Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Painting & Modelling => Topic started by: fred. on 15 July 2016, 11:07:54 AM

Title: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: fred. on 15 July 2016, 11:07:54 AM
I recently had to re-glaze the shed window, which required acrylic sheet. But I could only get a 4'x2' sheet, which was twice what I needed for the shed window. (I feel that fsn would have managed a 4 paragraph intro to this, some of you may be sad that I only managed 2 sentences, others will be pleased  ;) )

So I have a nice 2'x2' sheet of 2mm acrylic sheet - and I'm wondering if I could use if for a hobby project? Preferably one that takes advantage of it being clear, as I have plenty of plastic card for basic building purposes.
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: toxicpixie on 15 July 2016, 11:43:21 AM
Bases for single figures where you want the underlying terrain to show through - eg D&D or similar?

I wanted some for a clear sheet of ice for a Frostgrave scenario but couldn't find any at a reasonable price!
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Shedman on 15 July 2016, 11:55:40 AM
Spinning Helicopter blades?

From my blog http://twomarshals.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/fwc-paxarc-aid-arrives-at-newsofthe.html (http://twomarshals.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/fwc-paxarc-aid-arrives-at-newsofthe.html)

(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb456/alanmillicheap/FWC/P1010535.jpg)
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: fred. on 15 July 2016, 11:56:39 AM
Quote from: toxicpixie on 15 July 2016, 11:43:21 AM
Bases for single figures where you want the underlying terrain to show through - eg D&D or similar?
Good idea - but I don't do much skirmish gaming - and if I was going with clear bases, I'd want circles which I have no idea how to cut en-masse.


Quote from: toxicpixie on 15 July 2016, 11:43:21 AM
I wanted some for a clear sheet of ice for a Frostgrave scenario but couldn't find any at a reasonable price!

Interesting idea - and yes its %^&* expensive stuff!

I'd wondered about some sort of cloud island idea?
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: fred. on 15 July 2016, 11:57:22 AM
Quote from: Shedman on 15 July 2016, 11:55:40 AM
Spinning Helicopter blades?

From my blog http://twomarshals.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/fwc-paxarc-aid-arrives-at-newsofthe.html (http://twomarshals.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/fwc-paxarc-aid-arrives-at-newsofthe.html)


Nice - its probably a bit thick for that - and how do you cut the circles?
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: toxicpixie on 15 July 2016, 11:59:17 AM
Ah, yeah - circle bases are a sod. Probably easier to buy if you actually wanted them :D

Cloud island - that might be quite cool... I'd be tempted by MDF or similar with cotton wool over it though, and keep the acrylic! Force fields/teleport gates/laser fences/portals? Either as is, or with a little bit of swirly paint across?
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Shedman on 15 July 2016, 01:04:52 PM
Quote from: fred. on 15 July 2016, 11:57:22 AM
Nice - its probably a bit thick for that - and how do you cut the circles?

you are probably right - 2mm is a bit thick

I bought a couple of circle cutters from Hobbycraft

http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/papercraft/papercraft-tools/craft-punches?filter=PUNCHTYPE~Circle/&followsearch=9449

Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Wulf on 15 July 2016, 01:13:25 PM
I have a couple of those and they'll barely cut through cardboard, never mind acrylic...
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: FierceKitty on 15 July 2016, 01:21:17 PM
I don't know if it's relevant, but you can cut glass with scissors if you do it under water to deaden the vibrations that normally cause cracks. The scissors are never the same afterwards, be warned.
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: fsn on 15 July 2016, 01:29:30 PM
Under what set of circumstances did you come by that nugget of useful information?  :-\
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: FierceKitty on 15 July 2016, 01:37:48 PM
Some sort of nerd-in-training kiddies' science book.
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Wulf on 15 July 2016, 01:41:23 PM
I saw it on the telly once. Also very handy for snipping resin parts off sprues.
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Techno on 15 July 2016, 03:00:49 PM
That's not the sort of information we need on this eminently sensible forum.  :o

You know that's the sort of thing I'd try, and end up in casualty with severe lacerations.

Cheers - Phil (where are the bandages ?) L.
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: FierceKitty on 15 July 2016, 03:06:34 PM
It sounds a bit as if you'd accidentally open a vein putting on your socks, however. First there was Bluebottle, then there was Kenny, and now....
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Techno on 15 July 2016, 03:54:58 PM
There's the idiot who STILL wants to try the experiment with the microwave, and the recently extinguished candle.

That's on my bucket list.  :D

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Glorfindel on 15 July 2016, 04:39:54 PM
I wonder if this stuff is solid enough to use as a base for terrain ?   The reason
I ask is that I am on the hunt for a source of material with similar properties to
2mm thick HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene Sheeting aka Plasticard).   This sort
of thing :

http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/080-sheet-styrene.html (http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/080-sheet-styrene.html)


I can't help thinking that there are similar materials out there and am
wondering if acrylic sheet would do the job ?



Phil
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Steve J on 15 July 2016, 05:11:21 PM
Are you sure it was acrylic, as shed windows etc are normally made from polycarbonate as they are shatter proof and much more UV stable?
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: fred. on 15 July 2016, 05:20:29 PM
It would work for terrain basing, as long as the terrain is not too big, as it has some flex to it. But it's probably more expensive than plastic card.

I have seen it mentioned that sign writers often have off cuts of various materials that would work for basing.

Quote from: Steve J on 15 July 2016, 05:11:21 PM
Are you sure it was acrylic, as shed windows etc are normally made from polycarbonate as they are shatter proof and much more UV stable?
You may well be right, I'd have to go and check.

I probably assumed it was acrylic as that is what clear plastic rod is made from.
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Steve J on 15 July 2016, 07:01:58 PM
If it desolves with 'norma'l plastic glue, then it will be acrylic. If not, more than likely polycarbonate.
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: paulr on 15 July 2016, 10:06:29 PM
Signwriter supply companies sell plastic card (styrene) in very large sheets, from memory 1.2mx1.6m

Cost here is the equivalent of UKP20. I use it for all my basing and terrain bases, a sheet typically lasts me around a year
Title: Re: 2mm clear acrylic sheet
Post by: Glorfindel on 16 July 2016, 09:00:08 AM
>>Signwriter supply companies sell plastic card (styrene) in very large sheets, from memory 1.2mx1.6m

Thank for the good idea - much appreciated.   Off to Google !

Cheers,

Phil