Thanks for the tips guys, I see a couple guys that are somewhat local so I will contact them
One of the sign shops here in Bakersfield has a scrap bin and sells Acrylic and Styrene scrap by weight. I even found some small blocks of Nylon in their scrap bin. They also sell the glue that they use for making signs, that works far better than anything I had ever used before.I used the block Nylon to make the brush holder for the Mel turntable slip ring.
Looks like a real conglomeration but it has worked great for over 12 years. I drilled holes in the Nylon block to hold the LGB Gauge wheel brushes and made the slip ring from Styrene tubing, Styrene spacer washers and copper washers. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Have you considered Walmart or a craft store like Michaels?
Just Google "Plastic Suppliers near me" and you will find that there may be several within driving distance. The last time I bought a 4' x 8' sheet of white 0.040" styrene, it cost around $25. Black styrene was about $3 more. Check current prices, though. Regardless, buying the equivalent 32 square feet of styrene from a hobby shop would cost over $200!
If the large sheet is rolled for shipping, cut it open as soon as you receive it so that it can relax and flatten out again. If you leave it rolled up, it will eventually take on the curved shape and become very tough to flatten out again.
Hornblower
One other option is to ask for a car dealership advertizing license plate. They will usually give you 4 or 5 just for asking. They are a bit thicker than a 'for sale' sign.
McMaster Carr has it up to 4' x 8' sheets down to strips. I think the thickness they sell is in fractions not decimal. They were cheaper than hobby stores last time I looked.
I've found that online plastic suppliers can vary quite a lot in their prices, not just from each other, but also the same company from one month to the next. Some companies seem more price stable than others. They mostly want to sell in 4x8 sheets, and if the stock you want won't roll well, at that size you will have to pay freight fees, so you should consider what it will cost to have the plastic cut down to a size where it can be shipped flat.
Also consider those sign makers people mentioned... If their offcuts aren't big enough for you, maybe they will be willing to add a full sheet or two on to their next order for you. It won't add much to their shipping cost but save you a lot of money.
Lastly, I have found that if you don't want to buy in bulk, and you want easily storable sizes, keeping an eye on Amazon and buying 1x1 or 2x2 sheets when the price dips is pretty hassle-free, and saves a lot over hobby shop prices.
That's all for just flat sheets. If you are looking for specialty stuff (scale clapboard, board and batten, I beams, etc.), I haven't really bought much of that, so I have nothing to offer there.
-Eric
As mentioned, plastics supplier is a great source. I bought a 4x8 foot sheet each of .040 and .060" that will meet my needs for years. I can't remember the price, but it was a small fraction of what it would cost adding up that much from a the hobby shops. My local plastics supplier has a scrap bin too, which can be interesting.
And it's fun, the freedom it gives to design a larger structure or something, knowing you have big clean slabs of the stuff and it didn't cost a fortune. Dan
The yard signs, like "For Sale", "Yard Sale", etc, found in the local hardware store also work, althoug they have the printing on one side.
Mike.
My You Tube
MisterBeasleyI've never done it, but I've heard that those little shops that make signs for businesses can sell you some, and may even just give you some from their scrap pile.
There is a sign shop here that sells the "drops" from retail sign making. These are all white and 0.080" thick. The pieces are not very wide, no more than an inch or so.
I would imagine the actual signs, when they become outdated, would be much more useful.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I've ordered large sheets delivered from US Plastics, the Rubbermaid people. It came rolled up, just plain white styrene in whatever thickness I ordered.
I've never done it, but I've heard that those little shops that make signs for businesses can sell you some, and may even just give you some from their scrap pile.
Another quick fix is to go to a big store and buy a For Sale or Beware of the Dog sign. The back side of those is white.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
JeremyB Hi guys styrene at my local shop is quite expensive and has always been. Would you guys have any tips as to where else we might be abled to find styrene thanks jeremy
Hi guys
styrene at my local shop is quite expensive and has always been. Would you guys have any tips as to where else we might be abled to find styrene
thanks
jeremy
If there are plastics suppliers in your town you can buy styrene in large sheets. Sign shops use it sometimes. They may give you scraps.
ETA: You can order styrene online from sellers on eBay, Amazon, etc.
Gary