Thread: Plexiglass/Lexan Scales

Originally Posted by Geezer

Just a comment about most thermoplastics...plex, etc. If you heat the surface up buffing them, they may crack or break later with no pressure or just a sudden temperature change. Alcohol can change the surface temperature and bing gone. The reason is that the plastic gets internal stress because the surface has a different hardness after heating and the interior does not.
Play with the plastic a bit before you commit to a set of scales. Buff the snot out of a piece and see what happens when alcohol or cold is applied.
Be real careful drilling, The plastic loves to crawl up your drill bit! Hold it to the table with care.
Have fun!
~Richard

Glass is the same Richard. If you use heat to make things out of it (beads, figurines, that sort of thing) you have to slowly anneal it to even up the stress or else it just shatters at a later date.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Glass is the same Richard. If you use heat to make things out of it (beads, figurines, that sort of thing) you have to slowly anneal it to even up the stress or else it just shatters at a later date. Regards, Neil

Thanks Niel, Here is annealing information for Plexiglas Acrylic Plastic:
annealing-plexiglass.
Plastic likes to absorb moisture so watch the process and do not allow the plastic to bubble. Don't ask!I ruined a nice pair of scales that way.
~Richard

I can't speak about the process, longevity or whether it's 'right' to use acrylics and plastics, but I think aesthetically, it works...

I like the contrast of old things made new and new things that are made to look old, so for me it works..

Henry Sears & Sons, faux frameback with blue acrylic...

Click the image for more pics...

Originally Posted by unit

Honestly, I agree. I did one (less ancient) recently on request. I really don't care for it....but you know how it is (opinions and belly buttons...)

Attachment 135872

While it may scratch easily and isn't nearly as classy as many of the others out there, I must say, that razor shaves as well as anything I've ever used.

Originally Posted by Mackdaknyfe

While it may scratch easily and isn't nearly as classy as many of the others out there, I must say, that razor shaves as well as anything I've ever used.

Good to see you here, friend. I hope you are doing well and enjoy that razor.