Well. duh... If you want to buy some stuff from them, then aren't you a "client"?
TELL them what you want it for, maybe you can make a deal for some scraps.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Around here, we simply look in the Yellow Pages under "Plastics Suppliers". The first time I bought a 4'x8' sheet, I was worried about it blowing out of the box of my pick-up, but they simply rolled it up and taped it - it fit readily into the front seat, and was compact enough that I could have easily taken it on a bus.
While .060" is plenty sturdy enough for model-making in HO, I can't see it being enough-so when used as a backdrop, and you'll have the added problem of how to fasten it in place.
I used the walls of my layout room as the backdrop, but coved the corners using 1/8" Masonite. To accomplish this seamlessly, I used 3/8" drywall in place of the regular 1/2" board used in the rest of the room, for a minimum of one stud spacing on both sides of every corner. I then used a tape measure to roughly duplicate the curve which I wanted, added an inch-or-so to that measurement, and cut the Masonite. One edge was place over the 3/8" drywall, and butted against the adjoining 1/2" drywall, then, by pressing firmly at the centre of the hardboard, the other edge was snapped into place, effectively trapping the now-curved Masonite in place. I pre-drilled the Masonite along both edges, then countersunk for the heads of the drywall screws used to fasten it in place. The joint was then mudded and taped, then finished like any other drywall joint. In the 20-some years that it's been in place, none of the joints have opened. Incidentally, I used regular Masonite: you don't need to spend extra money on "Tempered" Masonite, as the "tempering" refers only to the fact that the smooth surface is somewhat harder than the regular variety - both are equally flexible, and I have easily curved it, without wetting, down to an 8" radius.
Here's a sketch of the method. (The red line represents the drywall tape, while the green is the joint compound.)
Here's the oddly-shaped layout room - I coved all corners, both inside and outside:
Here's a shot showing the 3/8" drywall against the 1/2", with the Masonite in-place and finished. The gap is to accommodate the benchwork for a proposed second level of the layout:
A coved corner (I've since improved the lighting here to eliminate shadows)
An outside corner:
...and another outside corner, along with an 8" radius on the layout fascia:
I think that the Masonite will do a better job than styrene, and at a much lower cost, too. I do use a fair bit of .060" styrene for model building, though, and have already gone through 5 or 6 sheets of it.
Wayne
I used styrene flashing bought at website I cant't remember the site now but it was 50 feet X 2 feet at around 49.00? for the roll. I can update once I get home and look it up or look at my Photobucket pics, it really was great to manage and the best thing I found for my needs.
Howdy
I don't know the thickness but what I used is called FRP in Alaska. Down south it was called Marlite or Abatiby. It's what I see on jobs they use to do bathroom and kitchen walls with on commercial jobs. Just turn it over. The back is smooth as can be. Most building suppy stores sell it. Works great and it comes 4x8.
Good luck, Ron
Yea, tried 3 small shops in my area. All three were sign shops. I asked if they used styrene in their signs and they said yea, but they don't sell materials unless I'm a "client"??? I guess they didn't want easy money, a 4X8 ripped into 3 strips. I'll try the website above see what they have.
Thanks for the help!
I am a little surprised that your local sign shops won't sell you a full or partial sheet. Here there is a one man operation and he is more than willing to order a sheet for me, though I have never ordered one. He gets regular shipments, though I'm not sure how often. If I were planning a large project (long backdrop) I'm sure he would be able to get it in a reasonable amount of time. He will even cut it for me as necessary.
Try a small shop rather than a large one.
Good luck,
Richard
ctyclsscs You might try these folks. I've ordered some large sheets where they've rolled it up and put it in a box. I can't remember what the thickness was, though. http://www.usplastic.com/ They won't cut it, but their prices are pretty reasonable if you can cut it yourself. Jim
You might try these folks. I've ordered some large sheets where they've rolled it up and put it in a box. I can't remember what the thickness was, though.
http://www.usplastic.com/
They won't cut it, but their prices are pretty reasonable if you can cut it yourself.
Jim
Masonite is it! There is no way that you will ship ANYTHING 96" long at a reasonable price!
I ship wine all over the state. Since in North Dakota you cannot use a carrier like UPS or FedEx, it must go freight. 35# box or 170# box, it is all the same to them as far as price goes. If a customer does not order 5 case of wine, they will get taken for a ride on the shipping.
But maybe YOU are going tot the wrong kind of a store. Try a window and glass store.
I've heard of folks using .060 styrene as backdrops. I'm having a heck of time finding anyone local (signs shops etc) to sell me a large sheet of styrene. Can anyone recommend an online place that will cut and ship styrene sheets at a reasonable price. I need 3 pieces 15" X 96".
Otherwise masonite it is!