posted
OK, I have a total idiots question, what do you technically call the "colored Lexan" looking stuff that signs are made of, mostly indoor, Is it called PVC? and how do you cut it?, keep scoring it, I'm almost embaressed to ask, but just never used it, how else will I know?
------------------ Ron Blake Rapid Signs Pittsfield, MA Spiccoli44@aol.com
Posts: 25 | From: Pittsfield, MA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
If it is soft, it is as Pat suggests...Komatex (brand name) or if it super smooth it is acrylic. PVC (komatex) is very easily cut with scroll, band, are other cutting equipment..just be careful...it tends to melt a bit!
Hope that helps!
------------------ Robert Beverly Dreamweaver Studios Arlington, Texas
You can cut the thin Komatex with a large size snap blade knife. If you use the color sheets of this material outdoors, it will fade, warp and get pot holes in it.
You can sand it and paint it, or cover it with vinyl to protect it from the sun.
One time we loaded some in the truck and it was hanging over the tail gate with the hot sun shine and it permanently warped every sheet...lost several sheets due to stupidity.
The thick sheets, like 1/2 inch thick (13mm) can be cut wih a sabre saw. I also run mine through the radial arm saw. And they router just great, especially a computer router.
Hope this helps.
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA Stop in and visit a while! 309-828-7110 signman@davesworld.net Raptorman or Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
a question is only stupid if you know the answer and ask it anyway it sounds like either what we call perspex or acrylic sheet and if it is the product we use its cut on a bench saw same as timber it is quite brittle so use the right blade for plastics
------------------ Ian Wilson Signmaker Toowoomba City Council Cnr Anzac Ave & Stephen st Toowoomba Queensland Australia may all your toubles be little ones The man that never make a mistake never makes anything
Posts: 656 | From: Toowoomba Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Isn't komatex an expanded pvc. It really don't resemble lexan very much. I would rather think he is discribing acrylic or plexiglass. You can pretty much tell the difference by trying to stick a knofe through it. If it appears that a knife would penetrate it fairly easily it is probably expanded pvc. Sintra also makes one. Bronzeo
------------------ Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801
Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
If it's PVC, you'll have a pretty easy time. A series of scores will actually cut clean through. If it's a hard plastic (acrylic/plexi) you still cut it by scoring, but its much too hard to score clean through. You'll need to 'snap' the cut after its well scored to get a clean break. Best done over the edge of a table. That's a little dicey though, better to cut with a saw if you've got one.
posted
One of my sample signs says: "he who asks is a fool for five minutes. He who doesn't remains a fool forever." I got that from a buddy at cdug! Ok listen Like bronz said, its lexan isnt pvc. & Komatek is what I regularly use but make sure you use a saw with very little teeth cause it DOES melt. (also cut it at slow speed) I've seen a 1/2" sheet melt on a cnc router. SIntra seems to melt less, but in my part of the world its more expensive.
------------------ Marcano-Welch Signs Luquillo, Puerto Rico 787-889-6608
Posts: 2287 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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