You’ll need a section of string about 2 feet (61 cm) long to cut through plastic. Jerk your hands outward with medium force while holding the string. It if flexes slightly and doesn’t snap, it’ll cut through plastic. You can purchase cotton or polyester string at any quilting or hobby store. The plastic that you’re cutting through needs to be held steady while you use the string to slice through it. Hold it tightly between your knees, since you’ll need both hands free. Depending on the size and shape of the plastic, you could also use a C-clamp to hold it to a worktable. This is risky though, since if you exert too much pressure with the clamp, the plastic could break. It’s best if you can set the thread in a corner or along an edge of the plastic, then begin to slide it back and forth. After a few moments, the thread will have cut a tiny groove in the plastic. Set the thread in this little groove and continue to work it back and forth. The groove will lengthen and eventually cut through the plastic. This is a slow, painstaking process. Cutting through thick plastic with thread —for example, when customizing an RC car or working with hobby models and miniatures—is effective, but can take hours. Continue working the thread back and forth until you’ve cut through the plastic. If you notice that part of the thread has become hot (due to its friction with the plastic), you may need to use a new section of thread. Hot thread is likely to snap. Roll a few more inches off of the spool, and continue cutting. The plastic that you’ve sliced through should have a very smooth, clean break without any rough or jagged spots.
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One-sentence summary -- Test your string’s durability. Clamp the plastic firmly between your knees. Work the thread back and forth to start a small incision. Replace the string if it gets hot or frayed.


Make sure that it is close enough that the cable can reach your computer without tension. Press your printer's power button; it will likely have a {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/5\/5d\/Windowspower.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Windowspower.png\/30px-Windowspower.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} icon on or next to it. Your printer must be plugged into a power source. In some cases, simply plugging your printer into your computer in this way will automatically setup and properly install the printer, making it ready to use. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. It's in the lower-left side of the Start window. This option is near the top of the Settings window. It's a tab on the left side of the window. This button is at the top of the page. This will typically be a combination of the printer's manufacturer (e.g., "HP"), the printer's model name, and the model number. If you don't see your printer's name here, click the The printer that I want isn't listed link below the Add a printer or scanner button and follow the on-screen instructions. Depending on your printer, you may need to customize your settings before the printer is ready; once you're done, the printer will be available for use.  If prompted, insert the CD that came with your printer into your computer's disc slot. If you bought your printer second-hand and didn't come with a CD, you can usually download the same software from the manufacturer's website.
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One-sentence summary --
Set your printer near your computer. Turn on your printer. With you computer turned on and unlocked, plug the printer into your computer using a USB cable. Open Start . Click Settings . Click Devices. Click Printers & scanners. Click Add a printer or scanner. Click your printer's name and click Add device. Follow the on-screen instructions.