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Gotta start somewhere my friend.
Signwriters are your best bet for free acrylic (at least that's what I've found) 3.5mm is the best for scales as 5mm is too thick and too hard to thin down.

There is plenty of info on making scales in the WIKI, Bob - that's how I learned.
Acrylic is cheap (free sometimes) and easy enough to work with - and if you stuff it up it doesn't matter.
Hope it...

No No No .... send it to me immediately for proper disposal ....... :rofl2:
Looks like a great find - give it the respect it deserves.