe that plexiglass sheeting is cast. If so, it will turn fine. Extruded plex not so much.

 

[Painfullyslow]

Thanks! I guess I will give it a shot.

 

[KMCloonan]

I have used colored plexiglass inserts with no issues

 

[farmer]

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If you bore/drill this use compressed air keeps the chips blown out .
You also will have to polish the drill hole .
I have machined DVD disc or CD discs for inlays too .
But I am using a live cutter on the tool post of a metal lathe .
Good luck