Have to cut through very hard plastic

[titanic3]

How would one go through this? I have to cut a very hard plastic in order to fit it in a build I'm doing. An example of the type of plastic I'm talking about would be like big toy car. It doesn't have to be an exact clean cut, I just have to reduce the size of the block by about 1 inch. I was thinking using an old kitchen knife and heating it up. I do have a razor teeth saw but I tried it this morning and it's nearly impossible to cut through it (maybe I'm not strong enough   ). It's definitely too hard to cut without any heat applied, at least with hand tools.

[Meatwad]

Use a dremel with a cutoff wheel, if thats too small then use a 4 1/2" hand grinder with a metal cutting wheel on it.

[titanic3]

Ok, thanks for the quick reply. Is there any other option that doesn't involve using power tools? I don't own one and would have to ask a neighbor for one so Id rather not have to do that. If its the only option, then I guess I have mo choice.

[homersipes]

hack saw blade?? I have had to cut a lot of diferent things with just a hacksaw blade or a sawzall blade.  I try not to cut plastic with a power tool as it seems to melt it and make a huge mess, but thats my experience.

[titanic3]

Ah, now that you remind me, i think I do have a hacksaw. Sure is gonna take a lot of work though. It's about 2 inches of solid plastic I have to cut through, with only 3 breaks in the line that I'm cutting through.

[ALFAMEGA51]

Ill come rip it in half for yuh 

[morfiend]

 Not sure of the type of plastic,shape ect. but you can use a wire to cut through plastic by simply heating it with an electric current.

  A couple of aligator clips,some heavy "lead wire" and a thinner cutting wire and a power source is all you need. However the "hacksaw" wwill work and a sawsall with a metal blade will make short work of it. Amother method would involve a trim router but as you said you dont have the tools.

  I worked with acrylics for awhile and we cut it with various things depending on the thickness and what needed to be done,cutting with a heated wire let you make bandsaw type cuts that were as smooth as the product.


 

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Not sure of the type of plastic,shape ect. but you can use a wire to cut through plastic by simply heating it with an electric current.

  A couple of aligator clips,some heavy "lead wire" and a thinner cutting wire and a power source is all you need. However the "hacksaw" wwill work and a sawsall with a metal blade will make short work of it. Amother method would involve a trim router but as you said you dont have the tools.

  I worked with acrylics for awhile and we cut it with various things depending on the thickness and what needed to be done,cutting with a heated wire let you make bandsaw type cuts that were as smooth as the product.


 

If the guy doesn't have power tools he won't have supplies to build a heated wire either

[nrshida]

A 24 tpi 12" hacksaw blade also works quite well on most plastics if you remove it from the frame, turn it round so the teeth cut on the in-stroke and wrap some tape around the first four inches for a handle. This is especially useful if you have to hold the item yourself.

Generally try to avoid inhaling the dust.

[helbent]

No tools? That sucks.

Is go with sawsall or circular with diamond blade.

[rpm]

If you have a soldering iron, you can get an X-acto hot knife attachment. Cuts are perfect.

[RTHolmes]

hacksaw, low tooth count

[titanic3]

Thanks for the reply folks, I plan on doing it later today, will let you know how it goes. 

[VonMessa]

Power tools will only make the plastic melt, clog the blade and possibly "work harden" the material and potentially release vapors into the air that you are probably better off not inhaling.  A fine-toothed saw blade will also do the same thing.  You need to provide for chip clearance as the material is removed.

Use a hand saw, coarse toothed and a little soap if you need lubrication.  Take your time and it will come out just fine.

[nrshida]

(maybe I'm not strong enough  ).

Remember to let the tool do its work.