Question about Lexan plastic

[kswillie]

The bottom of the silver ware holder on the dishwasher has gone south. I have a sheet of Lexan that I could cut to fit, drill some holes and use some tie wraps. Any reason not to use Lexan? Does it cut like most plastic?

 

[cophil]

I've used a table saw to cut lexan. I can't remember if you need to grind a drill bit, like you do for plexy glass. you may try a twist bit in some scrap.

 

[IH2444]

Table saw or band saw, twist drill if run really slow. Never a sabre saw or jig saw. The plastic gets hot and sticks to the blade.

 

[IA Roy]

I have found the best way to put a hole in plastic is to heat up a metal rod (nail or larger) with a torch and ease it thru. Drilling can split the sheet. They make a plastic cutting circular saw blade that looks similar to a plywood blade but the tooth profile is opposite.
Without looking it up, lexan would probably hold up to the heat, but you might want to check first..

 

[Steve@Advance]

Lexan is some wonderful stuff! Once you use it you'll never want to use plexiglass again!

It is practically indestructible. You can drill it, saw it, even bend it without breaking it. BTW, Lexan is a brand name for poly carbonate, the same stuff bullet proof glass is made of. One thing I've found it doesn't like is having a bolt tightened down against it. Over time it will spider crack around the bolt. Best to back off the torque a little, use locktite, nylock nut, etc.

 

[ss55]

Lexan / poly carbonate cuts and taps pretty easily. It can also be chemically welded. Lexan is a GE trademark. The GE website or any other material supplier's website should have information on how to machine their products.

Most appliance stores install new machines and haul away old machines for recycling/scrap. If you know what size you need, you might find several decent silverware holders at an appliance recycling drop-off point.

 

[JF in MI]

Yes, you need to remove the rake angle on the bit. Grind it 0 deg. Works great with no splitting.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I recently had to replace the plastic on the vents on my camper.
I used lexan.
Cut it to size with a skill saw and used metal stud screws to attach it to the aluminum.
Stud screws (the one on the left in the photo)are pointed/self tapping.
The Lexan cut good and did not crack or shatter when I screwed in on.
It was easy to work with.
It's tough too. You can fold it in half and it will not break.

 

[Hendrik]

Yes, there is no reason not to use Lexan.
Since Lexan (and most other plastics for that matter) is a poor heat conductor, cutting (drilling, sawing) should be done slowly to avoid heat build up and locally melting the material. Local melting causes unwanted deformation and sticking to the cutting tool, which you do not not want.

Good luck in getting this off the SWMBO's honey-do list LOL

 

[JRSutton]

funny I had the same problem. I wasn't so fancy, I just hacked up a plastic milk jug for my fix.

it works.

Pretty insane what they want for a new basket!

I couldn't find one for less than 50 bucks. Some were around $80!

You'd think somebody would make a few styles of universal ones for a couple dollars. If somebody does, I couldn't find one.