Plexiglas anyone?

[new2woodwrk]

I recently purchased a 4'x8' sheet of plexiglas to fix some broken picture glass and now I'm wondering if I can get any more use out of the remains of the sheet.

Does any use plexiglas for anything?

In framed items or other?

The sheet I have is very thin - .30 mil - but I also have 1/8" pieces I found someone had thrown in the trash - not for framed items - yeah, I dumpster dive for opportunities LOL

Thanks as always in advance

[JimErn]

You can use Plexiglas as a back drop to a stack of cuttings that form a 3-d picture, and then an led or two at the base lights it up nicely.

You will get all kinds of tips on Plexiglas, I find a fine tooth blade at a slow to moderate speed will cut it and not have it melt back together behind the blade.

Some use a torch to smooth the edges, but I find it way easier to wrap a thin paperback book with sheet sandpaper, and the book will curve over the edge as you sand.  I do this on Harley windshields when I cut them down, and the end result is great.

[munzieb]

I have used 1/8" plexiglas sheets for several projects including lamp shades (amber) and as a backing for welcome pineapples(yellow). It cuts well with a 70 tooth table saw blade but does leave a lot of dust. A fine, slow scroll saw works well also. It's important to leave the adhesive protective paper when cutting. It great for marking also. When building the lampshades, I remove one side to allow for a filter/parchment paper look. 

[fredfret]

I have a zero clearance table on my saw from plexiglass,  I also use it for tracing patterns so I can see the grain 

[OCtoolguy]

Try Lexan. It is far better than Plexiglass.

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I cut plexi and acrylic mirrors and colored sheets many times. There is different types of so called Plexiglass which is a brand name. Some are harder than others and crack easier. Need to be careful there. Again MY opinion. 

[Phantom Scroller]

Make some key rings with valentine stuff on or football emblems etc.

[Phantom Scroller]

[new2woodwrk]

1 hour ago, octoolguy said:

Try Lexan. It is far better than Plexiglass.

 

Also more expensive  and the 1/8" was free! The same sheet that cost me $52 would have cost me $350 for lexan - shipping charges alone would have been $200!

[munzieb]

For what it's worth, I've used these guys in the past with good results. Pricing depends on what your project is worth.

https://www.ebay.com/str/popdisplays/Colored-Plexiglass-Acrylic/_i.html?_pgn=4&_storecat=12466151

 

[OCtoolguy]

4 hours ago, new2woodwrk said:

Also more expensive  and the 1/8" was free! The same sheet that cost me $52 would have cost me $350 for lexan - shipping charges alone would have been $200!

I just buy it at Lowes and they cut it no charge. I made screen door covers for our 5th wheel when we were on the road. Let the sun in but kept the cold out.

[new2woodwrk]

27 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

I just buy it at Lowes and they cut it no charge. I made screen door covers for our 5th wheel when we were on the road. Let the sun in but kept the cold out.

My lowes and HD do not cut anything anymore - they both stopped cutting ply wood sheets, metal tubes and anything else.

[new2woodwrk]

3 hours ago, munzieb said:

For what it's worth, I've used these guys in the past with good results. Pricing depends on what your project is worth.

https://www.ebay.com/str/popdisplays/Colored-Plexiglass-Acrylic/_i.html?_pgn=4&_storecat=12466151

 

Thanks @munzieb - problem is shipping!

I bought a 4'x8' sheet of thin plexiglass. When you get into the thicker sheets, the shipping costs become outrageous because you can not ship the items bu normal delivery companies such as ups, dhl etc.

The 2 pieces I needed to repairs - one was 36" x 24", the other was 42 x 59 and there in lies the problem. Anything over certain dimension incurs significant shipping charges - if the size is within confines, they call it an "oversize" charge. If it is outside the confines, it gets shipped by carrier which is where the price gets prohibitive.

But thx for the link, I'll save it for later

[OCtoolguy]

27 minutes ago, new2woodwrk said:

Thanks @munzieb - problem is shipping!

I bought a 4'x8' sheet of thin plexiglass. When you get into the thicker sheets, the shipping costs become outrageous because you can not ship the items bu normal delivery companies such as ups, dhl etc.

The 2 pieces I needed to repairs - one was 36" x 24", the other was 42 x 59 and there in lies the problem. Anything over certain dimension incurs significant shipping charges - if the size is within confines, they call it an "oversize" charge. If it is outside the confines, it gets shipped by carrier which is where the price gets prohibitive.

But thx for the link, I'll save it for later

I take it you're not close to a Lowe's?

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Lowes is downsizing. They are closing 52 stores. I believe Home Depot is finally having an impact on them. May want to watch out for close out sales. I do not have the list if it is out yet.  

Jes to answer your original question yes there are many uses and as you see plenty of people use it for other projects. I use clear alot for picture frames. I used some for small projects where clear is important but colored is more useful in what I do. Yes again for size problems and that is something you alone have to work out. We all live in different areas. But for smaller pieces I can give you good links. That link that ebay was given I bet those people buy from the big distributors and just cut them down. Home Depot has many different precut sizes available to buy. Lowes not so much. 

Edited January 7, 2020 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[new2woodwrk]

11 hours ago, octoolguy said:

I take it you're not close to a Lowe's?

 

Both lowes and HD are 4 blocks away from me - both are probably the 2 worst run box stores you've ever been to!

Crappy Customer service - I've complained to corporate several times about HD - they sent me a $25 gift card for my trouble LOL - I still have it since I abhor that store

Not sure about others areas, but here when you go into a box store you better know what you want and are looking for because the floor help is probably wandering around looking for something they know nothing about

Here's an example of the HD customer service - the floor people are assigned to a dept. They are trained in product knowledge for that department. Once they are on the floor, they are told to greet everyone they see and ask to help them.  If the customer wants something in another dept. they are told to help them, even if the floor person knows nothing about that dept.

How do I know this? I worked part time for HD just prior to the Hurricane to get out of the house a few days. I was let go because while I was helping a customer in a dept I knew nothing about (plumbing) I didn't say hello to one person and that person happened to be the district mgr - LOL - I guess saying hello to customers was more important than helping them.

Needless to say, I avoid HD when ever possible. They recently stopped cutting all wood - they have a radial saw and panel saw sitting there collecting dust and won't cut anything!

And don't get me started on Lowes - here we're lucky to get a register open let alone someone to help.

And cut something?

Yeah right - I waited almost an hour several weeks ago just to get a 4x8 sheet of plywood ripped in half - they kept saying "one minute sir", 10 mins later - "Just another minute sir", 10 mins later "Almost done sir", 30 mins later - "Sir? where did he go?"

 

 

Edited January 7, 2020 by new2woodwrk

[Phantom Scroller]

I buy mine from a supplier and buy their off cuts for extra nothing but I did notice a skip full outside of small off cuts which would do for the key ring fobs I'll ask next time I go. Roly

[jerry1939]

Surprised to see the negative comments about Lowes.  We have  one 15 minutes from us, in Coralville, Iowa.  A joy to shop there.  Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable people that ask if you need help.  Delivery (& installation) on appliances is excellent.  Never more than 2 or 3 people might be ahead of you at check out.  10% military discount on everything in the store, 365 days a year.

Don't know if they still use their panel saw. Only negative was that the blade isn't quite 90 degrees to the wood. Probably intentional to try and get you to buy a table saw. If you are friendly & BS with the operator, they will probably give you 1 or 2 cuts at no charge.

jerry

[OCtoolguy]

4 hours ago, new2woodwrk said:

Both lowes and HD are 4 blocks away from me - both are probably the 2 worst run box stores you've ever been to!

Crappy Customer service - I've complained to corporate several times about HD - they sent me a $25 gift card for my trouble LOL - I still have it since I abhor that store

Not sure about others areas, but here when you go into a box store you better know what you want and are looking for because the floor help is probably wandering around looking for something they know nothing about

Here's an example of the HD customer service - the floor people are assigned to a dept. They are trained in product knowledge for that department. Once they are on the floor, they are told to greet everyone they see and ask to help them.  If the customer wants something in another dept. they are told to help them, even if the floor person knows nothing about that dept.

How do I know this? I worked part time for HD just prior to the Hurricane to get out of the house a few days. I was let go because while I was helping a customer in a dept I knew nothing about (plumbing) I didn't say hello to one person and that person happened to be the district mgr - LOL - I guess saying hello to customers was more important than helping them.

Needless to say, I avoid HD when ever possible. They recently stopped cutting all wood - they have a radial saw and panel saw sitting there collecting dust and won't cut anything!

And don't get me started on Lowes - here we're lucky to get a register open let alone someone to help.

And cut something?

Yeah right - I waited almost an hour several weeks ago just to get a 4x8 sheet of plywood ripped in half - they kept saying "one minute sir", 10 mins later - "Just another minute sir", 10 mins later "Almost done sir", 30 mins later - "Sir? where did he go?"

 

 

I'm really sorry to hear that. Where I live, and many of the places I've been, I've had nothing but great experiences with one or both of these stores. My closest friend worked in a couple of H/D stores and related many heartwarming stories that he experienced. It has to have something to do with your location and the shortage of good well intentioned people to manage those stores. Bad attitudes are very difficult to overcome and our country has become home to some of the worst. I'm truly sad to hear what you said. A sad sign of the times we live in. 

[spirithorse]

Unfortunately, this topic has changed from WHAT CAN new2woodwrk do with what he has to
where to purchase, etc.

I think the plexi would be useful for projects like lanterns that have 4 panels with lighting inside.
Small nightlights with the C30 type bulb can also be made with the plexi.

Perhaps some Christmas ornaments or monogram necklaces.

God Bless! Spirithorse

[Rockytime]

I can't let this go. I have 2 HD and Lowe's 15 minutes each side of me. Both are great. HD has the panel saw and cuts my 4X8 plywood into quarters for no charge. OK, I can relax now.

[Woodmaster1]

I used to have an endless supply when my daughter's friends dad worked for a display company. I use to get a truck everytime I ran out at the school shop. I retired and he has retired so no more plastic sheets. I still have a few pieces but the supply is running out.

[lawson56]

I have cut Plexi Glass several time,made a heart, clover,cross,dove,a few logos I did find out one major thing, you have to cut faster than normal,It melts behind ya, 

[Modern Art Studios]

Lawson56, you are using MC plastic. It has a lower melting point than GP Plexiglas. You don't need special blades for GP Plex. 

GP, or general purpose , will have red lettering on the masking paper. MC is blue lettering. 

[teachnlearn]

Make clear box piggy banks to hide your money. RJF