Thread: Polycarbonate?

Can someone please tell me which supplier offers polycarbonate for scales? Thanks.

A cheaper and widely available alternative is Acrylic.
You can find acrylic in all kinds of colors , it is very good material for scales.

why would you use Tumms for scales?

Originally Posted by mainaman

A cheaper and widely available alternative is Acrylic.
You can find acrylic in all kinds of colors , it is very good material for scales.

I actually have acrylic but I heard polycarbonate is stronger.

Polycarb is much stronger, but it is also much more expensive and it is softer and will scratch more easily. Although I havent tried, I'm not sure how well it polishes.
Grant

Acrylic is readily available in countless colors and color mixes. It is also available imitating most natural materials and it polishes very well.
Polycarbonate on the other hand is softer than acrylic but tougher, more flexible and more durable acrylic, some say Polycarbonate is almost indestructible.

However, though polycarbonate will polish smooth to the touch, it will not polish up “glass smooth” like Acrylic… there will always be tiny swirl marks but they are only visible when reflecting light at an angle (they are not scratches).
Unlike Acrylic, hobby quantities of polycarbonate are only available in Black, White, Clear and Bronze (smoked) and this is probably the only other reason it not a popular material for making open razor scales.

So the choice of polycarbonate is one of rugged durability at the expense of a high polish and favored colors.

You will want 1/8 inch (or 0.125 inch) thick sheet as this is the normal thickness for vintage razor scales and that can be had for reasonable prices and sizes if you shop around on eBay.

Try this search.
Polycarbonate on eBay

Here is clear 1/8" x 12 " x 6 "
lexan polycarbonate clear sheet 1/8" x 12 " x 6 " - eBay (item 200511310858 end time Mar-20-11 13:40:38 PDT)

Here is Bronz 1/8" x 16" x 48"
Lexan Polycarbonate Sheet 1/8" x 16" x 48" - Bronze - eBay (item 360317844363 end time Mar-08-11 14:34:53 PST)

Here is Black 1/8" x 24" x 16"
1/8" black lexan polycarbonate makrolon sheet 24" x 16" - eBay (item 110373733631 end time Feb-25-11 06:25:44 PST)

Again, not as widely available as Acrylic but it is excellent if you need a durable material for a few scales… and it’s not an ugly material.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Vancouverdog

Can someone please tell me which supplier offers polycarbonate for scales? Thanks.

Try calling your local Sign shop, or Glass shop, most will have Polycarbonate there and will usually be happy to either give away or sell scraps very cheap...

I would watch carefully of what you are getting. Many people call acrylic the same as polycarbonate. I also seem to remember something about polycarbonate emitting a gas when heated or when in contact with certain solvents so watch your buffing and cleaning, but I could be wrong on that.

I tried polycarbonate once for a wedge/spacer & found it melted as much as it sanded on the belts. Acrylic works much easier.

Thanks guys for all the info. Based on what I am hearing I think I'll stick to acrylic. It's probably cheaper then polycarbonate.