vacuum forming

[Gandhi]

what site is a good place to purchase styrene sheets?

 

[Blaxmyth]

what site is a good place to purchase styrene sheets?

Not sure what country you're in, but I get mine through a local signwriters. He gets in styrene or ABS and puts very little markup on - 'cause he's a sci-fi fan. Might be worth calling in and checking out your local sign place. Phil

 

[Gandhi]

i live in the U.S. in PA

 

[Soldierboy]

Total Plastics, Inc.

They have 2 locations in PA. One might be near you. I use them in Baltimore and they were very helpful.

 

[Gandhi]

thanks

 

[Gandhi]

what would be a good substitute fo styrene?

 

[Dr No]

ABS is really your only other option for a good vacuum forming material
I am also building A vacuum form maching and I have been looking this kind of stuff up so if you need any more help feel free to pm me with questions

 

[Blaxmyth]

what would be a good substitute fo styrene?

Styrene. Styrene. Styrene.

Seriously, start with styrene, it's much more forgiving and gives sharper details with lower vacuums and has a larger tolerance of heat, whereas ABS needs a lot more vacuum and goes too close to overheating too easily. Move on to ABS once you've made some stuff with styrene.

Anyone else agree with me on this?

Phil

 

[Boba Swede]

Even if styrensheets used for vacum forming often are thinner than ABS you can always strenghten them up with some fibreglass i guess...

 

[Gandhi]

i had thought of using fiberglass to stiffen my armor molds

 

[Gilmortar]

PETG...it sometimes will mark lower then styrene, depending on the economy, but its clear, looks like acrylic but forms like styrene...might look into it

 

[Jimbo890]

Visit http://www.tk560.com/vactable4.html for some more info.