Great place to buy plexi

toolguy

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Just thought I'd pass this on. I found http://www.usplastic.com/ after my local glass shop wanted to charge me $50 for a Bronze tinted piece of Plexi, for my Asteroids Cabaret. The reason why it was so much is the store buys from a thrid party. It did not matter it was being cut either, I asked to get a larger size and cut it myself, the price did not change...

So I searched and found US Plastics and what I needed here: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23901&catid=442.

Here is what I paid for my piece, it is an exact match tint and thickness. I'll need to cut it to size, but still better then $50.

$18.30 Bronze 2370 1/4" 12" x 24" Acrylic

Totals
Order Subtotal $18.30
Shipping and Handling $7.93
Tax $0.00
OrderTotal (USD) $26.23


Their tech support was great, I emailed a question and someone got back to me within 24 hrs. I was also emailed at every step of the order process.

There is even a Knowledge Base http://www.usplastic.com/knowledgebase/default.aspx?clickid=popcorn
with loads of info, such as how to cut, care and more, for your plastic.

And unlike other places on line, there is no minimun to buy.
 
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Yep, I've used 'em before for the milky white plex in a Midway CT (I needed an odd size)
and it was waaaay cheaper than local. I believe local was quoted at $47 and I got it from USplastics for $12. Awesome place for plexi.
 
They have a tool for it. It's like a really dull knife and you cut a groove into the plexi, going over the groove a few times, then snap it off. It helps to sandwich the part to be used between a couple pieces of wood or something to prevent cracking. I've done it a few times and never had a problem.
 
what color would you say is the "typical" dark shade of plexi-glass? I'd like to replace the two panels on my red tent, but I'm indecisive about what to choose! :)
 
How do you cut the plexi? Just use a utility knife, or how?

I cut it with my hand held jig saw since it was 1/4 inch thick. You use a fine tooth blade, however it can heat the plastic while cutting and make a mess. Thus you must spray the blade down with water, while slowly cutting it. The process works just fine and I used an old spray bottle.

I've cut enough Lexan plastic before and for that type you don't need to spray that down while cutting.
 
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what color would you say is the "typical" dark shade of plexi-glass? I'd like to replace the two panels on my red tent, but I'm indecisive about what to choose! :)

Not sure. Looking back, I went a little darker then the original on my Asteroids by accident of course. So using the number above, I'd go one less shade if I did it again.
 
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Table saw works too, just keep it from rising while cutting and your golden.

I have a NOS marquee coming that i'll need to cut all 4 edges. Let me know if this makes sense:

1) peal face protective covering so i can see image an determine where to cut
2) cut sides and ends on tablesaw, with marquee face-up

Can i expect the back covering to be enough to keep from scratching the plexi on the saw, or do i need more protection on the bottom?
 
I have a NOS marquee coming that i'll need to cut all 4 edges. Let me know if this makes sense:

1) peal face protective covering so i can see image an determine where to cut
2) cut sides and ends on tablesaw, with marquee face-up

Can i expect the back covering to be enough to keep from scratching the plexi on the saw, or do i need more protection on the bottom?

If you have the top paper peeled up, I'd put a piece of masking tape down, along where the cut will be. Also, another layer of something under it wouldn't hurt. Maybe tape a piece of poster board down, on the tablesaw.
 
Just for anyone else who is looking, usplastics doesn't carry 1/16" thick sheets in colored acrylic, the thinnest they carry is 1/8 thick. Not a problem for me because I just went back and cleaned up what I had. If I needed them, I probably would have given them a call and see if they could sell/send me samples of their line.
 
I have a NOS marquee coming that i'll need to cut all 4 edges. Let me know if this makes sense:

1) peal face protective covering so i can see image an determine where to cut
2) cut sides and ends on tablesaw, with marquee face-up

Can i expect the back covering to be enough to keep from scratching the plexi on the saw, or do i need more protection on the bottom?

Table saw is OK as long as it wont melt the plastic while cutting...

And cover all exposed areas with masking tape. You could be safe and cover the entire thing, ever over the plastic covering. The last thing you want is a burr getting caught under the plastic and then scratch the marquee while you are moving it into the blade.
 
Yeah, the 'score and snap' process worked great for me.

index.php


In the above picture, my 'new' piece of plexi is clamped below my old piece. I was replacing a smoked piece with a clear piece. I used my original smoked piece as a template, and scored the new plexi with a dull utility blade. Then I removed the template piece, flipped over the new scored piece, and lined up the scored line with my clamping board. I just grabbed the whole length, flicked up my wrists, and 'SNAP!' a clean break.

FYI - I left my plastic coating on the new plexi until I was all done and ready to mount it - saved on fingerprints, scratches, etc.

If you need to clean up rough edges, you can use a sanding block.
 
You run the diamond part over the plexi really hard about 4 or 5 times. Using a ruler as a guide to make a nice groove, you just bend it and, hopefully, it snaps along that groove.
 

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