Lexan in Australia

[Gopherboy]

Hi all,


Well, my control panel (stand-alone) is underway and things are looking well. I have now decided, however that some CP art and a lexan overlay is in order.

Problem is, I am not entirely sure where I can get some! My panel is shaped a bit like Lusid's so I need somewhere that will cut the sheet to the right shape as well.

Not that I am lazy - just that I am not really the handiest handyman and have no tools.


If there is anyone from oz out there reading these forums then please help!

thanks,

Phill.

[cdbrown]

Phill,

Good to see another Aussie havin' a crack.  Unfortunately I haven't started looking for these materials yet.  Have you tried some of the hardware stores, some of the people at the trade counter can usually point you at a supplier.

I found this link http://www.gepolymerland.com.au/datasheets/lexan.html by doing a search on http://www.anzwers.com.au and a lot more popped up.

Cheers
-cdbrown

[Gopherboy]

Yeah - us aussies hate being outdone be americans!!!    

Seriously - I will have a decent look in Bunnings next time I go (though it will be only for that,) and see what I can see. My main concern is to have somewhere that will cut it for me. As mentioned I have few tools and I doubt cutting it with a jigsaw would produce the best results. I could probably borrow one from someone or go around to use it but we will see.

I suppose I still need to make up some artwork and figure out where I can borrow a router from! That should keep me busy enough!

thanks,

p.
 

[cdbrown]

GopherBoy,

Bunnings cut wood, maybe they also cut other things?  Not really sure.  No harm in asking, perhaps some glass/window blokes might have some contacts.

*shrug*

[Brax]

Don't forget.... Lexan is a brandname.

Polycarbonate is the actual material.

Another brandname that is popular around here is Lucite Tuf. You could try searching for that as well.

[OzStick]

Hi Gopherboy,

Don't be surprised if Bunnings can't help - you may be better approaching a large format/industrial printer and enquire about the types of polycarbonate materials they have.

I went through a similar process when looking for a suitable material to use for our overlays and I ended up going to this company: www.aawade.com.au . I'm not saying you should use them but at least it gives you another "avenue of attack".

When searching for Lexan I went thru the website mentioned by cdbrown and was contacted by a salesperson who then referred me to a company called Cadillac Plastics, who are apparently distributors for Lexan products. I don't have any contact details for them but AFAIK they are still around and would be worthwhile contacting.

As an aside to Lexan, Perspex or Lucite, have you considered having your artwork laminated then using an industrial type adhesive to fix it to your panel? Just another idea!

Feel free to drop me a line if you think I can be of any more help.

Cheers,
ChrisW

[cdbrown]

Chris - been a long time since you were around - good to hear from you.

I have heard of cadillac plastics and may actually have their business card and may have a few others - but it would be at home so will report back maybe Sunday but more likely Monday.   They will be Perth contacts though.

Cheers
-cdbrown

[PoDunkMoFo]

Don't know if this helps but... You could cut the lexan close to the size of your CP and then use a flush trim bit (with a bearing on top) to match it up perfectly with your panel.

[Silverwind]

Don't forget.... Lexan is a brandname.

Polycarbonate is the actual material.

Another brandname that is popular around here is Lucite Tuf. You could try searching for that as well.

Right... I was at homedepot and they had Lexan and also Crystallite (sp?)  They were both grouped together.. looked fairly similar.. but the lexan was more expensive...  they also had standard plexiglass which was about half the cost of the others..

[cdbrown]

Forgot to check the stack of business cards on the weekend.  Hopefully will remember to do so tomorrow night and report back on Wednesday - unless you've already got a source.

Cheers
-cdbrown

[Gopherboy]

Thanks all.

I still haven't gotten the time to go to Bunnings - I work in the city and take public transport home so when I get there it is like 7pm and all I want to do is flop on the couch!

I will try to get there some time this week but in the mean time, I have sent an e-mail (did that yesterday) but no reply yet. Might give them a call if I get some time today.

Chris - thanks for the idea. In terms of having art work laminated, is it printed on the underside of some kind of hard wearing, clear material or is it printed on paper and covered in a sort of clear contact?

Also - if I was to go that route, then I would need some t-moulding to do the edges - anyone have any ideas where to get this? I saw some in Bunnings last time I was there but it was one size (too big!) and a rather hard plastic that did not feel nice at all. I was thinking that the t-molding site would be great but they operate in inches (for width) and I am not sure how they would feel about sending over only 3 metres of the stuff, which is a fairly paltry sale to them.


Thanks again!

gb.