I'm 70 years old and had forgotten about this trick for 50 plus years when I worked for a general contractor right out of High School. Not only did you remind me but it brought back memories of working for one of the best mentors anyone could ever have hoped to work for.

Thanks for that, good tip, and special thanks for making it a 4 minute video where you explain everything, some would have made that video last 25 minutes! Clear and concise! Will watch again when we start on our greenhouse :)

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment Dave. Thought I would try and make it short, I know what you mean about some taking a long way round a short route :)

holding the saw blade while the power is connected makes my spine tingle.

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

fair point

Outstanding recommendation! Thank you for taking the time to record this

@TheOptimisticGardener

5 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

So I came to KZread U. this afternoon for a quick course on cutting & drilling Lexan b/c I'd never done that. And I found... (a) use a draw knife & snap, (b) use a utility knife & snap, (c) cut on a table saw, (d) "cut" with a hot soldering iron (really!), (e) cut with a skill saw (w/o reversing the blade), and finally (f) this video about cutting with a skill saw with a reversed blade. Since I'm terrible at scoring (can't cut glass to save my life), wasn't interested in using a soldering iron, and don't have a table saw, that left using my skill saw. I had a steel cutting blade with a high tooth count, put it on backwards, and I got some nice cuts that way. The job was a good'un! 🙂 Thanks to your viewer for the tip and to you for the video.

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Excellent!

Your tutorial is the best with clear information, no music, no-nonsense. I thank you for the tip!

Wow! I didn't know you could reverse the blade and cut plexi. Thank you for pointing that out!

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure Carla :)

my dad told me that trick years ago but when cutting metal like sheets of tin I wouldn’t of thought it would’ve worked for plexiglass but thanks for the tip

Adjust the dept according to the thickness of the material you cut, but nice tip to reverse the blade

Thanks for the video. I am building a greenhouse and need to cut various shapes in my plexiglass. Reversing the blade advice saved me time. 🙏👌

Thanks! This works well for cutting corrugated metal, but I didn’t think about it working with plexiglass, too.

@TheOptimisticGardener

15 күн бұрын

Glad I could help!

thanks a million for saving me the time and frustration in cutting this beautiful hard-ass glass.

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

Thank you! I was debating on using masking tape and setting the depth on the blade and maybe starting in the middle to try and avoid chipping but it's awesome to see this work out, ( this way is simpler) we do the same thing with Hardie board cement siding if you don't have a Hardie board blade handy.

Only yesterday I bought a plate of 6mm transparent acrylic and sweated on how to cut it (credit card obviously informed KZread of the purchase, in Denmark!). Now, I'll get a fuller nights sleep. Huge thanks. No circ-saw in this garage, gonna try Japanese hand pull-saw on this small job (it cuts backwards, crazy but true).

Thanks for this great advise. I could easily cut a Plexiglass sheet without damaging it .. Guy from Belgium

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

You are welcome :)

Thank you Steve! such Diamond timing, I'm looking into making a cold frame. My garden is too small for a greenhouse, but the seedlings will need frost protection, in tneir seed trays before planting out, once I get sowing in the early spring. Yes, I to, have learnt 'how to do' so much, from watching youtube videos .... you name it ... laying a block path, errecting fences, repairing my shed, building a raised bed, (& dismantling a pallet the easy way to!) fixing my car, apart from the girlie stuff of course like crochet / knitting and making face coverings.

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Great stuff Caroline :)

Take the battery out when you change a blade. Same as unplugging a chord.

This was a game changer for me! Used on green house and then my chicken coop! Thnk u!!

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Excellent!

👍👍👍 Very nice cut and good idea!

Thanks Dave, tip worked just as advised.

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Nice one :) Who's Dave?

Great job just getting to the point. Well done!!!

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

No point skylarking on a basic thing like this 😀

Perfect. I’ve actually used this truck before years ago but forgot. Thanks.

@d.k.1394

2 жыл бұрын

Trick

Thanks for sharing this information. I’ve tried several other methods, never had considered reversing the blade.

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you sir. You just saved me from having to buy a 60 tooth circular saw blade.

Love the idea i will surely give it a try. Thank you for sharing this video .

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

and thanks for your comment :)

Good tip also for our makerspace!

Awesome result. Thanks for sharing this method

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

C&B Jones and massive thanks for sharing it in the first place 😀

@cbjones2212

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheOptimisticGardener No worries. I only wish that I'd seen the opportunity before you'd done all that work !

Great vid. You also sold me on the quiet Dewalt cir saw. Gotta get me one of those.

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Definitely a great saw :)

Why I never thought about it. Thank you.

I am going to try your method. Fortunately, I don’t have to cut as much plexiglass as you need. Many years ago a carpenter told me about your method. Very simple in easy. Years before that I know some people cut the plexiglass sandwiched between two pieces of wood to avoid vibrations and chips. Today with the price of lumber it would make much sense to do that. Thanks for sharing your method.

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Good luck!

When you change any blade in any electric or gas saws you should always disconnect the power source so it can't come on and injure/kill you! Next time remember take your battery out!

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Indeed, thanks, but I would suggest you read the other ten or so comments that have said the same thing 😀

@marciolangeani9992

Жыл бұрын

Yes , please! Safety first ,

@daniellemesserschmidt9196

Жыл бұрын

Im not going to waist my time reading all of them to see if someone said it already! I saw the video and just wanted to say what I noticed. I didnt think I had to investigate all the comments

@Raynestorm1968

Жыл бұрын

@@daniellemesserschmidt9196 you definitely wasted your time having to comment period! He's a full grown man, capable of making his own judgements. I suppose you are the type that have to disconnect your battery from your car to do an oil change too? You better! That car could start and run you over while your under it! Lmao

@daniellemesserschmidt9196

Жыл бұрын

Wow you sound smart! I was literally trying to just give a little helpful advice so maybe someone wouldn't get hurt by a saw. sounds like you're just wasting your time being a prick to somebody who was just trying to be helpful! Have a wonderful day and I hope karma treats you just the way it should! If you respond rude again I will not because honestly you're not worth my time it was most likely a waste of my time to type this!

WHAAAAT!!! Thanks for posting! Very cool idea.

The house you are making is so cool. Good job there.

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It has worked great this summer. I need to finished the outside this Autumn, now it has cooled down a bit :)

Thanks! I had forgotten about that method!

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

thanks for the info, clean.

Just in time! I have to cut a "safety shield" for my DIY trim router table. Thanks!

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Excellent, glad to have been of help :)

Great tip. Thanks for posting! PLEASE take your battery out before changing blade and keep that left hand away from saw...fingers don't grow like plants that are 'trimmed' :)

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip! Yes, you are right! I have been picked up a couple of times for that. Thanks for pointing it out :) I shall make sure I do that from now on.

I bought a circular saw blade made for laminate to cut a tub surround, when I was attaching the blade to the saw I noticed the rotation arrow was the opposite direction of standard saw blades and thought it was a mistake. So I put it on the wrong way and chipped off a 1/2" chunk out. Then reversed the blade again and it cut perfectly.

Fantastic informative video sir thank you 👍

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

and thanks for your comment :)

Thanks man nice and easy

Thanks so much for this video. And just ignore all the keyboard warriors having a go at you about safety. I was wondering how I could quickly and easily cut a small piece of Plexiglass for my moon crab terrarium. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful 😀

nice concise video, thanks for sharing

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you friend!

You are awesome thanks for the video and yes please take care of your hands they aré gifted!!!

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I will :)

Amazing thank you thank you!

Good video good man, thanks

thanks, very helpful

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

Well done, thanks

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment :)

Top Tip 😊👍

thanks ... smart guy

I wouldn't worry about disconnecting the battery. Being the cameraman makes him invincible. 😅

Very nice! Thanks

@TheOptimisticGardener

11 ай бұрын

Glad you like it!

Nicely done

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers 😀

Genius!

Use a fine tooth blade, using one with fewer teeth will make a much rougher uglier cut. I found this out until I started cutting. Lol

Thank you so much!!!

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Thanks, worked very well! Yer smart to be wearin' long sleeves. You don't get yer arms blasted by micro particles of lucite! Also, if you didn't mention, good ventilation, lest one breathe in toxic fumes.

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tips!

I have splintered lots of plexiglass and polycarbonate. This is an easy trick to get a smooth cut.

Awesome. Thx. 👍

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Thank you too!

Thank You!

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Good job.

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Genesis Awsomen tip Cool, 🤗😎. Thanks

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

Superb tip! well i hope so anyway as i’m about to give it a try… 😂

how about reducing how much blade you have for cutting and clamping a little more securely so no chatter, and no chipping? I am reminded of the method from some time ago to reverse the blade. Great , short lesson- Tar. Russell- OZ.

@TheOptimisticGardener

8 ай бұрын

Great point!

Good idea for cutting the plastic. For safety, it would be good to remove the battery before touching the blade.

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, you are right! I have been picked up a couple of times for that. Thanks for pointing it out :)

@iCanSeeWhatMostCant

Жыл бұрын

I thought the same thing. did a control+F on "battery" and found your comment.

Only think I would have done differently is remove the battery while blade flipping.... being extra cautious .. thanks .. this of help... I am looking to buy my first battery powered saw too. I lived in NS at onetime in the 70s

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

A fair point :)

Thanks for this - - How thick was the plexiglass you were cutting? Will this work for 1/8" plexiglass?

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Michael, the plexi was 6mm, which is .2362" or 15/64". So much easier in mm's :)

Thanks man!

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Happy to help!

@matthewcharles6991

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheOptimisticGardener I cut 2 pieces without either chipping. Never would have thought of your trick

you are the man think you

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your kind comment 😀

Bob's your uncle!! 👍

Nice video Sir, Kind of confused, you had your googles and hearing protection. But you worked on the saw with the battery in and then at the end what was the deal with that left thumb and hand up there where you are cutting. I will try your method, I have not had to cut any for a long time and now find myself needing to do so.

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Take the idea but not my safety skills 😀

Does it matter how many teeth my blade has? fine tooth vs. framing blade? What blade did you use?that was a really nice cut!👍 I've got to cut 3. -4'×8'×1/4" sheets in half lengthwise, and at $270.00 a sheet, well that's got me pretty nervous.thanks for the vid.

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I will check my saw blade out tomorrow. It is just the blade that it came with though, nothing fancy.

@woodyg768

2 жыл бұрын

Appreciate it,thanks!

Just use a proper blade for plexiglass/acrylic and you should be fine.

I need to cut rv window pattern to replace mine

Nice job mate.. any idea how to cut curved shapes..eg circle. Almost all videos on you tube show only straight line cuts.

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jo! I am afraid I will have to hold my hands up and say I haven't done any circles. I am sure you could gradually cut in a circle with a circle saw, by cutting shallow angles off at a time.

Does it matter what blade you’re using? Does it have to be one that has more teeth than blades used for cutting wood?

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

No, the blade I used was my normal woodcutting blade. Just reverse it and it will work :)

wow

same for Acrylic?? I got the problem w the melting w the jigsaw...

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I can't definitely say yes, but that problem is the same with the plexi, so I would imagine it will work with acrylic.

Would the same work on much thinner plexi/perspex? Nice Nova Scotia accent by the way ;-)

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

So, I am going not act the "expert" here and say that I am not sure. Maybe you can try on a small piece?

@WildernessTamed

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheOptimisticGardener Cheers for that. I appreciate the honesty.

Would this method work when cutting really thin 2 mm thickness clear polystyrene sheeting?

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I am sorry but I'm going to have to answer that I don't know

Nice pun.

Seeing how well it cuts, I'm doing it this way. But please be careful, I wouldn't be putting my hand that close to the blade. Circular saw accidents are common in the emergency dept of hospitals. My sister worked there and said so and I also saw one come through when I was in for a kidney stone. Please be careful sir.

@TheOptimisticGardener

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the advice!

@quatermass8

7 ай бұрын

@@TheOptimisticGardener I'm sorry my friend I just got triggered by the video. The guy in ER lost 1/3 a hand and the another one I knew long ago lost one and a half fingers.

shouldn't you have taken the battery out first?

What happens if you cut without reversing the blade?

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 ай бұрын

You get chips all over.

That is a nice clean cut, but I still don't understand why you turned the blade around. Wouldn't it do the same thing going the other direction? I'm going to have to study this some more.

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

So I tried it the other way and it tends to chip the plexiglass as the teeth are coarser the right way around

@cbjones2212

3 жыл бұрын

Is short, a circular saw blade works a bit like a chain saw in that it's designed to chip away at the bits of wood as it cuts, which it will do to the plexiglass as well. Turning the blade around makes it operate more like a grinding wheel, You could use a grinder to cut plexiglass too, but using the circular saw this way gives you more control in keeping the cut square and straight.

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

@@cbjones2212 Nice one :)

@sandyg3772

3 жыл бұрын

@@cbjones2212 Thank you for the explanation. I can visualize it much better now. It makes sense.

@pegjones7682

3 жыл бұрын

Love your videos and methods ,especially the clear true blue explanations!

Can I use Dimond blade circular saw?

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

I am not sure, but don't see why not

Hey Can we cut the curves by this!?

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

I honestly can't say as I have tried.

👍🙏😃

What kind of blade is being reversed? Wood blade?

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 жыл бұрын

It is just an ordinary wood blade.

But I didn’t understand why reverse the blade?

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

I just know it works.

How come it does not melt with circular saw?

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

I have no idea, but I know it works :)

How many teeth on your blade? Thanks for the idea!!

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

38 sir :)

Someone must have mentioned this already, but whenever you change a blade, take the battery off.

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

Yep

How and why does this work?

@TheOptimisticGardener

3 ай бұрын

I have no idea, but i know it does. I have cut all my greenhouse plexiglass windows like this and it works a treat :)

Makes sense that explains why goku never beat vegeta

What about curves?

@TheOptimisticGardener

8 ай бұрын

it depends on the bend size. I have cut some curves but not many.

My fingers! Zhe goggles do nozhing.

If I were to do it I would use a new circular saw blade with medium number of teeth and cut it like you would cut wood.

@TheOptimisticGardener

2 жыл бұрын

ok thanks

The real question is, why does this trick work? I’d like to know

@TheOptimisticGardener

Жыл бұрын

That's a bit above my pay grade :)

@DJ-vm2zi

Жыл бұрын

I saw someone comment that when it spins backwards, it acts like a grinder tool.

OMG. I just caught your video. Helpful except one thing. It appears you left the battery in while you were taking the blade in and out of the saw. My dad taught me how to run machinery and told me stories of how people cut off fingers and even hands not adhering to safety. He ran machinery for over 75 years. Please, please take the battery out of the saw before touching the blade. Accidents happen all the time. I was frontline safety where I worked and I see stuff without even thinking about it. I want you to be safe and I am sure your family does too. Thanks for the information.

@TheOptimisticGardener

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the advice.