Plastic sheeting

[JimmyGerrard]

Hi all. I am looking to get hold of some plastic sheeting about 2mm thick but have no clue where to buy it from, or what type of plastic would be best! Can you buy it from places like B&Q and Wickes or are there specialist stores I will have to seek out?

I am going to use it mainly for gauges- I have inset a monitor in to an MDF panel and want to overlay this with holes cut in precisely for the gauges.

Any advice on types and where to buy would be great. :-)

[No Longer Active]

Hi Pal,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WHITE-3MM-ACRYLIC-PERSPEX-PLASTIC-SHEET-500-X-500MM_W0QQitemZ130336363221QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item1e58a712d5

Check out their other items, this is where I buy all my acrylic from and its dirt cheap, I made my radio stack using their acrylic!

Top stuff, either use their colours or cover with vinyl!

[Ronson2k9]

If you want clear you can find that at the big box home improvement stores. Sometimes the local hardware store has them too.

Pretty expensive as I found out a little while ago. I had bought a small piece once for my yoke clip and it's about twice that price now..hehe. Still easier to work with then glass.

BTW I found the circle cutter needed for both cutting the instrument holes in the MIP and the plexiglass covers for them. Walmart of all places had a half dozen of them. :) That would work if your cutting your panel out of metal as well even though mine is the ever popular masonite (hard board)

http://www.dremeleurope.com/dremelocs-uk/Product.jsp;jsessionid=86A6F002F3A92BA2D32685F217DAAC3B?&language=en-GB&ccat_id=526&prod_id=392

To cut the outside of the circle (no pilot hole) you will need a template to work from. You can use a spare piece of MDF with a wide enough sweep (a circular end smaller then the piece you want) clamp that to the plastic. I would cut a bit bigger then you need then sand it smooth. Remember you can always subtract, adding to a cut piece is rather hard.. Also if you use the cutting bit you have allow for the thickness of the bit.

Big gauges overall resulting cut diameter 80mm or 40mm radius.

Like making cookies I would use a piece of masonite (hard board) or thin MDF exact diameter of the glass you want. Cut to circle of wood that size you will see why later. Using one of the templates mark that on the protective layer of plastic (when ever you by plexi it come with a sheet of protective plastic on top) using a grease pencil (felt tips can smear to easily - remember you're marking on plastic).. After you have all your glass drawn on your plastic. Then take that template and use it as part of your cutting guide.

Cutting guide will be a piece of wood you can clamp to your cutting surface and plastic. This will keep the guide steady as you make your circle cuts. You'll be able to most of the cut (depending on the width of your cutting jig board). The cutter can't make a full circle as it can't pass by your jig.

I drew up a model of a jig for you. Forgive the kinda crumby C Clamp.. I was in a hurry.
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp244/Ronson2k3/Cessna%20T206H/CircleJig.jpg

I would use some scrap pieces of MDF under the plexi to give the cutting bit clearance through the plastic.

Hope that helps...
Ron


Drilling a hole in the center

[turbopropdriver]

Model shops sell plasticard sheet and strip etc. That's what I used back in the dim n distant past when I was building my F5 and then my 737.

Dean

[Doon1]

I used PVC sheeting. It can be cut, hole sawed, routed, and drilled without the melting that you get from other plastics. If you can find a local dealer that would be best as I found shipping will double the cost.
John