Black and cream plastic sheets

[Zhangliqun]

Looking for some sheets of black and cream plastic with the stiffness of a humbucker or P90 bobbin. Anybody know who might have something like this?

[Possum]

Check McMaster Carr for black, don't think they have cream though........

[Zhangliqun]

I figured cream would be a little harder.

What is the name of the plastic typically used in humbucker and P90 bobbins?

[copperheadroads]

How about the stuff used in vacuum forming

ABS Thermoform Plastic Sheets for Vacuum Forming - Vacuum Form Your Own Prototypes, Packaging, Molds, and Scale Model Parts
I don't think they ABS in cream

[Bruce Johnson]

Search for "engraver materials plastics". There are a bunch of companies that supply colored plastic sheets that are used for making up engraved signs and nameplates.

One place is Johnson Plastics (no relation): Johnson Plastics - Your Premier Distributor of Laser and Rotary Engraving Products and Sublimation Supplies

There are many others.

[John_H]

stewmac has single ply pickguard plastic that you can buy in small sheets.

[David Schwab]

WD Music has black and cream plastic sheets in .060" and .090".

[David King]

You can always "pour your own" using polyurethane resin or epoxy with the appropriate tints added.

[jonson]

You can always "pour your own" using polyurethane resin or epoxy with the appropriate tints added.

Probably as David says the easiest way, but start off with a mold 1% bigger as the finished artical will shrink. Also search Google for High impact polystyrene sheet which is the common one for vacuum forming. There are plenty of USA suppliers and manufacturers and it comes in a range of thicknesses up to 6mm and more if you look hard enough.It is available in a massive range of colours. It works well for scratchplates and one side is normaly gloss and the reverse is matt. Acetone will liquify the surface so with a small press, laminating is fairly easy for fender and gibson style plates and truss rod covers.

[Zhangliqun]

Zombie thread alert -- I take the blame.

Have found some stuff that looks good, unfortunately it melts in the wax pot. What is the name of the plastic that most bobbins are currently made of?

[big_teee]

Zombie thread alert -- I take the blame.

Have found some stuff that looks good, unfortunately it melts in the wax pot. What is the name of the plastic that most bobbins are currently made of?

Maybe back the temp off the wax pot.
130-140F

[Zhangliqun]

Maybe back the temp off the wax pot.
130-140F

Mine is just an on/off. What's a good, cheap variable temp one?

[David King]

You need to look up the "melt index" and working temp of the various options by manufacturer. Some melt as low as 150º F while others can hold out to 600º+. Many common thermoplastics can start to deform well below their melting point.

The easiest way to drop the temp in your wax pot is to keep it uncovered or dip some aluminum or copper heat diffusers in there. A metal can will lose heat faster than a glass or plastic container. You could also plug it into a dimmer switch/ router speed control.

You might be able to adjust the thermostat if it has one and you can get to it.

[big_teee]

I use a small crockpot plugged into a lightbulb limiter I use building amps.
It will stay around 145f.

[jason lollar]

the light bulb limiter will work- I use a variac to control the heat which gives you more flexibility and you can get exacting results, some pickguard materials are more sensitive to heat than others- keep the temp low and dont leave it in the potter long.