How to Cut Acrylic Tubing

Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle

Last Updated: September 28, 2021 References

Acrylic tubing is a durable, malleable product that’s often used in surgical equipment, building construction, and PC water cooling kits. If you’re working with acrylic tubing, then chances are you’ll have to cut it a few times to fit into position. Naturally, you won’t want to break or ruin the tube, so you probably have some questions on how to do this correctly. Luckily, this is an easier job than you might think! We’re here to answer all your questions so you can tackle this job without any problems.

Question 1 of 8:

Can I use a handsaw to cut acrylic tubing?

Yes, any saw will work on acrylic as long as it’s fine-toothed. There are many types of handsaws or hacksaws available, and they are all approved tools for cutting through acrylic tubing.^{[1]
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Research source} A fine-toothed saw is best because it is less likely to tear at the plastic while you’re cutting and gives you a cleaner cut.^{[2]
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- To cut the tubing with a handsaw, mark the spot where you want to cut the tube. Hold it down against a table or workbench, then begin sawing with light pressure on that spot. Continue until you cut through the whole tube.
- Don’t apply a lot of pressure while you’re cutting or you could break the tube. Just rock the saw back and forth and let it work through the tube.

Question 2 of 8:

Will a tube cutter work on acrylic tubing?

Yes, this is also a recommended way to cut acrylic. A pipe or tube cutter is a common tool to cut PVC pipe. It will also work on acrylic tubing, as long as it fits around the entire tube.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Interview. 24 September 2021.}
- To use a tube cutter, lightly clip the cutter around the tube at the spot you want to cut in. Rotate the cutter to score the surface of the tube. Tighten the cutter slightly, then rotate again. Continue rotating and tightening until you cut through the whole tube.^{[4]
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- There are acrylic tube cutting kits that usually include a tube cutter as the main tool. Many acrylic manufacturers also sell these tools separately.
- A tube cutter might not fit larger acrylic tubes unless it's designed for big pipes. If yours doesn't fit the tube, get a bigger type or use a handsaw instead.

Question 3 of 8:

Can I clip the tube with a pipe cutter?

Yes, as long as you’re careful not to crush the tube. A pipe cutter is a hand tool that looks like a pair of garden shears, and it’s normally used to clip piping or tubing. This tool will also work for acrylic tubing, but be careful and work slowly. If you clip the tubing too quickly, you’ll crush it and it won’t fit into your fixtures.^{[5]
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- For the right cutting method, rest the tubing in the cutter at the spot you want to cut. Close the cutter gently and rotate the tube to score it. Then close the cutter slowly until you cut through the whole tube.
- It’s easier to crush thinner acrylic tubing if you cut it incorrectly. Work slowly to get the cleanest cut possible.

Question 4 of 8:

What's the fastest way to cut through acrylic tubing?

Power tools like a table saw, circular saw, bandsaw, or dremel will get the job done quickly. Make sure you use a fine-toothed blade so you don't tear or damage the tubing and move slowly to get the cleanest cut possible.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist
Expert Interview. 24 September 2021.}
- Always wear gloves when you’re working with power tools and keep your fingers far away from the blade.^{[7]
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Question 5 of 8:

What’s the best tool for cutting a large or thick acrylic tubing?

A handsaw, power saw, tube cutter, or pipe cutter will work just fine. Any of these choices will work, regardless of the acrylic tubing’s diameter. However, tools like pipe or tube cutters may not fit larger tubes unless they’re designed to handle bigger pipes. If your cutters don’t fit around the tube, then use a saw instead.^{[8]
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Question 6 of 8:

What is extruded acrylic?

Extruded acrylic is just another name for pulled or shaped acrylic. It’s a common way to produce acrylic tubing. You can cut it using a fine-toothed saw or tube cutters.^{[9]
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- The other main type of acrylic is cast. This is a bit stronger than extruded acrylic, and it’s more common in sheets rather than tubing. However, if your tubing is cast instead of extruded, you can still cut it the same way that you cut extruded acrylic.

Question 7 of 8:

Is acrylic the same as PETG tubing?

No, these are two different materials. PETG, or Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol, is a harder plastic than acrylic. However, they behave very similarly and you can cut them the same way using the same tools. If you're using PETG tubing, then these steps will work for that too.^{[10]
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- In general PETG is stronger and will resist damage better than acrylic. It's normally used in equipment that requires durability. However, acrylic is softer and easier to bend, so if you’re also going to bend the tubing, then acrylic is better.

Question 8 of 8:

Do I need any safety equipment to cut acrylic tubing?

No, you won’t need any special safety equipment for cutting acrylic. It doesn’t produce dust or debris that you could breathe in, and the plastic isn’t irritating if you touch it. You can work on it without gloves, goggles, or a mask.^{[11]
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- The one exception is if you’re using power tools. Always wear gloves in this case.

Community Q&A

Question

How do you cut acrylic tubing without cracking it?

Ryaan Tuttle
Home Improvement Specialist
Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman Boston. With over 15 years of experience, Ryaan specializes in home improvement and property maintenance by leveraging technology and craftsmanship. Ryaan holds his Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses. Unlike most handyman contractors, Best Handyman Boston is licensed and insured. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston.

Ryaan Tuttle

Home Improvement Specialist

Expert Answer

Use a 4 inch angle grinder with a masonry blade to cut your acrylic tubing.