where to buy plexiglass

[hapa mamma]

Anyone know where I can buy plexiglass for my setup? Home depot? Anywhere other than online? Thanks!

[gjl711]

Usually your local glass supplier has all kinds of plastics as well though I have seen thin stuff at the Depot. What are you using it for? There might be a better plastic available for your application.

[hapa mamma]

I usually take pics of my son (9 months). I have a white muslin backdrop, but because he's crawling, it often bunches up around him. I thought I could put a piece of plexiglass over the muslin on the ground to keep it in place. Would something else work better?

[gjl711]

I usually take pics of my son (9 months). I have a white muslin backdrop, but because he's crawling, it often bunches up around him. I thought I could put a piece of plexiglass over the muslin on the ground to keep it in place. Would something else work better? Plexi is good for that application but plexi is brittle and cracks easily. Try Lexan, it is much more tolerant of abuse and a bit more flexible.

[hapa mamma]

okay, where can I purchase it? Do I need to order it online?

[gjl711]

okay, where can I purchase it? Do I need to order it online?
I would look at your Home Depot first. I have seen sheets of Plexi there before. It they do not have any, look in the yellow pages under glass supply or glass repair. Lastly, maybe your local art supply store has it as well.

[SkipD]

Look in your phone book (Yellow Pages) for the heading "Plastics - Rods, Tubes, Sheets, Etc.". It's after Pizza.

[TMR Design]

You can buy sheets of either plexiglass or lexan at home depot but you are limited to the sizes thay have. I believe you can get either in 4' x 4' or 4' x 6' pieces. Anything larger and you need to go to a glass and plactics place or sometimes the companies that make plexiglass signs will have scrap.

[Mikester]

Hi, I just wanted to add this. I while back I was doing some research and found a suggestion to use the plastic "tub surround" material instead of plexiglass. It works great. It is easier to clean than plexiglass and cost MUCH less. It also is lighter. It is also sold had home depot.

[TMR Design]

Hi, I just wanted to add this. I while back I was doing some research and found a suggestion to use the plastic "tub surround" material instead of plexiglass. It works great. It is easier to clean than plexiglass and cost MUCH less. It also is lighter. It is also sold had home depot.

Are you referring to the frosted plastic used in sliding shower doors?

[brunester]

theres a chain in cali that sells that kinda stuff. its called "Tap Plastics" try looking them up, they also do custom cutting and stuff

[nycgrip]

i would go with some thing non reflective, to avoid kicks off flash and lights. if you can find something sanded or brushed

[Gordeez]

Home Depot. Has them cheap. I bought some for my Fish tank.

[gjl711]

i would go with some thing non reflective, to avoid kicks off flash and lights. if you can find something sanded or brushed
Plexi or Laxan is real easy to make frosted and non-reflective by wet sanding with very fine grit paper. 400 grit will give a very matte finish and 600 will give a more frosted appearance. It wont look too frosted while wet but let it dry and the frosted look pops out.

[hard12find]

Lexan is more impact resistant than Plexi...however will scratch and scuff easier...Jim

[dicky109]

I usually take pics of my son (9 months). I have a white muslin backdrop, but because he's crawling, it often bunches up around him.Just be careful as this stuff comes with sharp edges & corners on which he could easily get cut. Before using it, make sure to sand those edges round to avoid that.

[Mikester]

Hi Robert. No, not what is used for the doors. Some people put this plastic stuff around their tub. It is made out of acrilic i think. Where I am it is less than 1/3 the price of plexi. If you ask home depot they will show you some. Comes in all kinds of colours and of course white.

[gjl711]

Hi Robert. No, not what is used for the doors. Some people put this plastic stuff around their tub. It is made out of acrilic i think. Where I am it is less than 1/3 the price of plexi. If you ask home depot they will show you some. Comes in all kinds of colors and of course white. There is another material thats a bit easier to work with. I use it for my projection screen and a 4x8 sheet cost me only $14 at Menard's. It is in the kitchen area where the counter tops are. I believe it's some type of poly-styrene but it is durable as heck, as a 4x8 sheet can be rolled up into a tube about 8" in diameter. It comes as one side is glossy white, the other is textured matte. I believe it is used for counter tops but might be the same material used for tubs as well.

[TMR Design]

There is another material thats a bit easier to work with. I use it for my projection screen and a 4x8 sheet cost me only $14 at Menard's. It is in the kitchen area where the counter tops are. I believe it's some type of poly-styrene but it is durable as heck, as a 4x8 sheet can be rolled up into a tube about 8" in diameter. It comes as one side is glossy white, the other is textured matte. I believe it is used for counter tops but might be the same material used for tubs as well.

You're talking about something other than formica right?

[gjl711]

You're talking about something other than formica right?
Yes, it is in the same department as the counter tops, but this material is not Formica and is quite flexible as and I can roll up a 4x8 sheet into a tube about a foot in diameter. I use a sheet as my projection screen as I am cheep and don’t want to spring the $300 for a decent projection screen. I have also used it for a light box as well. Next time I go to Menard’s I’ll see if I can identify the material by the label.

[johnnybfan]

Plex is nice but can be pretty pricey. If you're going to stress it at all I'd recommend 1/4" thick. It will hold up much better than the thin stuff. And yes, it is easy to frost it if you want. A little sandpaper and some sweat will take care of it for you.

[JSimonian]

I recently bought a wide variety of colored plexiglass to use as bases to photograph rings and other jewelry. I went to a commercial sign shop in Orange, CA that also sells to the public. I only needed fairly small pieces (under 20"x20"), so I went to their "cut bin" and bought about 9 pieces at a dollar per pound. Total was 6 pounds.

If you need more info PM me and I'll point you there, if you're in the O.C. area.

J.Simonian