Official Sintra thread

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This is what I used for all of my armor although I know Seeker has used it and a different sintra and likes the other better than the sintra from US plastics.
 
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I got the White Expanded PVC 24" x 48" .120" Thick for my armor. It worked out great.

here are my results
<img src=http://200.72.163.179/cdref/tdh/Armor/thighs.jpg>
<img src=http://200.72.163.179/cdref/tdh/Armor/legs.jpg>
<img src=http://200.72.163.179/cdref/tdh/Armor/sintraarmor.jpg>
<img src=http://200.72.163.179/cdref/tdh/Armor/sintraarmor1.jpg>
<img src=http://200.72.163.179/cdref/tdh/Armor/sintraarmor2.jpg>
<img src=http://200.72.163.179/cdref/tdh/Armor/sintraknees1.jpg>
<img src=http://200.72.163.179/cdref/tdh/Armor/sintraknees2.jpg>
<img src=http://200.72.163.179/cdref/tdh/Armor/sintraknees3.jpg>
 
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I ordered some plastic from USP's website a week ago - to be specific, I ordered 2, 40"x70" sheets of .060" Styrene (for vacuforming) and 1, 24"x48" sheet of 2mm Sintra for thermoforming and miscellaneous prop and armor building.

After seeing an earlier picture of someone's (phantom viper?) package from USP that had been damaged by UPS in transit, I was a little nervous. At least I was confident that the sheets would be shipped FLAT and in "sheet" form.

Imagine my horror upon arriving home this afternoon to find this! :eek: (I opened the end to take the pic - it WAS taped shut, at least).

(the Sintra is on the inside, the Styrene is on the outside)
usp.jpg


I *think* with some TLC and some moderate heat, I can make the sheets FLAT again. I find USP's packaging methods TOTALLY unacceptable. I need these sheets FLAT so that I can cut them and insert them into my vacuforming frames. If they are "warped", the frames will bow. NOT good.

Buyer beware! :angry
 
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That does suck... My three sheets were sent flat as well.. The lady I dealt with from USP was great. Very helpfull, and everything came through fine. I am planning on getting some more from them soon, as I forgot to pack a sheet in my move to florida.

Cheers.

Erik
 
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Looks like someone else got their shipment in a "flat box" (was that phantom viper?) as well in the past (though it arrived with a big hole in it). Maybe USP just doesn't like me? :facepalm

*MY* box was approximately 10"x10"x48" and had 3 sheets of plastic rolled up inside it! I shudder to think what they would have done had the Sintra been 3mm or 4mm, or had the Styrene been any thicker.

I guess they do this is to lower shipping costs. I know UPS charges not only by weight, but by size as well. The more space it takes up on their truck, the more they charge because your package is taking up room that they could be using to haul someone else's package. Still, I'd rather pay MORE to get merchandise unharmed and in the form I expected it to be delivered in. :facepalm

Oh well, enough of my ranting. Just be careful in the future if anyone orders from them... I'm going to see if Materiél Graphics is back to dealing with non-companies like they used to do. ;)
 
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Does having it rolled up warp Styrene? I know it's alittle different, but I need to know. My dad gets styrene sheets for me from his work(maintinance dept. hospital), but they've all been rolled up for storage.
 
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Sure does... which sucks, 'cause i was justa bout to order a sheet from them.

Anybody know any other sources?
 
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I would suggest that if you are wanting to order some sintra from them, that you just shoot them an e-mail and ask how they will ship it.. Like I said, they were great with me.. I had originally ordered the 48" X 48" size sheets, they got back with me and suggested that I would be better off going 24" X 48" as they would have had to ship the 48" X 48" by freight. That would have put about an extra $75 on to the tab.. Overall, great service.

But if you are wary you may want to try one of the following.. You may need to see if they can modify the sheet size to cut down on shipping..

http://tri-dee.com/sintra_plastic_pvc.htm

http://www.dipmetals.com/plastic2.htm#sintra

Hope this helps..

Erik
 
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elfextra1 wrote:

Does having it rolled up warp Styrene?

Mine is still "wavy", 2 days out of the box. I think some moderate heat to the Styrene with a sheet of plywood on top of it, followed by an elephant standing on the plywood SHOULD return it to its normal state. :facepalm

I'll be able to work with the wavy Styrene as long as its straight enough to fit in my frames. *That* was my main concern with it.

As far as the Sintra goes, that I'm a little more upset about. Often I thermoform Sintra, but sometimes I just need a good, straight piece for "project X", and now that Sintra is all bendy. Again, hopefully some heat and pressing will fix it. Whether it does or not, the point is, I shouldn't HAVE to "fix" new material that is shipped to me. It should be packaged and shipped appropriately so I can use it "out of the box". Having to fix new material due to inproper packaging is irritating to say the least.

As far as other online vendors go, I used to order from Materiél Graphics in Chicago. They'd send me a 1"x1" piece of Sintra, if I wanted it. GREAT customer service, great prices, and low shipping. Unfortunately, they decided to stop selling to individuals and only sell to companies now. :(
 
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Toxic fumes? Great does anyone know the long term effect this will have on me? I need to invest in a good respirator. I have been warming the sintra with a heat gun and cutting it with a pair of sissors. ahhhhh the smell...No wonder I've been seeing things.
 
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I'll definatly try the x-acto knife with my new set. I used the dremel in my dorm and their was white dust EVERYWHERE for three days!
 
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Can anyone tell me an alternate name for sintra ( I live in the UK) as no one over hear seems to have heard of it. I know this has come up before but I will be damned if I can find the right thread.:confused
 
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SINTRA is a brand-name product of Alcan, and you can find their website here:

http://www.alusuisse-comp.com

The generic names for the material vary a little, and here are some common examples:

- expanded PVC foamboard
- expanded high-density rigid polyvinyl
- closed-cell expanded high-density polyvinylchloride

I don't know of any other brands that are the same exact material as Sintra, but maybe someone else can add that info.

If you need more info, here are some good threads:

http://tdh.prop-planet.com/viewtopic.php?topic=3932&forum=93249783

http://tdh.prop-planet.com/viewtopic.php?topic=4715&forum=93249783
 
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I used an X-acto knife set. I used an acute tip blade to score the shape (even round edges). I'd score it about 1/4 to 1/3 into the stuff, then use a bigger less acute tip (with the big handle in the set) to 'plow' through the scoring. Saves time, but you have to be extremely careful, because those knives can cut skin easier than sintra!
 
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