What is the advantage of a nichrome plexiglas cutter?

Organic glass has become popular for quite some time. It is widely used both in industry and at home for the manufacture of all kinds of useful and interesting things. For example, from plexiglass, you can assemble the original case for the PC system unit, cut out volume letters, images, etc. Since the light in Plexiglas does not refract, but spreads evenly, the material is well suited for the manufacture of running lights, flashing lights and other dynamic lights installations.

The benefits of plexiglass as a material

They are as follows:

• Glass transmits light well;
• Withstands high mechanical loads;
• There is no hygroscopicity;
• When burning does not emit hazardous substances;
• It is not difficult to work with plexiglass, even easier than with wood;
• Plexiglas is not afraid of frost;
• The material is an excellent electrical insulator.

However, organic glass has one serious drawback - it is very easily scratched, so it requires a careful attitude.

Processing plexiglass using a nichrome cutter, the advantages of the method

When working with plexiglass, craftsmen often use ordinary tools - jigsaws, drills, hacksaws, files, etc. That is, items that are not entirely suitable for working with this material.

However, there is another, more practical and simple way to work with this wonderful material - cutting with hot wire from nichrome. Nichrome cutting has many advantages:

1. It is possible to cut parts with the highest precision.
2. There is no trash left after work.
3. Cutting with a hot spiral gives full control over the process and allows you to cut out shapes of any complexity.
4. The finished part practically does not need additional processing. Even if melted pieces remain at the edges, they are very easy to remove with a sharp knife or small file.
5. With a hot nichrome wire, you can cut not only plexiglass, but also almost any plastic, as well as polystyrene.
6. Work does not require virtually any physical effort from the master.

It’s easy to make a nichrome cutter yourself, everyone can handle it. All you need is a power source, some parts and a nichrome spiral, which can be bought on any market or in a specialized store. It is very desirable that the power supply has voltage regulation, otherwise you will have to select the desired degree of glow by shortening / lengthening the spiral.

It is most convenient and easiest to clamp the spiral and contacts in a conventional jigsaw to work with plywood through insulating gaskets. Thus, the issue with the manufacture of the handle of the torch is solved.