What Dremel bit to cut plastic

Last updated on November 10th, 2022 at 07:00 pm

Can you use a Dremel to cut plastic?

Yes, you can. Turn your Dremel rotary tool into a simple-to-use rotary saw. The model has a high-speed cutter that gives you the power to easily cut wood, plastic, fiberglass, drywall, laminate, and aluminum and vinyl siding. That is why it is called a multi-cutter. 

Dremels are fine on plastic since you need low speed. Allow the bit to do the work. If you force it or go for high speed, you will not have smooth cuts.

What Dremel bit to cut plastic

Use a 561 Multipurpose Cutting Bit.

How do you cut hard plastic smoothly?

1. For each type of saw, pick a blade with a high tooth count, which will give you a smoother cut.
2. Avoid using saws or blades with large teeth because they chip or break the plastic and create rough edges.

Can you use a Dremel to cut acrylic?

Using a Dremel is one of the best options when cutting acrylic.

How do you cut plastic with a multi-tool?

1. Make a deep groove. 
2. Cut it on one side and do not cut it all the way.
3. Make a deep cut.

Can you cut plastic with an oscillating tool?

Yes, wood-cutting oscillating tool blades will work fine for cutting most plastics.

What is the best tool to cut hard plastic?

Use a fine-toothed saw for precision plastic cutting. 

What is the best way to cut thin plastic?

The best tool for cutting thin plastic is a utility knife.

What is a hot knife tool?

The Hot Knife is an electric tool with a heated blade that cuts and shapes other materials.

Can you use a Dremel to sand plastic?

Yes, sanding using a Dremel is an effective way of ironing out imperfections in 3D prints. 

How do you file smooth plastic?

1. Place the coarse file at the end closest to your holding hand and press the rough side down onto the edge of the plastic. 
2. Pull the file over and downward, away from where your hand is positioned, moving inward toward your body. 
3. Continue to file, until you create a smooth surface.

How do you cut plastic with a rotary tool?

1. Choose the right cutting wheel. Get a cutting wheel designed for cutting plastic, like the EZ476. You can also use a multipurpose cutting wheel, which is better if it is a thin one, such as the EZ409. You will get a rougher cut with one of these.
2. Prepare yourself and the project for cutting by observing all the safety measures needed. Wear ear and eyes protection, and a pair of gloves. Do not forget to wear a face mask to avoid breathing plastic dust and toxic fumes that could build up. If you are cutting a weird object, make sure it is not moving around.
3. Keep your hands away from the cutting wheel all the time. If you are going to cut a slot,  mark the area you want to cut to avoid going off the road. When cutting plastic, things get messy real quick. Make sure to use a working area that you can clean easily afterward.
4. Mark the cutting spot if needed, get yourself a right angle attachment if you cannot reach the object you want to cut.
5. Use low speed from 10.000 to 15.000 RPM and low pressure to avoid burning the plastic. Do multiple passes. 
6. Sand the edges for a smoother finish.
7. Choose the right attachment for the job for the best results. By using the right cutting wheel, you have already done half of the job needed to get a clean finish. There are two choices here: use a cutting wheel made for plastic, or a multi-purpose cutting wheel. 
8. For clean cuts, get yourself an EZ476, 1 1/2-Inch, Cut-Off Wheel For Plastic. This reinforced wheel works better on different types of plastic, from ABS to PVC. It can cut up to 14mm deep. The suggested speed is between 10.000 to 15.000 RPM, as low as you can get to avoid burning the material you are working onto.
9. If you have a general-purpose cutting wheel, it should work just fine on plastic too. Do not use metal cutting wheels. They are very abrasive,  and the chances are very high they will end up burning the plastic, developing toxic fumes. That has to be avoided.
10. If you want to get a wheel that is also pretty good for random jobs around the house, get the EZ409, 1-1/2-Inch Wheel Diameter, EZ Lock Thin Cut. You can use it with different materials than plastic, such as metal. When using a general-purpose cutting wheel, the results will not be as good-looking. Evaluate the project based on the application at hand.
11. When cutting plastic, use the right speed, even more than other materials such as wood and metal. If you use an RPM too high, the plastic will start to overheat, resulting in an ugly cut. Try to go as slow as possible to get a cleaner cut. However, if you go too slow, the Dremel will start to jump back at you while approaching the surface. Find the right compromise here, depending on the material at hand and the cutting attachment you are using.
12. Apply the right amount of pressure. Since you will be using low speed, the applied pressure will also be very little. With plastic, apply as little pressure as possible, and let the tool do the job for you. Since you will not press too much on the plastic, you need multiple passes to cut through the material. Start with a shallow cut that you will use as a guideline, then go deeper with the next passes.
13. Frequently clean the cutting area to keep things under control.
14. After cutting, do some final touches. Use a grinding attachment to clean the edges and obtain a better-looking finish. You could use a Dremel 411 Sanding Disc, when using something finer, get a Dremel 413 Fine Sanding Disc. If you do not want to buy one, use some sandpaper and do it by hand.