Styrene Thicknesses

[tybrenis]

As many of you may know, I am building a vacuum former (http://thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2801). I am about to buy some styrene sheet for vacuum forming, but I want to know how the thicknesses compare first.

You can get a lot of .020 styrene for cheap. So cheap that I question if it is sickeningly thin. I do not have any experience with different thicknesses of it, so perhaps someone that knows could provide some examples, ie a 2 liter soda bottle uses .030 plastic etc., I have no clue. If you could provide a measurement in millimeters thats cool too.

I just want to know what to order for vvarious applications. I want to order some tonight or tomorrow, so quick help is appreciated.

EDIT: basically, I just want to know how rigid 0.020 styrene is compared to so 0.060. I want something that will hold itself up, but will be still very cheap and easily formed.

Thanks guys!

[Cevinzol]

Styrene is boring. Use Kydex (http://www.kydex.com/index.asp), it come in colors and textures.

[tybrenis]

That's all well and good, but what thickness??

[Aero]

Well, plexi is pretty cheap and I've seen it used for forming. I would guess something like 1/8" would be good. Not sure though.

[tybrenis]

Thanks guys,

I have been told 0.06 is good for starting with. I am going to order a big ol' sheet of that soon from US Plastics. I just finished building the vacuum former, pics soon.

[crazybillybob]

Tyb,

My R2 Skins are made out of .04" Styrene. If your going to form something more then 2-3" I'd go with something thicker then .02, as you pull the plastic down the high corners and surfaces get thinner, so becareful. But I'd try some.02 if it's cheap, just so you know how far you can pull it!

Crazybillybob

[tybrenis]

Thanks CBB!

Apparently my dad uses it all the time for displays and stuff at work (who knew, right?). He's going to bring me home a little ring of all the thicknesses. I figure .04 is a good place to start.