Perspex for fretboard templates

[zendo]

Anyone know where I can buy perspex for making fretboard templates.... online or in Brisbane...

[seeaxe]

I get mine from Bunnings

[vandenboom]

I perspex is the same as polycarbonate, then yep, Bunnings.

[Allen]

If you go by any sign shop, ask if they have any that might be suitable. I get all of mine that way. Just rubbish to them.

[simso]

If you are using a laser to cut with, make sure its acrylic sheet, not pvc, when pvc burns it emits a green gas, which is chlorine gas and it will kill you with enough exposure

[seeaxe]

I perspex is the same as polycarbonate, then yep, Bunnings.

Agreed, its polycarbonate not Perspex but does more or less the same job.
I remember being told at school that Perspex is polymethylmethacrylate - no wonder the trade name is shorter.
Whatever it is. it's not cheap, so the sign shop sounds like a good tip.

Good luck on your search!

[Nick]

Perspex = Acrylic sheet- polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA for short, thank an omnipotent being for that!) Perspex is one of it's trade names
Polycarbonate has a different chemical structure so "technically" it is actually different from Acrylic. It is a tougher plastic and has more impact resistance, for that reason it's the stuff they use for aircraft windows.
Both types are sold in sheet form and will perform well as fretting template material ( the templates you buy from either Stewmac or LMI are Acrylic), be aware that Acrylic will be affected by direct sunlight and it becomes brittle over time as the internal structure is affected by UV, so if you do go with Acrylic then be sure to store your templates in shaded areas or in a cupboard somewhere.
Bunnings aren't that advanced here in NZ, I've never seen it in the stores so if they supply acrylic sheet in Oz then go for it! Other than that any trade plastics supplier ( Dotmar is an excellent supplier) will be able to provide you with either type. If you have an outlet near you it's always worth a trip down there as they quite often have offcuts from sheets they've cut up that they will sell cheaply (they've already charged out the sheet to the original customer so sell any small offcuts for a few dollars, I'm sure that money goes toward the social club ).

[soulman]

The Guys at school get acrylic from Cottage Plastics.
28 Bronze st Sumner Park.
073376 7588

Regards Ross