Excellent source of free plastic (akin plasticard) for smaller components

[cbeckett]

Our local video shop has shut down. In the skip are "n" DVD cases - the rubbery sort, not crystal like CD cases - guess who took a dozen to experiment with, but will be getting more...?.

The fronts and backs yield 1mm-ish thick by 6"x4" usable plastic.

I've been experimenting, making a couple of doors.

Very much like plasticard to cut and bend. Won't take pencil or biro markups, but a scalpel is fine.

Doesn't "snap" like plasticard; you have to cut right through, so a little more patience needed.

Scores better than plasticard for plank effects etc (on doors in my case)

Glues OK with superglue.

WHY I've not thought of scrounging this stuff before, I don't know. I'm sure others have used it, but it was eureka moment for me...

HAVEN'T TRIED painting it yet - will probably need a good wash for waxy residue, sandpapering and a primer.l

Hope this tip is of use!

 

[stockers]

A novel use for scrap - nicely done.

 

[cbeckett]

Well, it does "snap" if you score it deep enough, and it paints up very well without any preparation. Does take biro mark-ups - used a different pen Scrounged another 40 this afternoon - who needs plasticard!

 

[owlpool]

good idea
will try it

 

[stockers]

I dont know Ross - leaves more cash for locos.
Recycling saves the planet! :

 

[cbeckett]

Comes to something when people spend a wad of dosh on Locos etc and then have to scrat around in skips for freebie plastic!!

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I make my own locos (well bash em)! Hard-up old pensioner (cue violins)... seriously, I am not enamoured by any RTR stuff - stock, buildings etc - and prefer to make something unique which has meaning to me. Not decrying the guys who can buy the good stuff; but to me, half the fun, if not more, is making my own stuff!

 

[cbeckett]

Saw the price of an A4 sheet of 1mm plasticard on EBAY OZ..no wonder you got the goodies on offer.!!
I am with you on buildings (mainly their cost if plastic). Resin models costing a bit I can understand, and the work that the seller puts into it, but mass produced stuff....think they are taking the mickey sometimes......

I totally agree. The prices for ready-made/kit buildings are a joke - OK, demand isn't the same as for an Airfix kit car or whatever. but...

Something else - how many photos do you see where the same old buildings turn up time after time? OK, RTR is a quick way of establishing a line - I did it myself years ago, but have gradually got rid of the Piko/Pola stuff - I have a few British Outline Buildings, but heavily modified - and they're years old, when BOB first started production...hence why I like to design (read: throw together) my own creations...

 

[stockers]

Love to see some Chris. We like photos here

 

[gregh]

I always applaud using some 'rejects'. But....

You can probably buy big sheets of styrene if you search around Yellow Pages for Plastic manufacturer or similar. In Sydney I buy 5'x3' sheets of styrene from 'Plastix' and I notice there is a supplier in Perth with Plastix in their name. Anyhow, trying ringing some of the places in the Yellow pages and asking about Styrene.

The sheets above come in 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm thick for around $15 to $18

 

[cbeckett]

Brilliant - nice price - will CERTAINLY be following that lead up!

 

[cbeckett]

Have ordered some new plasticard, but for the mean time, I`m using the CD cases for the Colmans` Factory (Half relief, btw). Very much a work in progress, but the photo shows:

- Plasterers` metal corner strips, (free) bolted for the main construction ($4 for 100 nuts and bolts, loads left over)
- Peg Basket plastic covering (ouch - $10 worth),  tie-wrapped to frame - (ouch again - $4 from Red-Dot for 200)
- Middle upper bit clad, and base coated, with CD cases (free), super-glued
- Doorways - "plastic strip push through type" made from spare sail cloth (free)
- Not fixed yet, but two derricks, using spare railway wheel for pulleys, plasticard leftovers, and rope (elastic, $2 for 2m from Coles)

I can see this model this going to cost me at least $25! - but for a 1m x 0,5m model, I suppose that isn`t too bad