seeking sheet material ideas for small prototype project

jkn · 2021-11-26T11:36:26+00:00

Hi all I'm musing on a suitable sheet material to use for a little experimental prototype I want to make.some points for consideration:- we are talking about parts a few cm to a few tens of cm in size- splashes of liquids are likely; nothing too corrosive, IPA in solution etc.- I want the material to be fairly easily cuttable/shapeable- parts will need to be fastened together - screwed or possibly glued- some strength required, but not massive strength- I have hand and power tools but no power cutting/shaping tools; so a pillar drill but no router or table saw.The ideal material for this would probably be polypropylene sheet (old chopping boards?), and it may come to that. But in the absence of power tools I can see the finish of that ending up rather cruder than I would likeFoamboard is probably a bit too lightweight and not quite strong enough. There is also the water resistance to consider.Wood, perhaps waxed or oiled, I can see working at a pinch. Cleanliness is important though and I am mildly concerned about sealing it properlyI'm really just trying to find out if there is anything else in the ballpark.My Dad would undoubtedly have used red fibreboard, but he didn't leave meenough for this particular project...Thanks for any thoughts J^n

Nov 26, 2021 Last reply: 4 years ago 22 Replies

Rate this thread:

Martin Brown 4 years ago

We are talking about very different sorts of foam board here.

The stuff you refer to is for making exhibition photo displays and is a rather soft foam between two sheets of glossy cardboard.

PVC foamboard is semi rigid and available in 3mm and upwards sizes. ISTR there are two grades I usually go for the lighter weight one.

I wouldn't describe it as an engineering plastic like nylon sheet would be but it is a lot more resilient than the feeble card backed stuff.

You may have to be a bit careful in the choice of plastic if there are alcohols about. IPA is fairly benign against most plastics but even a trace of methanol will cause stress corrosion cracking of many plastics.

You can acquire random colour offcuts for model making from your local shop sign maker or on eBay. Full sheets cost a fair bit more ~£30/m^2.

Vote

jkn 4 years ago

OK, yes we have been talking about different stuff. I am not familiar with 'foamed PVC sheet as used in shop signs' (earlier posting above); it sounds similar to uPVC and may be the sort of this I am after.

I'll check it out, thanks

J^n

Vote

Martin Brown 4 years ago

It is uPVC UV stabilised and in a range of random eye catching colours finishes and textures. Pot luck what you get on any given day (if anything at all). It is fairly soft and easily worked with hand tools.

You can get bits that letters have been cut out of for next to nothing (even free) if you can find a local sign maker and are making something that they think is "interesting".

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required