Where to buy acrylic sheet in the US?

[Tim Wescott]

Kinda off-topic, because I really need to know for work, but:

Who's good for acrylic sheet in the US? I'm thinking of some place that's your go-to, the same way that I buy steel from either Online Metals or McMaster. I just need small amounts -- half a square foot in the thicknesses I need will probably do me for a lifetime.

 

[Cogsy]

I can't help with a supplier name (as I'm in Australia) but when I needed some I looked up the closest commercial supplier and took a drive to their shop. They weren't set up to sell to the public but they were happy for me to go through their skip bin and it was full of off-cuts and 'scrap'. I got enough to last me years in various thicknesses and colours and it didn't cost me a cent. I imagine your local commercial suppliers are probably the same.

 

[Tim Wescott]

I need some oddball thicknesses -- I actually have a nice stash of 1/8" thick that I got just that way.

It turns out (d'oh) that McMaster has acrylic sheet. It's probably overpriced -- McMaster has everything, it's all top notch, and it's all at a higher price than you could find that same thing somewhere else with some digging. But -- it's there, and it's top notch, so if you're just buying one of it and you're on the clock, it's worth it.

 

[Clive]

Did you try the nearest commercial supplier, it had worked for me too. They had a lot of stuff as scrap, and were happy to help me with my requirements. Didn't cost me anything but I did purchase my couple of other requirements from them at a later stage.

 

[BaronJ]

Kinda off-topic, because I really need to know for work, but:

Who's good for acrylic sheet in the US? I'm thinking of some place that's your go-to, the same way that I buy steel from either Online Metals or McMaster. I just need small amounts -- half a square foot in the thicknesses I need will probably do me for a lifetime.

Hi Tim,

An old flat screen TV or laptop screen might provide what you need ! I've broken a couple up and recovered sheets the size of the screen and one piece 3 m thick and another 2 mm thick. One was clear with a grid of tiny dots across the surface the other is translucent white plastic and 2 mm thick.

There are other sheets of plastic in them as well.

 

[stevehuckss396]

https://www.eplastics.com/Attach files


Should have what you are looking for. They also have the teflon sheet I use for gaskets.

 

[Barnbikes]

Have you tried Menards or any other local home repair store?

 

[jasonh]

https://www.tapplastics.com/
Online or retail stores in CA, OR, WA.

 

[cobra]

Try your nearest glass shop. They usually carry plastic as well.

 

[Mike Henry]

Kinda off-topic, because I really need to know for work, but:

Who's good for acrylic sheet in the US? I'm thinking of some place that's your go-to, the same way that I buy steel from either Online Metals or McMaster. I just need small amounts -- half a square foot in the thicknesses I need will probably do me for a lifetime.

My goto is McMaster-Carr for small quantities, say a few sheets of 12x24. They are about the same price as the plastic suppliers near me unless you are buying full-size sheets or custom sizes in quantity. Other options are Alro and Piedmont, but it really depends on where you are located.

One other thing - there can be significant differences in how extruded and cast acrylic behave that depend on the processing method and intent. For machined parts, I usually go with cast acrylic. The big box stores usually sell extruded acrylic.

 

[goldstar31]

Hi Tim,

An old flat screen TV or laptop screen might provide what you need ! I've broken a couple up and recovered sheets the size of the screen and one piece 3 m thick and another 2 mm thick. One was clear with a grid of tiny dots across the surface the other is translucent white plastic and 2 mm thick.

There are other sheets of plastic in them as well.

\

So I have a defunct 32" TV. I have a need to make templates for a T&C grinder--- with no graduations.
So is this possible please?
Clears throat. It was only £100 second hand. It certainly will sharpen hss lathe tools which don't need-- Files and lots of vassorted abrasive papers and cloths.

Grins in corner and nudge nudges- and winks .

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Caling other Limey Bastards- just got another mention that Lidl has a metal cutting bandsaw for a £100.

And it is portable too. Only fault is that it doesn't produce hacksaw blades to make parting tools.
It Does give springy steel for making ratchets for doing slitting saws-- which are different animals-

More anon-- maybe.

 

[frankmmarian]

\

So I have a defunct 32" TV. I have a need to make templates for a T&C grinder--- with no graduations.
So is this possible please?
Clears throat. It was only £100 second hand. It certainly will sharpen hss lathe tools which don't need-- Files and lots of vassorted abrasive papers and cloths.

Grins in corner and nudge nudges- and winks .

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Caling other Limey Bastards- just got another mention that Lidl has a metal cutting bandsaw for a £100.

And it is portable too. Only fault is that it doesn't produce hacksaw blades to make parting tools.
It Does give springy steel for making ratchets for doing slitting saws-- which are different animals-

More anon-- maybe.

What I would like to know please is how to peal the paper off old sheets of perspex. Then it is fresh to protective paper peals easily but old sheet it wont move at all. I have tried a number of solvents with no luck'

 

[BaronJ]

What I would like to know please is how to peal the paper off old sheets of perspex. Then it is fresh to protective paper peals easily but old sheet it wont move at all. I have tried a number of solvents with no luck'

All I've ever done to remove old protective paper is hot water and detergent. Let it soak for a while then it just turns into mush.

 

[goldstar31]

What I would like to know please is how to peal the paper off old sheets of perspex. Then it is fresh to protective paper peals easily but old sheet it wont move at all. I have tried a number of solvents with no luck'

I am a 90 yesr old widower living alone and no longer can get out shopping so I rely on prepared meals.
I have problems with removing clear plastic seals. My thoughts- without pulling a TV to bits is to insert a razor blade to start the removal.

After all, Myford lathes have laminated shims which are treated this way.

Yes, more comments please

 

[goldstar31]

Thanks BaronJ- your reply and my question must have crossed

Regards

Norman

 

[l.dullum]

Kinda off-topic, because I really need to know for work, but:

Who's good for acrylic sheet in the US? I'm thinking of some place that's your go-to, the same way that I buy steel from either Online Metals or McMaster. I just need small amounts -- half a square foot in the thicknesses I need will probably do me for a lifetime.

Try Grainger.com; they sell sheets as small as 12" x 12" in various colors and thicknesses.

 

[MRA]

What I would like to know please is how to peal the paper off old sheets of perspex. Then it is fresh to protective paper peals easily but old sheet it wont move at all. I have tried a number of solvents with no luck'

It's a right b*****, if it's the kind of thin plastic protective film. The sheets we have at work tend to have a pale blue film on one side which comes off easily enough however long it has been hanging about, and a white film on the other side which shrinks, cracks and splits, and which glues itself irrevocably onto the face of the acrylic. I've spent hours before, picking it off the face of a big thick bit which was going to be expensive to replace. What to do...peel it off when the sheet arrives, and then protect with cardboard or something?

 

[BaronJ]

Hi Guys,

I didn't realise that it was coated with a plastic protective film. All the stuff I have and have seen has been a paper based protection.

 

[maverick]

A heat gun or hair dryer seems to work well. Best to leave the paper coating intact so it is a thicker layer. If paper is scraped off, the old adhesive will soften but is hard to remove.

 

[ssaxer]

eplastics.com is local for me, but they are my go to place for both personal and work related plastics.