I *HIGHLY* recommend a Dremmel type tool with an actual cutting wheel. Works even better than than the multi-tool with the larger vibrating blade. The less vibration, and less “toothy” your cutting device is, the cleaner your cuts will be. The Dremmel with cutting wheel results in *zero* chipping and cracking in my experience. The only downside is the wheels are small so keeping a straight line can be tricky for long cuts.
Are you kidding me ? This just made my day !! you make it look so easy , I've cracked so many of these stupid things trying to cut them . THANK YOU ....
Buddy, I just tried to score the exact same piece of covering that I bought at Home Depot. I had to score the plastic about 100 times with that 5 dollar knife they sell you. I wish I had watched your video before I started my little project. BTW I have the exact same Dremel multi tool with the exact same blade. I wish I could give you more thumbs up. Thanks brother...
Definitely helpful. I recently tried the table saw then a circular saw. Both shattered the plastic ending up with the worst cuts I’ve ever done… lol never thought to use the oscillating tool. Thx man!!
Thank you for sharing your video that really helped me a lot. I ran into the same problem you did and I cannot find the lens that will fit this old frame. But now I know what to do thank you very much have a great day stay blessed.
This is great! I have some very old light fixtures in my house that require 13" x 4' panels that broke long ago, this is going to be really helpful for cutting down 2'x4' panels to fit! I think I'll make a jig that I can run the multi-tool along, my cuts are not usually as straight as yours!
Thank u Adam for making this video. I've got to cut this exact same thing and have been dreading it. I have a multitool. So far I haven't used it but today thanks 2ur video I will
I was told by a man at Lowes to use a soldering iron. I can see how applying heat might do th trick, and I figured I'd try that as a last resort, but I'm happy to put my Dremel to work first! Thanks!!!
Perfect thanks. I've used table saw a few times. Just don't let the blade come up through the plastic or it will chip very badly. I love your way. Grinders just melt and make a mess, not worth it. Great.
Broke the first one trying to score it and this is definitely the best way I've seen. Especially for electricians like me who dont go in with table saws or really any circular saw at that point. Thanks
Thanks... having to cut a few pieces of cracked ice light panels to replace broken glass in sliding (barn door). I would recommend people to wear safety glasses and hearing protection when using this tool.
I thought I can just use the original multi-tool blade, but now I'm going to use the round one you have. I've cracked the diffuser already, trying to see if it's still salvageable....
My 2 cents, If you have one a bridge wet cut tile saw is the most painless way to deal with this material from hell. 2nd best is grinder however fumes from dry cutting can be overwhelming. (I've found cutting with any sort of hand blade to be a 50/50 and this stuff isn't cheap so all those cracked attempts add up.)
Every tool known to man here, and some how this did not occur to me. Thanks! Drywall destroys my multi saw blades...but they still cut drywall with zero teeth left...if ya didn't know!
What type of blade and what type of machine did you buy to cut those plastic fluorescent light covers. I need one ASAP. please get back with me as soon as possible. Thank you once again for your awesome video!!
It’s called a multi tool or an oscillating tool and I used a semi circular blade. Go slow with the cut, it will almost melt the plastic as it cuts through. Will be pretty stinky. Good luck
THE TWO PIECES OF PLYWOOD METHOD: 1. Get ...a. two 2x4 ft. sheets of plywood (I had these sheets available, hence this method) ...b. a yardstick, ...c. a regular sharpie, and ...d. a heavy duty x-acto knife. ...e. safety gear (goggles and gloves) ...f. superglue 2. Mark your required dimensions on the smooth side of the plastic diffused light cover sheet with the sharpie. 3. Place one sheet of plywood on the floor as the cutting board. 4. Place the plastic diffused light cover sheet on the cutting board, smooth side up. 5. Place the other 2x4 ft. piece of plywood on top of the plastic diffused light cover sheet as the press and as the straight edge. 6. Line up the edge of the top piece of plywood with your dimension markings. 7. Lucky number. Don your safety gear (little diffused pieces can go flying). In as little as three to six light cuts with the x-acto knife, you will have cut a straight edge on your plastic diffused light cover sheet. Don't try to do it in one cut, you will break the sheet and invent new curse words. ENGRISH INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Purchase the plywood of two in 2x4 foot segments 2. Gather sharpie, yardstick, and x-acto knife. Care not to cinder the eyes. 3. Make a plywood/light cover sandwich. Mayonnaise OK. 4. Line up top plywood with sharpie extract. 5. Cut panel in desired dimensions. Beware flying objects to eye. Do not slice the thumb off. If so, find thumb, place to superglue, affix to vacated location, fingernail up. Hide from wife.
could have used this vid about 2 hours ago. I used scissors. one of the sides breaks up the other is smooth. Worked better crosswise than lengthwise i think it had something to do with the plastic. maybe tape the side you need and then cut.
That I don’t know. Seems risky. You can try it on a small area of the sheet you are going to cut to test it out first. I’m guessing it would depend on the kind of cut off wheel you use
For me, getting the lens out of the fixture is the hard part. I'd like to see a video for the type of fluorescent light that's built into the ceiling and the lens swings down. I don't see how to get the lens out without breaking it.
I've cut 1/8'' thin strips of acrylic as well as plastic laminate about 1/4'' wide using my table saw. I had zero chipping and no breakage. But you have to use a feather board, clamped down tightly over the work piece. A feather board reduces chattering and violent vibrations while the workpiece is being cut. it's the chattering and vibration of the unsupported workpiece trapped between the saw blade and the fence, making the unsupported workpiece prone to chipping and braking. you have to support it with a feather board. I usually build my own feather boards.
I used the same tool but then found its also too wide. I really have just 1 question. What evil company makes these darm sheets just a wee bit too large? Why? I'm very frustrated..
Yeah if you turn all the teeth into rakers, then you are basically just scoring and melting. Great idea. Those little rips the poster is taking off would be very frustrating to score, clamp and break. I have had mixed results with my jig saw, running extreme tpi metal blades. If I am patient enough, I can shape radius and circles. But you catch a tooth once and it's a write off.
@@AmB39 They do sell a "plastic cutting knife". It was advertised on my lenses stickers. I assume it is just a hooked, draw style razor for scoring and breaking.
These panels are miserable to cut and an expensive learning curve. I tried a plastic cutting knife, acrylic cutting knife, and finally used my small Dremel to score and slowly cut the edge. Of course, by the time I got to the Dremel, the acrylic had cracked. Someone needs to invent a better product for these ugly fluorescent lights.
I *HIGHLY* recommend a Dremmel type tool with an actual cutting wheel. Works even better than than the multi-tool with the larger vibrating blade. The less vibration, and less “toothy” your cutting device is, the cleaner your cuts will be. The Dremmel with cutting wheel results in *zero* chipping and cracking in my experience. The only downside is the wheels are small so keeping a straight line can be tricky for long cuts.
Are you kidding me ? This just made my day !! you make it look so easy , I've cracked so many of these stupid things trying to cut them . THANK YOU ....
Haha happy I could help. I felt the exact same way as you. So frustrating
Thank you! I’ve already broken two of these panels and didn’t want to break another one… this is very helpful!
You seriously rock.
Nicely done. The switch to slow mo was the best…
Hero status! I broke a (likely) 40 year old panel when learning how to change fluorescent lights & now I know how to replace it. Greatly appreciated!
Nice. Glad it helped
Buddy, I just tried to score the exact same piece of covering that I bought at Home Depot. I had to score the plastic about 100 times with that 5 dollar knife they sell you.
I wish I had watched your video before I started my little project.
BTW I have the exact same Dremel multi tool with the exact same blade.
I wish I could give you more thumbs up.
Thanks brother...
Lol awful
Thank you for taking the time out of day to show people this trick!
You are not the only person. I really appreciate helpful video like this. Thanks for you effort.
Definitely helpful. I recently tried the table saw then a circular saw. Both shattered the plastic ending up with the worst cuts I’ve ever done… lol never thought to use the oscillating tool. Thx man!!
Or the blade melts the plastic and you have a cotton candy like substance all over. This stuff is a pain in the ass!
Thanks for the video. This was exactly what I was looking for.
Thank you for sharing your video that really helped me a lot. I ran into the same problem you did and I cannot find the lens that will fit this old frame. But now I know what to do thank you very much have a great day stay blessed.
You weren't the only one brother! Thanks!
This is great! I have some very old light fixtures in my house that require 13" x 4' panels that broke long ago, this is going to be really helpful for cutting down 2'x4' panels to fit! I think I'll make a jig that I can run the multi-tool along, my cuts are not usually as straight as yours!
Ya it’s tedious doing it free hand. Hope it works out for you
Thank you for that video!! I needed that.
Thanks for the tip, looks like it works great
Great video and share. This will help a lot. I already went through and damaged two sheets.
Your video was super helpful, thank you for sharing your tips !
I’m glad it helped
Thank you. This worked so much better than razor blades. Almost like butter.
Thank you! Had the same trouble, and then I watched your video. Easy!
Happy to help
Awesome! That's what I was gonna try using. Thanks.
TYSM Just made my life easier!!!
Thank u Adam for making this video. I've got to cut this exact same thing and have been dreading it. I have a multitool. So far I haven't used it but today thanks 2ur video I will
I’m always happy to hear this video has helped. I hope it goes well
I was told by a man at Lowes to use a soldering iron. I can see how applying heat might do th trick, and I figured I'd try that as a last resort, but I'm happy to put my Dremel to work first! Thanks!!!
Great solution. Thanks!
Perfect thanks. I've used table saw a few times. Just don't let the blade come up through the plastic or it will chip very badly. I love your way. Grinders just melt and make a mess, not worth it. Great.
The oscillating tool was a great idea, it worked perfectly.
Thank you so much for posting this.
thank you so much for posting!
Thank you for this. These plastic sheets are expensive. $16 at home depot so a safe way to cut them is a must.
Awesome, most helpful.
Broke the first one trying to score it and this is definitely the best way I've seen. Especially for electricians like me who dont go in with table saws or really any circular saw at that point. Thanks
Glad it worked
Thanks, exactly what I needed!
Glad it helped
My question had been answered. Thank you.
Thanks man! 👍 I gotta find my t square
You are so right. These panels splinter at the slightest touch
You are a god-send.
Thank you Sr, very helpful tip.
You helped me thank's
Thanks... having to cut a few pieces of cracked ice light panels to replace broken glass in sliding (barn door). I would recommend people to wear safety glasses and hearing protection when using this tool.
I thought I can just use the original multi-tool blade, but now I'm going to use the round one you have. I've cracked the diffuser already, trying to see if it's still salvageable....
It was helpful, needed to replace the one in our kitchen
Glad it helped
Thank you!!!!
OMG! Thant you so much! I was getting so flipping frustrated!!!
Your a god sent my guy
My 2 cents,
If you have one a bridge wet cut tile saw is the most painless way to deal with this material from hell. 2nd best is grinder however fumes from dry cutting can be overwhelming.
(I've found cutting with any sort of hand blade to be a 50/50 and this stuff isn't cheap so all those cracked attempts add up.)
God bless you sir...
Thank you!
Nice! Thank u
Lita Thomas you’re welcome
Hi! Which type of blade are you using?
Awesome can't wait till I go to work in the morning lol
On a Saturday eh?
@@AmB39 yep my Friday
Really helpful thanks. Underneath those ceiling light covers is it the standard fluorescent light tubes or are they the led panels?
Tubes
where can I get the plastic to make these with
awesome, thanks for sharing
Every tool known to man here, and some how this did not occur to me. Thanks!
Drywall destroys my multi saw blades...but they still cut drywall with zero teeth left...if ya didn't know!
Haha good to know
Tysm! I ruined a 15 dollar sheet trying to trim the material with industrial shears!
Grinder with what kind of blade?
Used a multi tool and mine still broke and cracked. So frustrating
Can home depot cut it for me.?
What type of blade and what type of machine did you buy to cut those plastic fluorescent light covers. I need one ASAP. please get back with me as soon as possible. Thank you once again for your awesome video!!
It’s called a multi tool or an oscillating tool and I used a semi circular blade. Go slow with the cut, it will almost melt the plastic as it cuts through. Will be pretty stinky. Good luck
@@AmB39 . Hey thanks a lot I appreciate the advice and your help and your video..
THE TWO PIECES OF PLYWOOD METHOD:
1. Get
...a. two 2x4 ft. sheets of plywood (I had these sheets available, hence this method)
...b. a yardstick,
...c. a regular sharpie, and
...d. a heavy duty x-acto knife.
...e. safety gear (goggles and gloves)
...f. superglue
2. Mark your required dimensions on the smooth side of the plastic diffused light cover sheet with the sharpie.
3. Place one sheet of plywood on the floor as the cutting board.
4. Place the plastic diffused light cover sheet on the cutting board, smooth side up.
5. Place the other 2x4 ft. piece of plywood on top of the plastic diffused light cover sheet as the press and as the straight edge.
6. Line up the edge of the top piece of plywood with your dimension markings.
7. Lucky number. Don your safety gear (little diffused pieces can go flying). In as little as three to six light cuts with the x-acto knife, you will have cut a straight edge on your plastic diffused light cover sheet. Don't try to do it in one cut, you will break the sheet and invent new curse words.
ENGRISH INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Purchase the plywood of two in 2x4 foot segments
2. Gather sharpie, yardstick, and x-acto knife. Care not to cinder the eyes.
3. Make a plywood/light cover sandwich. Mayonnaise OK.
4. Line up top plywood with sharpie extract.
5. Cut panel in desired dimensions. Beware flying objects to eye. Do not slice the thumb off. If so, find thumb, place to superglue, affix to vacated location, fingernail up. Hide from wife.
could have used this vid about 2 hours ago. I used scissors. one of the sides breaks up the other is smooth. Worked better crosswise than lengthwise i think it had something to do with the plastic. maybe tape the side you need and then cut.
Thank you sir
Happy to help
Do you put the bubbly/textured part of the cover facing up or down when cutting
I think I had the textured part facing down
@@AmB39 awesome thanks so much
Does this work for high speed electric cut off tool?? I have a small one in my garage
That I don’t know. Seems risky. You can try it on a small area of the sheet you are going to cut to test it out first. I’m guessing it would depend on the kind of cut off wheel you use
@@AmB39 thanks bro
wish i would have seen this video 4hrs ago. i was just struggling with this.
Hi Adam am doing drop ceiling I have a question about how place the ceiling tile for the support beam…
Hi I’m not sure how to answer your question. I’m still relatively new to all of this myself
@@AmB39 czcams.com/users/shortsvKOuVNcRl7M?feature=share
I am wondering how to cover the column with the tile…
Thanks for the quick reply
For me, getting the lens out of the fixture is the hard part. I'd like to see a video for the type of fluorescent light that's built into the ceiling and the lens swings down. I don't see how to get the lens out without breaking it.
What kind of saw is this please ? Do I also need a particular blade or does this saw come with the blade needed ?
Look up “oscillating tool”. This is what you’ll need. Shouldn’t matter what kind of blade
@@AmB39 great. Thank you sir
@@gabrielm.vargas1115 actually a rounded or half moon blade would be best. Good luck
@@AmB39 okay Thanks again sir
Thanks
Bob Scruggs you’re welcome
An old plywood blade put on a circular saw backward works like a knife through butter
What model dremel multi tool is this ? I want to buy one.
Multi purpose oscillating tool
Any model number ?
Edwin Danilo nope
how do you know the size that it should be cut to?
I measured the inside of the light housing
Or if you have an old one of the same size (say from another fixture) lay it on top as a template or pattern.
Why they are so crappy quality that easy brake????????
It’s poly styrene plastic glass, yeah?
I think so
👀
I've cut 1/8'' thin strips of acrylic as well as plastic laminate about 1/4'' wide using my table saw. I had zero chipping and no breakage. But you have to use a feather board, clamped down tightly over the work piece. A feather board reduces chattering and violent vibrations while the workpiece is being cut. it's the chattering and vibration of the unsupported workpiece trapped between the saw blade and the fence, making the unsupported
workpiece prone to chipping and braking. you have to support it with a feather board. I usually build my own feather boards.
I used the same tool but then found its also too wide. I really have just 1 question. What evil company makes these darm sheets just a wee bit too large? Why? I'm very frustrated..
Lol agreed
Nightmare to work with. Especially if you have a lot to cut
Damn, I couldn't make it to the point where he actually said what did work.
Talk about beating around the bush
Just turn your blade around on your table saw, adjust you hight on the blade not much higher than the sheet. That's all you do cut slow.
Good to know thank you
Yeah if you turn all the teeth into rakers, then you are basically just scoring and melting. Great idea.
Those little rips the poster is taking off would be very frustrating to score, clamp and break.
I have had mixed results with my jig saw, running extreme tpi metal blades. If I am patient enough, I can shape radius and circles. But you catch a tooth once and it's a write off.
I’m surprised the manufacturers haven’t developed and started selling a cutting tool yet. Seems like there’s a market for someone to tap into here.
@@AmB39 They do sell a "plastic cutting knife". It was advertised on my lenses stickers. I assume it is just a hooked, draw style razor for scoring and breaking.
I’ll try to search for that now. Thanks
These panels are miserable to cut and an expensive learning curve. I tried a plastic cutting knife, acrylic cutting knife, and finally used my small Dremel to score and slowly cut the edge. Of course, by the time I got to the Dremel, the acrylic had cracked. Someone needs to invent a better product for these ugly fluorescent lights.
Scored 300 times with exacto (poorly), cracked the screen.
Lol
Exemplary
Man do these things SUCK. These shits break so easy. Are there alternatives that aren't made of total ass material?
Holy Fuck was that music to loud.
These light covers are the worst design ever.
cut to the friggin point already
02:50 into it before he does sh*t... ZZZzzzzz... 😴
Thank you!!!
Thanks
Glad it helped