Routing 1/4" acrylic?

[Bill Space]

I cold bent it all the time in the model shop at Caterpillar Industrial Design.

OK, but what was the thickness? 1/16" I suppose would work. 1/2" I would guess would not work.

I have some 1/4 inch lexan...could I cold bend it with my break? I kind of doubt it, but would like to know...

[Richard Coers]

OK, but what was the thickness? 1/16" I suppose would work. 1/2" I would guess would not work.

I have some 1/4 inch lexan...could I cold bend it with my break? I kind of doubt it, but would like to know...

You can bend 1/4". You need to bend it slowly, it has a lot of spring back, and it bulges on the edges. I had better luck with a press and a 1/4" radius on the punch

[Larry E Stroud]

I use MDF for templates and cut the parts within 1/2” or so on the table/band saw.
I’m curious about the application, are these hatch covers framed? 1/4” seems too thin for a hatch cover, unless it’s mounted vertical I suppose.
Most of the clear hatch covers I’ve seen are either molded with a frame or 1/2” thick frameless