Where to buy plastic material

[bonmotwang]

Receiving my desktop cnc in two weeks. Need to get some plastic material to start testing. Any suggestions for getting plastic blocks?
Of course I will use foam first.

[bobsch]

You didn't specify what kind of plastic, but here's a supplier that's been mentioned around here several times-- Your Source For Plastic Sheet, Slab, Rod and Tube. 866-832-9315

[bonmotwang]

Thanks. Truly green in CNC, planning parts for robotics. Maybe ABS. Need to do homework on materials.

[bonmotwang]

Just looked at the price, wow. it is nothing for prototyping.

[RicknBeachcrest]

Check these guys out.

I've bought aluminum from them. Real fast shipment. They also sell plastic.

Online Metal Store | Small Quantity Metal Orders | Metal Cutting, Sales & Shipping | Buy Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Stainless | Metal Product Guides at OnlineMetals.com

[DonFrambach]

Have you considered machinable wax? Here's a supplier: Machinable Wax

[sirkossorg]

If you don't need big, full sheets, some plastics suppliers will sell you their scrap by the pound. That's how I get mine, and it's so cheap that I've been able to experiment with different types, colors, and thicknesses of acrylics that I never would have otherwise. I usually use 15" to 24" pieces. If that's big enough, you might call your local places to see.

[atwooddon]

Originally Posted by bonmotwang Receiving my desktop cnc in two weeks. Need to get some plastic material to start testing. Any suggestions for getting plastic blocks? Of course I will use foam first.

I recently tried using Trex (recycled material used for decks/patios) and it machines great. It is very expensive to purchase but if you can find scraps from a contractor or buddy building a deck it works great.

Don

[bonmotwang]

Originally Posted by sirkossorg If you don't need big, full sheets, some plastics suppliers will sell you their scrap by the pound. That's how I get mine, and it's so cheap that I've been able to experiment with different types, colors, and thicknesses of acrylics that I never would have otherwise. I usually use 15" to 24" pieces. If that's big enough, you might call your local places to see.

Thanks, that's a better solution for my prototyping purposes.

[bonmotwang]

Originally Posted by DonFrambach Have you considered machinable wax? Here's a supplier: Machinable Wax

Great and thanks, I got 10 blocks ordered.

[LaughingLarry]

Originally Posted by sirkossorg If you don't need big, full sheets, some plastics suppliers will sell you their scrap by the pound. That's how I get mine, and it's so cheap that I've been able to experiment with different types, colors, and thicknesses of acrylics that I never would have otherwise. I usually use 15" to 24" pieces. If that's big enough, you might call your local places to see.

Great source for cut pieces at: High-Tech Plastics
They have weird remnants of lots of different plastics in little pieces. Did it all online, took about 3 - 4 days to get. Great email communication, but no phone.

[Harpye]

Tech polymeres are not that cheap as you would possibly assume..

About the prices ...

from cheaper to more expensive
-> choose by application....

Styrene resine plates / hobby glass
-sharp mill and a bit of coolant low pass depth

Polyurethane modelling board ( Uriol ; Rakutool etc)
- is to be cut like balsa - but creates a lot of dust

Polycarbonate & PVC
-Good to work with at moderate passes and speeds

Polyacetal / POM -
-Good to work with at moderate passes and speeds not to be glued


PBT - good to cut but if reinforced the glass will eat the bit a bit
- has to be tempered before

Polyamide - good to cut but if reinforced the glass will eat the bit a bit
- has to be tempered before

PTFE - smooth material - not easy to work with - dust can be poisenous if inhalated or consumed

PEK / PEEK - poly ether ketone - horrible expensive but high temperature reistant

For visual and handling prototypes not field parts I would go for 700 to 800 gram/ DM^3 Uriol or Rakutool -price is around 4 to 5 Euro / dm^3


There are many more, but those are just the materials I use