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Best way to cut takeout tray plastic?

Discussion in 'Scenery' started by GingerGiant, Jul 27, 2020.

  1. GingerGiant

    GingerGiant Well-Known Member

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    I’ve got some plastic takeout trays with lids that I’d like to cut for terrain. Is there a particular type of scissors or tool that would making cutting the plastic (in a straight line!) easier? The tray in question is divided into three sections, and each of them would make a separate building.
     
  2. kesharq

    kesharq Lucky Dice-Roller

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    I use a simple cutter knife (thinn or broad blade depends on thickness of material to be cut) with a metal lineal for cutting plastic and sand down the edges afterwards.
     
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  3. chromedog

    chromedog Less than significant minion

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    Depends on the type of plastic and the thickness of the plastic, tbh.
    The number in the "recyc" triangle usually helps here.

    If doing it by hand, a steel ruler will help enormously. So would pictures.
     
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  4. GingerGiant

    GingerGiant Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]
    A number 3, and I’m hoping the final buildings can stack on top of and inside each other.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  5. chromedog

    chromedog Less than significant minion

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    Sharp blade and a steady hand.
    Otherwise, a pair of scissors should also do it. They don't look to be that thick. My regular scissors cut up to 1mm plasticard with some effort (it does blunt the scissors, though - but not as much as cutting paper with them.)
     
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  6. Mob of Blondes

    Mob of Blondes Well-Known Member

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    Code 3? Lucky, PVC, some glues and paints will work, instead of "mostly none at all".

    I would use a wood block, on the side, something that fits in the space between blocks, and cut from the other side with a blade (and ruler for straight cut), using the block as support. Harder to explain than to do. And assuming it is not flimsy enough for scissors.
     
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  7. chromedog

    chromedog Less than significant minion

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    According to my list, '3' is pvc?
    There are a few adhesives that work for gluing this stuff.

    That said, they'd probably need some form of internal bracing (or filling with expanding foam or similar) and basing if you intend to use them for terrain. They WILL probably get crushed otherwise
     
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