How to Cut Acrylic Pipes

Acrylic tubing is a durable and flexible product, commonly used in surgical equipment, building structures, and computer radiators. If you work with acrylic pipes, you will sometimes have to cut the tubes to fit them in different positions. Of course, you won’t want to break the tube so there are bound to be questions about how to properly cut acrylic tubing. Fortunately, this is easier than you think. We will answer all your questions so that you can get this job done smoothly.

Table of Contents

Can a hand saw be used to cut acrylic pipes?

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Any type of saw will work as long as the teeth are tight enough. There are many types of hand saws or hacksaws on the market, and all can be used to cut acrylic pipes. ^{[1] X Research Source} Close-fitting saws are the best because there is less chance of tearing the tube during sawing and the cut is neater. ^{[2] X Research Source}

To cut a pipe with a hand saw, you will first mark the point to be cut. Place the pipe on the tabletop and start sawing at the marked point. Continue sawing until it cuts through the entire pipe.
Do not put too much pressure on the pipe while sawing to avoid breaking the pipe. You should just pull the saw back and forth and let the saw feed itself into the pipe.

Can pipe cutters be used to cut acrylic pipes?

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This is the recommended way to cut acrylic resin. Pipe cutters are a popular tool for cutting PVC pipes. It also works for acrylic pipes, as long as the pull mouth fits around the tube.

To use pipe scissors, gently grip the tube at the position you want to cut. Rotate scissors to engrave the tube face. Gently tighten the scissors and rotate the scissors again. Continue rotating and tightening the scissors until it cuts through the entire tube. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
Some acrylic pipe cutting kits have the main tool being pipe scissors. Many acrylic resin manufacturers also sell this tool separately.
Pipe scissors may not fit large acrylic tubes unless designed for large tubes. If your scissors don’t fit, buy a larger size or use a hand saw.

Can metal pipe cutters be used to cut acrylic tubes?

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Yes, but you must be careful not to break the pipe. Metal pipe scissors are hand tools that look like garden scissors, often used to cut metal or plastic pipes. This tool also works for acrylic tubes, but must be handled with care and slow. If you cut too quickly, the tube will break and become unusable. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Regarding the cutting method, place the tube in the mouth of the scissors at the point you want to cut. Gently close the scissors and rotate the tube to start cutting. Then, continue closing the scissors slowly until it cuts through the entire tube.
Acrylic tubes are easily crushed if you cut them incorrectly. Work slowly for the neatest cut.

What is the fastest way to cut acrylic pipes?

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Power tools such as table saws, circular saws, circular saws, or Dremel multi-tools can cut acrylic pipes very quickly. Be sure to use a tight-toothed saw blade so as not to tear or damage the tube, and move the saw slowly for the cleanest cut.

Always wear gloves when working with electrical equipment and keep your hands away from the saw blade. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

What tool is best for cutting large or thick acrylic pipes?

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Hand saws, chainsaws, plastic pipe scissors or metal pipe scissors can all be used. These tools work well for acrylic pipes of any diameter. However, plastic pipe cutters or metal pipe shears do not fit large pipes unless designed for that purpose. If your scissors do not fit the large pipe, a saw can be used. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

What is stuffed acrylic resin?

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Stuffed acrylic resin is another name for drawn or shaped acrylic resin. This is the common way to produce acrylic pipes. You can cut acrylic with a fine-toothed saw or pipe shears. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Cast acrylic resin is also a fairly common type. This is slightly stiffer than stuffed acrylic, and is more common in sheets than tubes. However, if the tube is molded instead of stuffed, you can also cut it in the same way as the plastic stuffing.

Are acrylic pipes the same as PETG tubes?

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No, the two are different. PETG is an acronym for Ppyethylene Terephthalate Glycp, which is harder than acrylic resin. However, they are very similar so you can cut them with acrylic pipe cutters. If you are using PETG plastic pipe then you can follow the steps above to cut the tube. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

In general, PETG resin is more durable and difficult to damage than acrylic resin. It is often used in equipment that requires durability. However, acrylic resin is softer and more malleable, so if you want to bend pipes use acrylic resin.

Do I need to wear safety equipment to cut acrylic pipes?

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No, you don’t need any safety equipment to cut acrylic. It does not generate dust or debris that you can inhale, and the acrylic resin is hypoallergenic to the touch. You don’t need to wear gloves, glasses or a mask. ^{[9] X Research Source}

If you use power tools, wear gloves.

Advice

You may see other names like Plexiglass or Perclax. These are just trademarks of acrylic products, so you can use these methods to cut.
If you’re working with acrylic resin, you should cut off a bit of excess. That way, you can correct it if something goes wrong during the cutting process.

Steps