Styrene substitutes?

[FJ and G]

Every issue of MR has project(s) that involve the use of styrene. I found some at a hobby shop but it is EXPENSIVE! Is there a cheaper substitute for styrene. I'm not talking about modeling with strathmore or wood. I'm talking about another plastic-type of substitute. (Course you could, I guess, carve up milk containers and other plastic trash around the house).

Absent any substitutes, where's the cheapest place to get styrene?

[Anonymous]

I don't really know if there is a substitute for styrene, other than wood, cardstock, or possibly foamcore, which you have ruled out. Maybe what you need is a different source fo styrene. The model shops are probably the most expensive way to get styrene. Other ways might be cheaper, but require more "leg work".

Try sign makers for off-cuts or other excess materials. Companies that supply plastics might have suitable materials in bulk at less cost than the LHS.

Let us know what you find out.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

The local hareware/lumber yard is a possibility, especially for larger sheets, as various styrenes are used in construction (insulation). If you need the really thin sheets for modeling cars and such like things (as it appears this is what your trying to do), perhaps you could make a miter box and a hot wire to make your own custom sheets.
I also like Masonjar's suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Yep, trash is the answer.

I have used styrofoam egg carton tops before. Although it isn't as durable as styrene but it is much cheeper. [:D]

For the most part I use those plastic containers that are used to bring "left-overs" home from the resturant (most of them are .030 thicknes). Popcicle sticks are a cheap alternative for lumber, .080 thick (a popcicle stick is equivalent to about 7" X 32" in HO scale). Most 3"x5" cards are either .010 or .009 thick.

So for styrene alternatives...
.010 - 3x5 cards
.020 - glue 2 3x5 cards together
.030 - resturant containers
.040 - glue a 3x5 card to resturant container
.050 - well you get the point...
.060 - ...
.070 - ...
.080 - popcicle stick (unless it needs to be flexible - gluing a 3x5 card between 2 pieces of resturant plastic including the glue equals .080)

For glue, I use yellow carpenters glue, white glue can also be used, as they are vinyl and remain flexible. I don't recommend the use of CA for laminating your trash, it dries hard and will crack if you bend it.

Also, remember that the glue will add to the overall thickness so keep that in mind when laminating items to get a specfic thickness.

In the Scratchbuild Off" I will most likely build my water tower from resturant plastic, popcicle sticks and electrical wire. The prototype water tank framework is made from 14"x14" lumber. Gluing 2 sticks together then cutting it into strips, I could make those framing timbers nearly free. I plan to use electrical wire (one strand from stranded wire) for the tank banding. The roof and ladder I will most likely cut from resturant plastic containers (.030 in HO is 2.6").

Hope this helps.

[FJ and G]

Dave, you are certainly an enterprising person. I found that Marine Goop at Home Depot makes anything stick together except possibly delron or whatever that no-stick plastic is that is found around draft gears.

I just finished my basement and have a nice table saw so I know how to cut really thin wood like for ties and stuff. Glad to see there's at least one person out there turning tra***o treasures!

[lupo]

You could try local Shops and Supermarkets for old display boards and other leftover promotion materials folder trays, signs, there is lots of styrene used in decorating in supermarkets, because it is so easy to cut and to bend , it forms into anything you want.

[jrbarney]

Fonda,
Don't know where in Virginia you live, but if there is a sign shop near you, you might want to get friendly with them and find out what their source is for styrene. They must want to get it cheaply to keep their prices down. You'll have to assure them that you don't plan to compete in the sign business. Who knows, they might let you have their cut off scrap.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Big_Boy_4005]

Part of the reason the stuff from the hobby store is so expensive, is the fact that it is neatly cut into small pieces and packaged for you.

Check the yellow pages under plastic, and visit a dealer. Often they have scrap bins from which you can buy by the pound.

Also if you are doing a large project, consider buying a whole sheet. Don't worry about fitting it in your car, they can cut it for you too, though they may charge for this service. It actually comes in a variety of colors, but we are only used to seeing white.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jrbarney

Fonda,
Don't know where in Virginia you live, but if there is a sign shop near you, you might want to get friendly with them and find out what their source is for styrene. They must want to get it cheaply to keep their prices down. You'll have to assure them that you don't plan to compete in the sign business. Who knows, they might let you have their cut off scrap.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

This has been a source of styrene for me. We had stencils made for the ship's wordmarks and the sign store were more than pleased to see their scrap put to good use.

I have, in the past, used 1/40th" birch aircraft plywood for building. Really nice results

[easyaces]

[:)]Ok Try this- You know that real thin sheet plastic they make for sale signs and such that you can find at the hardware store? Try that. Its like acetate plastic, but seems to work just as well with plastic cements and CA(cyanoacrylate) You might have to sand off whats on it, but it works, and take paint pretty well too.

[wp8thsub]

Look in the phone book under "plastic." Plastic dealers sell styrene that's identical to what Evergreen packages but in 4 X 8 foot sheets. One of the guys in my round robin group bought a sheet of .060" styrene for about $12.00 and the store delivered it to his house free! I picked up a sheet of .030" over 10 years ago for $8.00 and am still using what's left for scratchbuilding projects. The only Evergreen styrene I buy is specialty stuff like pre-grooved siding.

[FJ and G]

One "substitute" i used in the past was plastic coated cardboard used for signs. I predict that during this nasty election season there will be a lot of political signs. After the elections, I will collect these signs; at least the ones that are put up in illegal places.

Thanks for your creative ideas!

[on30francisco]

You can purchase styrene in some of the bigger arts & craft stores such as Pearls or Michael's (in California). I buy my styrene, stripwood, plastruct, brass shapes, paintbrushes, and other supplies there. They are much cheaper than the LHSs and they are also very well stocked.

[tatans]

Go to a plastic supply store, and as mentioned above buy whole or 1/2 sheets for $8-$10 a 4'x4' sheet will build a LOT of STUFF. plus they sell all kinds of adhesives, tools and other great stuff.

[Anonymous]

Try US Plastics.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=76&product%5Fid=3008

Large sheets & inexpensive. Really large sheets.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

How about vinylsiding ,there is plenty around any new construction sites.