Need to start making some router jigs again, but I can’t seem to find any large size polycarbonate (3/8″ or thicker) for the job. Lee Valley sells 12″ x 12″ sheets, but I was hoping for something a little bigger….anybody know where I can get the stuff? On the internet??
SS
Replies
I recently discovered a supplier that might help. "ASAP Source" appears to be a national chain that sells all manner of material supplies: plastic, copper, brass, steel in rods or sheets, etc., etc.
You might give them a try in addition to the Yellow Pages under "plastics".
Frosty
Does anyone remember who Wolley Segap is?
About 40 years ago this was part of an ad program for the Yellow Pages. (Spelled backwards.)
SS ,
Try your local glass shop , they typically handle plexi glass as well as Lexan .
dusty
olddusty is correct, your local glass supplier will carry what you need. I've bought several sheets in exactly the sizes I've wanted.
I Tried the ASAP Source site. Took a minute to figure out how to use their on-line catalog, but they have polycarbonate in 6 different thicknesses. 1/4" is 15 cents/square inch. I need some too, so happy to find this info here!
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
My local plastics supplier has 4 x 8 sheets of all kinds, lexan, poly. ABS, etc. My other best source is http://www.mcmaster.com as a general industrial supply house. Next day delivery with standard ground shipping.
I find the ASAP prices are at least double the comparison I did compared to mcmaster. Generally find the online metal shops are way up there as well. Mcmaster is pretty fair in their pricing and service is the best of any one I deal with and I purchase thousands of dollars each week.
Edited 12/5/2006 11:50 am ET by RickL
RickL,
We use McMaster Carr at work, they do seem to be fair in their prices. I use 4'x8' sheets of 1/8" and 1/4" all the time. It cuts all right on the table saw but I have not had much luck cutting it with a sliding miter saw (DW718). I have seen 1/4" sheet break the teeth off a saw blade, carbide plus about 1/2" to 5/8" of the tooth, can be nasty stuff to cut, be careful.
Saw
I can get lexan much cheaper from a local glass shop than I can from any online source that I've seen.
polarsea1,
Are you buying full sheets where you decide the size you desire or buying their cut offs.
McMaster Carr sells a 4'x8' sheet of 1/4" for around $170.00 or $5.31 a square foot.
Saw
No, I wouldn't use a full sheet in a lifetime. I recently bought some 3/8" and they cut it for me at $5.00 SF. Probably from their cutoffs.
Since you brought it up, having worked in Plant maintenance for a good long time, I can tell you this for sure: you pay a premium for the convenience of dealing with MCS, Grainger or McMaster Carr.
polarsea1,
Plant maintenance (carpenter for a major window manufacturer) is my daily endeavour now. I'm fairly new to some of the products used in the carpenter "rough cabinetry" shop. Along with the polycarbonate, we also use Plyron, dense plywood with a slick Masonite type finish. It's a kick working in a 30' x 40' shop area but I don't get down to my basement shop much anymore!
I'm sure we pay for the speed and convenience of McMaster Carr, MSC and Grainger.
Saw
I see from your profile that you live in Japan which explains the difficulty your having finding the plastic. Here is a link to Industrial Plastic & Paints. You could try to get ahold of them to see if they will ship to you. They do cut to size and sell locally so I don't see why they couldn't send you what you want. If they won't or can't, and don't point you in a direction that can, let me know by email through my profile and I'll see if I can get it and send it to you.
http://www.ippnet.com/EN/index.html
And two sections from their plastics pages.
http://www.ippnet.com/EN/main/products/plastics/5526.html
http://www.ippnet.com/EN/main/products/plastics/5527.html
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