I like the idea of buying polystyrene in 4x8 sheets, but out in East Nowhere finding some might be a problem. I checked Home Depot online and they have zip. I found some .030 on Amazon, but they ship it rolled, and the biggest customer complaint is that it doesn’t completely relax.
So, where do you get it?
I ordered a couple of big sheets from US Plastics (the Rubbermaid people) many years ago. I still have a bit of it. It did come rolled up, but flattened out after I got it and let it just unroll naturally on the floor for a few days.
Look locally for a signmaking company. I’ve heard they use the same stuff and may have it in stock, or maybe they can order it or even give you scraps.
The latest MR has an article about some rolled aluminum product that a modeler was using for backdrops and view blocks. I would check that out, too.
interstateplasticsnet
Robert
Google “Plastic suppliers in my area” to find local plastic supply shops. I’m sure there must be one or two close enough to you to go pick up what you need. Rolling the material makes for much easier transport. If you’re worried about the curve setting in the material, just cut the wrapping once you get the stuff home and store it flat or on edge. Some shops will cut the full sheet into smaller pieces for a small fee. Current on-line pricing seems to range from around $20 for .030" to $40 for .060".
I have bought some from an industrial supplier before named McMaster-Carr, I bought some 12" x 48" sheets and were shipped whole. Their website is very user friendly.
The rolled aluminum from the latest MR I KNOW HD carries, because I’ve done work for the company that makes it, mostly involving controllign the labels that go on (with the barcodes and all) and HD has a certain spec (as do other retailers) for what goes on the label and how it is arranged.
I like the idea of almost no seams to worry about Probably none for my layout given how long each roll is.
–Randy
If it’s rolled, try rolling it back up in the opposite direction for a day or two and then lay it flat.
Jim
Between Sedona and Prescott, you live in God’s country, I am envious.
In Baltimore, they hand it to you, rolled up, while they wear gloves. Not sure Flagstaff is big enough to have a plastic distributor but Phoenix certainly would.
Shipping is expensive because there is no way to make the dimension of one side of the box less that 48" (assuming you are ordering the big sheets). Size matters in shipping too. If it bakes in a truck down in Phoenix, it may well take a set.
I’d say find a place in the big city and next time you have reason to go there, stop in and buy a couple sheets.
I agree with Henry. I’m sure it’s much hotter over there than here in Bakersfield and any thing left in our mailbox very long is royally cooked in short order. Even the packages left late by UPS are supper hot.
I buy 24” x 24” .060” Styrene sheets and so far no problem by USPS but they wont fit in the mailbox so they are brought up to the door.
I bought some carpet protectors from Costco and they were shipped by UPS, it took several days of reversing the roll and laying out flat in the sun before they were usable.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
Well, I got a bit confused between polystyrene sheets and styrene sheets. Polystyrene can include stuff like shipping and packaging things, like the the foam peanuts, and inserts that fit in a box to keep your electronic and fragile stuff secure, along with beaded insulation board, and such, the stuff that’s white, and not blue or pink (which is extruded, not expanded).
Maybe they’re all the same basic thing, but searching for “styrene sheets” gives different results.
I’m guessing your looking for styrene sheets, of .04 or .06 thickness for structure building? and even backdrops?
Here’s a place, that a simple search for “styrene sheets” came up with, along with the company that Robert’s reply has.
I’m sure it’s not the same ACME where Coyote bought his rockets, and devices, to get ahead of the Road runner. [(-D]
I would think shipping a 4’x8’sheet of this would be a challange, and cost as much as the product, if not more.
Mike.
My local, small town, sign shop used it. He offered to get me whatever thickness I wanted. On common sizes I could have gotten partial sheets. I did get some scrap pieces, for small projects, from him. Unfortunately he has retired.
Good luck,
Richard
That what I wrote earlier. It exceeds my wildest expectations. High Impact Polystyrene is another name for what the OP wants. Check out the shipping to Maryland
I’ve sourced smaller panels more in the 12x18 range on eBay for lower prices than Evergreen at the hobby shop and they shipped flat.