Cutting new light diffuser question

[EazyBone]

Awesome. I have several that need trimming to better sizes.

Once I get the stuff over the next few weeks I may ask again. Appreciate it.

I tried the knife thing.. doesn't work well for me. Snaps in wrong places etc I think this is gonna be perfect.

[Storyteller12]

I used a long level I had as a guide with 2 clamps for the router to keep it straight and then just hung the plexiglass off the table.
I used a bit with a roller (flush trim bit) and used the table as a guide also for the bit itself.

also make sure to protect the diffuser as it scratches very easily from sliding moving it when flat.

I used blue painted tape where the router went to project it and some towels

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions

[EazyBone]

These are the scrap pieces I tested on first. But you can see the nice edge the router left

To bring this back up, since I need to do this. How did you get the edge straight? What did you use. And what bit what used do you know?

[Repairtechlcd]

Excellent.

[EazyBone]

Yea that's good! Great

[Storyteller12]

These are the scrap pieces I tested on first. But you can see the nice edge the router left

[EazyBone]

Awesome

[Storyteller12]

I forgot to take a pick at the time. I can get one of the piece I cut off Monday
it's the exact same looking as factory edge though.

[EazyBone]

Have a picture of the edge that the router created or the edge of the other way?

[Storyteller12]

Update:
i tried to score and cut like Daido mentioned and it does give a clean cut edge. However I couldn't get it to snap in 1 piece. Maybe with a better setup and even pressure.

Router worked great though and gave me a clean cut edge as well. It's a lot of mess though compared to Daido way.

[Storyteller12]

No, not in Tampa. I'm in Northern Virginia. 30min form DC

[EazyBone]

I figured the best way is similar to that cutter they use at Lowe's for plexiglass. Using the razor blade and snap I'll have to try.

Are you in Tampa storyteller?

[dadio]

A clean score with a sharp stanley knife works for me. I just snap it off at the table edge. Works every time.
The score has to be constant.

[Diah]

however i think it will break , i wish you the best luck.
we can consider too if we don't have same size diffuser, , we can use the Tablet LCD principle, they use normal transparent plastic fiberglass plate have width same to LED size , they arranged it as following
White carton paper ---- the plate ---- 2 light filter ( horizontal & vertical ) -- LCD ---- touch folie
we use only White carton paper ---- the plate--- LCD --- then the reset of filters. . also need to paint the 3 edge of the plate with white...i never do it. just because i have allot of diffuser collect them over years.

by the way this method now days used at sign plate in supper market cashier table... etc.

[Storyteller12]

Eazybone: I know the razor blade was last choice as it will take several (maybe hundreds) of cuts but I know it will work. I'll update everyone one the router attempt when I do it.

The melted ones you can sand a little bit but everyone is different and will get different results. It's never the same for each one unfortunately.

[Storyteller12]

Here is the router I referred to.

[Repairtechlcd]

I believe that they employ a cnc router to cut light guide plates to the dimensions that are wanted,Also sometimes they use laser cutters .Anyways it would be very interesting
to know what kind of results you get.I have heard of people who had cut away melted edge of lights guides and getting good results but never done it myself.A router should get a
very smooth edge so you could get excellent results.

[bohaboha]

I have 2 ways to try. First being a router and second being a razor knife. Hoping the router works as it will be the cleanest. I'm going to test the router first on the cracked 40” one

Do you have any experience or suggestions? I'm open to try something else

could you please explain what is a router? i think this cutter is more suitable on a hard ground :https://www.temu.com/kuiper/dn9.html...oaAuQ-EALw_wcB if it is not that what you mean whit a router

[EazyBone]

I don't. I have a couple diffusers and just trying to see if there was a tried and true way. Router seems like a good idea. Razor seems like a terriblly long tedious process. I cut some junk ones of these with razor and feel like itd take like 1000 cuts

Let me know if you find a way. I also have a 65 that isn't cracked but it's melted a little, and it warps the light paths. You have a way to save them? Sanding edges or something

[Storyteller12]

I have 2 ways to try. First being a router and second being a razor knife. Hoping the router works as it will be the cleanest. I'm going to test the router first on the cracked 40” one

Do you have any experience or suggestions? I'm open to try something else