The Armour Archive

If i were to try and go to a store to get some 1/8" thick ABS (sentra, Celtec, Comatex) plastic, where might be a good place to go? I have found some online stores, but I'm more a 'go out and pick it up' person

Ebay...kydex and abs are usually very available..

yeah, i've found it on ebay, as well as sevreal other places. I would rather go to a phtsical store and buy it myself... just kinda old fashioned that way. I'm just wondering what kinds of stores might carry this stuff.

I know car audio stores may carry 12" x 12" sheets and hobby stores have s slim chance of having this stuff (since it is used to make large RC bodies), but where else might carry this stuff?

where are you located.
there is one in buffalo NY
but that does little to help if your in Panama.

I live on the boarder of Alabam and Georgia, got wind through another grapevine that I should try sign shops. Most of their heavy duty signs are made from 1/8" PVC Sintra.

What per chance do you plan on doing with the plastic?

I know, I know "making armour"

Gaunts, legs, arms, etc.

there may be a better choice

I'd be using it to make LARP armor for now, I may some for SCA use later (if my body heals right). But I'll most likely make one of, if not both of the suits below...

As for later on I'll more then likely go with a winged Polish husser look, But i'll be making as much as I can out of plastic, untill I'm back to the point where I can handle the weight of a full metal rig.

I'd be wary of Sintra (closed cell PVC foamboard)... while rigid and easy to shape, it's not very durable, and has a very low elasticity (bend it a few times and it will break.)

what would you reccomend then?

http://www.professionalplastics.com/ABS ... RMINGGRADE

It's what I'm using for my plastic finger gauntlets, and so far it heats nice, forms well, and the company was aces to deal with.