styrene use on props

[Sith_Lord_Hritz]

noob question alert


I am still very new to prop building and i always see people talking about the use of styrene to make parts for props. I have never used it and never see it in a store, so my question is where can i buy it and are there different kinds?

 

[Jedifyfe]

I have wanted to ask this very question, but was always too worried about coming off NOOBISH!

Also, can you heat bend it?



Brad

 

[silverskyes402]

You can buy sheets of different sizes usually in small hobby shops, never seen it in places like Michaels and such. You can always use pieces of CD cases if you cant get ahold of any. It pretty easy to work with, but kinda melts when a dremel is taken to it.

 

[Fulcrum]

Heres what I know about it.
I buy mine from a local sign shop.
It come in sheet of 48"x96" for $20"thats a high price aswell." and is available in diffrent thicknesses,and textures.

 

[TridCloudwalker]

It's just sheet plastic. The same stuff For Sale signs are made out of. You can buy it in just about any hobby store. It'll be in a spinning rack labeled either Evergreen or Plastruct. It also comes in rods, tubes, square rods, different textures, colors, sizes shapes, etc.

 

[Mike J.]

Model train stores usually carry it.


-Mike

 

[TridCloudwalker]

Heres what I know about it.
I buy mine from a local sign shop.
It come in sheet of 48"x96" for $20"thats a high price aswell." and is available in diffrent thicknesses,and textures.

That's not a bad price. The sign shop pays $15 wholesale for it.

 

[Fulcrum]

That's not a bad price. The sign shop pays $15 wholesale for it.

depends on where and how much you buy:
http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Styrene_Hi_Impact

.030" x 48" x 96" Styrene Sheet
.030"X48"X96" White Hi-Impact Styrene

Quantity Price
1 – 9 $17.50
10 – 24 $15.75
25 – 49 $14.00
50 – 99 $12.04
100 + $10.92

 

[Laubi]

When I need styrene I just take it out of the shelves at work... ^^
2m x 3m are enough and in a thickness from 1 to 10 mm. very handy...

 

[Ramiel]

When I need styrene I just take it out of the shelves at work... ^^
2m x 3m are enough and in a thickness from 1 to 10 mm. very handy...

A lot of people will hate you after this post!:lol

 

[BlindSquirrel]

I was able to find a plastic supply house near the airport that not only sells retail but will sell in half sheets (4' x 4'). Hit the Yella Pages under "Plastic".

 

[clonesix]

noob question alert


I am still very new to prop building and i always see people talking about the use of styrene to make parts for props. I have never used it and never see it in a store, so my question is where can i buy it and are there different kinds?

I think the question has been answered already. I just wanted to add a link to evergreen:

Everything a model builder needs: http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/Sheets.htm


Styrene plastic comes in sheets and shapes in any thickness or size. Because of it being inexpensive, easy to cut and shape, and easy to glue and paint, it is a good choice for models.

 

[Sith_Lord_Hritz]

You guys say I can find it at hobby stores, do you mean like “Hobby Town USA or Hobby Lobby” thanks for your help

 

[Jaruemalak]

You can buy sheets of different sizes usually in small hobby shops, never seen it in places like Michaels and such. You can always use pieces of CD cases if you cant get ahold of any. It pretty easy to work with, but kinda melts when a dremel is taken to it.

As has been said, many "For Sale" or that type of sign available at hardware stores and such are styrene, and usually a lot cheaper than buying sheet styrene of the same size and thickness from a hobby store.

As to it melting when a Dremel tool is taken to it... turn the speed down! I've cut styrene for years and years... and YEARS! If you turn the speed of your cutting tool down, you don't get melting.

 

[rollerboi]

You guys say I can find it at hobby stores, do you mean like “Hobby Town USA or Hobby Lobby” thanks for your help

Yes. See the post above mine for a better suggestion, though.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

Easiest way to cut it is the score and snap technique. Sharp knife, straight edge. And if you heat it, yes it will bend.

 

[TheSt.LouisKid]

Iasco/Tesco offers styrene sheets in different colors on page 12.
http://www.iasco-tesco.com/catalog/IASCO_Catalog.pdf
By the way, you will see resin in this catalog. Do not buy it! They keep resin even if it has spoiled and sell it anyway!

The Forbidden Planet end cap I made. The blue part has white strip styrene bent around the curve. The white 3 pointed part is carved styrene.

This whole Romulan gun I made is entirely made of styrene.

My PKE wing master patter in styrene with geared bits in ABS.

My Forbidden Planet insignia master pattern before completion in styrene.

Scratch built Klingon Tricorder I made back in the late '80's based on the concept artwork...made entirely of styrene.

And that's just a few.

So...yes, styrene is good for making props. I hope this encourages you all to take on a project. You can do it with some patience, elbow grease, and planning.

 

[8 perf]

and lest we not forget the details, just about every store bought model kit is styrene. So don't throw 'em away if you don't build 'em.

and some one above mentioned CD cases. Definitely NOT styrene. Will crack and break very easily before it bends.

 

[T2SF]

CD = acrylic

Styrene is also used in vacuum forming.

And you can buy styrene with molded patterns, like shingles or bricks, different scales.

Good book I just bought, http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/Book.htm

I haven't worked with it yet but the models people have built with it look amazing!

 

[Darth Lars]

The type of styrene used for vacu-forming is often HiPS - High Impact Polystyrene, which has some rubber content that makes it more durable, because it is more bendable at room temperature.
You can cut HiPS with shears. Pure polystyrene can not be.

I have got a special knife for cutting styrene with the score-and-snap method. It has an inverted blade with a hook that I pull towards me when cutting. OLFA brand. I got it where I got my styrene ... at a school supply store actually, so I can not give any more useful info.