Router Cutting Tips for Acrylic: Getting the Best Results
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Getting Clean, Professional Cuts in Acrylic
The right router tool is the difference between glass-smooth edges and melted, chipped acrylic. Our up spiral plastic collection is engineered to handle the real issues that show up in production.
Why acrylic needs the right tooling
Acrylic behaves differently to wood or metal. It’s prone to melting from heat and chipping from poor edge geometry. That’s why tool selection matters more than most people expect.
What makes a router tool right for acrylic?
1
High helix angle for quick chip clearance
Our up spiral plastic router tools use a high helix angle to evacuate chips fast — critical in acrylic to prevent heat buildup and re-welding.
Chips clear quickly before they can melt and stick back onto the cut
Heat is carried away with the chip stream, reducing edge melting
The cut zone stays clear for better visibility and control
Surface finish quality improves dramatically
2
Super sharp cutting edge
Acrylic demands a razor-sharp edge. Dull tools push and tear, causing chips, stress cracks, and frosted edges.
Less chipping along the cut edge
Reduced risk of stress cracks forming later
Cleaner, clearer edge finish straight off the machine
Our tools are ground to a razor-sharp edge that slices acrylic with minimal pressure — producing glass-smooth results.
3
Polished flute design
Polished flutes reduce friction and prevent chip sticking — resulting in cooler cuts and better clarity.
Reduced friction: chips slide out smoothly instead of sticking
Less heat generation: lower cutting temperatures
Better finish: fewer tool marks on the material
Longer tool life: reduced wear from smooth evacuation
Choosing the right tool from our up spiral plastic collection
Material thickness
Thicker acrylic generally needs longer flute lengths and strong chip evacuation.
Thicker acrylic generally needs longer flute lengths and strong chip evacuation.
Cut type
Edge trimming, pocketing and through-cuts each benefit from different flute lengths and geometry.
Edge trimming, pocketing and through-cuts each benefit from different flute lengths and geometry.
Feed rate
The high helix angle supports faster feeds while maintaining edge quality.
The high helix angle supports faster feeds while maintaining edge quality.
Finish requirements
For best edge clarity, pair sharp tooling with appropriate speeds and consistent feeds.
For best edge clarity, pair sharp tooling with appropriate speeds and consistent feeds.
Tips for best results
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Use moderate spindle speeds (typically 12,000–18,000 RPM for most setups)
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Keep feed rates consistent to avoid heat buildup and rubbing
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Consider climb cutting for the cleanest top edge (test first)
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Remove protective masking only after cutting to prevent scratches
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Use proper dust collection so chips don’t scratch the surface
The Atlas Tools difference
Our up spiral plastic collection represents years of refinement in tool geometry, materials, and manufacturing processes. Each tool is precision-ground and inspected so you get consistent performance for professional acrylic fabrication.
Whether you’re producing signage, displays, protective barriers or custom acrylic parts, the right tool is essential for efficiency and quality. Explore our up spiral plastic collection to match the correct tool to your next job.