Acrylic Scales

[drs]

Question from a true amatuer.
I have a set of acrylic scales cut out of a flat 1/8" sheet
I want to shape the scales by rounding off the edges.
I have all sorts of sandpaper sheets and I also have a dremel
with sanding discs and even a power drill if it would be of use.

What is the best way way to work on these scales to shape them?

 

[mainaman]

fine file or hand sanding , use water or WD-40 to avoid all the fine dust that will come off.
Power tools are not desirable on Acrylic because it melts at pretty low temperatures.

 

[thirdeye]

Hand sanding is the best way to shape Acrylic scales. I usually fold my paper 3-4 times to stiffen it up so I have a firm edge to work with. If your wanting a rounder edge the single layer paper with your finger tips work great.
As mentioned above, power tools will melt it to quickly and/or rip up to much material to fast. Wet sanding does help the dust and it will also give you a great polished edge depending on the grit paper used. I will wet sand to 1500 and it comes out sweet.

 

[charismata]

I use a router on the edges of the scales that I make out of Corian (basically acrylic). I think it is the quickest method and it gives consistent results. Almost exclusively, I use a 45 degree bit for a nice bevelled edge. But round-over bits should give you a nice curved edge.

There is a router/shaper table for dremmels. I've never used it so I can't recommend it one way or the other.