Plastic to use for Vaccum Forming

[kieno]

Greetings,

I'm working on a replica of [the Multi Action Dust Rifle][/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeO-NSeoRac] from Monty Oum's RWBY series.

I've got most of it figured out, including the circuitry to allow you to change colours. The issue I'm having is with the dome at the bottem of the hilt. I can't find any cylinder and dome that match in diameter, are close enough to the dimensions I need, and are a strong enough material to actually be of use.

So I made a vacuum forming machine, similar to [this one][/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fucs_brr5Yo]

The problem I'm having is...what plastic do I use, is there a specific one? (on a limited budget for this build and am trying to save every cent I can)

 

[emperorkrulos]

Styrene is usually used for vacuforming.

For vacuforming something clear you can use the blister packaging from action figures. Like the ones Transformers come in.

For larger projects you can use polyethylene terephthalate (PETG).

See Vacuforming with clear plastic

 

[Gattaca]

Lots of plastics can be used, if it gets soft when you heat it, it can usually be vacuum formed. I use styrene for my models. Does the plastic need to be clear? You could try 1/16" lexan.

 

[kieno]

Naw, it can be clear or opaque. I can always paint it.
Thanks for the tip, now comes the hard part...finding some to buy. EDIT: anyone know where extra styrene and lexan would typically be thrown out?

 

[clonesix]

Styrene is most forgiving

 

[FLM Concepts]

Styrene is most forgiving

And relatively cheap to buy.

 

[Gattaca]

I buy my strene from SABIC (SABIC Polymershapes, Branch Locator). A 4'x8' sheet is around $20 depending on thickness. Other than that, a sign shop might have scraps or a plastics supply store.

 

[Contec]

Some shops sell signs (beware the dog, for sale, danger playing children) that are made from styrene.

 

[IEDBOUNTYHUNTER]

In larger cities i would look for a plastics supply house. I get a 4x8 sheet in.060 for 40 bucks.