Cutting plastic

What's the best way to neatly cut plastics?

Would it be better to warm the surface then cut with a stanley knife/cutting tool/hacksaw and then file to the correct size, or cut directly to the right size?

I'm thinking about just getting an old double din radio (with its mounting brackets left in place) and cutting the correct size ho (le for my screen, as then the fascia will fit my car exactly (as it's an odd shape, wider at the top than the bottom). The actual cage is double-din size.

Cheers

I often like to do a rough cut with my dremel erring on cutting of less material then I will clean it up after with a file or even a sanding disc on the dremel if I'm feeling adventurous.

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Hi
+1 on the dremel
You have to be careful as the high speed not only cuts but melts the plastic, I then use a mouse sander http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...33#Description to clean up the mess :)

it depends on the plastic. what type are you talking about?

It's ABS-PA, I was basically thinking along the lines of getting an old double-din head unit and cutting out a screen shaped hole (so there were still the release pins present), rather than getting a fascia adapter and fabricating the screen to the fascia (and losing any ability to remove the screen and computer together from the dash).

hmm.. abs is difficult to cut-- as soon as it gets heated up above it's melting point(i want to say it's like 150deg F ), it just kind of turns to goo around the cutting disk.. the 'best' method is to use a sawblade type blade with a dremel. take it slow, clean the melted plastic off the disk often, and it should cut ok.

Put some tape down and just follow the line, the cut won't come out perfect, but you can block it down straight after, then a little paint over the edge and it should be good if your standards aren't to high.