Timegirl's TARDIS

[Mark]

We try our best TG

[the15thdoctor]

my roof needed fitting with a "hammer", im sure it WAS square honest guv........ still you wouldnt know looking at it...(distracts the onlookers by singing........)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a9/the15thdoctor/DSCF0503.jpg

just a link to save SPACE.....now ive just got to find the TIME to correct the DIMENSIONS before the RELATIVEs see it........... oh boy 

[TG]

I just noticed that the 4mm clear polystyrene sheet, that I'm cutting for my windows, says it's for 'indoor use only' (oops)
Anyone know why that would be?

[Mark]

Maybe it's not UV stable, and if you use it outdoors it may become cloudy?

If this is the case, then the "cloudy" windows could actually be a good thing, saving you having to dirty-down them.

Any updated piccy's T.G.?

[TG]

Thanks Mark 
Colour change is OK.  Just as long as the styrene doesn't crack in the frost, shrink, expand or dissolve...
This syrene sheet cuts really easily (which is not my experience of cutting Perspex) and fortunate as I'm having to cut 32 panes to go with my pebbled glass.
I might post my window pictures soon - probably from a distance (they are quite a bright white).

Roof still in progress, I'm still trying to work out a way of making sure my lamp will be secure on top - especially in high winds  :-/
But real life and work just keeps on getting in the way of TARDIS building unfortunately.

TG

[Scarfwearer]

I actually cut 8 T-shapes, rather than 32 small panes. Just a thought...

Crispin

[cyberleader1991]

I went with the T shapes too  8-)

[TG]

Returning to the subject of 'the perspex T' for TARDIS windows.
I know that the T is a very sensible idea and I did try cutting one but ended up with a pile of perspex triangles - so I gave up  :-/
And I did notice that Glen says in The TARDIS Builders Manual "I had some Perspex cut in a T shape"
So do people get these Ts cut? or does someone know how to cut the perfect T?

[cyberleader1991]

Ah, that would be with a table saw again, TG!

Here's how my windows were cut:

[noIMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/Cyberleader1991/PoliceBoxWindows.jpg[/img]

[kiwidoc]

I had them cut to a T by the plastics company I was  buying the stuff from, quick and easy that way.  Otherwise I would probably also simply use a table saw or jigsaw but *personally* I'd be nervous about gumming up the saw with hot plastic so would have to advise caution and a good cleanup process - Tom did your saw not get gooey at all?

- glen

[Scarfwearer]

An electric mitre saw also seems to work fine - I tried it with lighting diffuser and also 2mm acrylic sheet and it seems to work even better than a table saw. Just go slow.

You get a small amount of plastic on the circular saw blade with table or mitre saw, but it comes off next time you cut some wood. Most of the plastic melt stays on the edge of the plastic, but you can usually pull it off pretty cleanly with fingers and without needing any sanding.

Crispin

[TG]

Thank you - might have guessed it would be the dreaded table saw Tom!
I did try to cut the perspex with a jig saw but it still cracked and as Glen said, the blade on the jigsaw did get gummed up.
Crispin - I hadn't thought of trying my electric mitre saw - but I may try it now that I know I should be able to clean the blade. What sort of blade did you use? my blade is quite coarse

[dematerialiser]

Hi TG

Don't know if this will help, but a little while ago I needed to cut some kitchen worktop and some plastic and having tried (and failed) with standard jigsaw blades I managed to find a special Black & Decker blade at B&Q for cutting stuff that's prone to cracking and splintering like that. I think the trick of it is that it cuts both ways with finer teeth, instead of just on the downward stroke like most jigsaws. Perhaps that will work.

cheers
Chris

[cyberleader1991]

Try putting quality masking tape on the cut line; that will at least reduce the splintering if not eliminate it  8-)

[Mark]

Depening how thick the perspex is TG, try a sharp stanley knife.

Might take a little longer but you'll have more control over the cut, especially if you use a steel ruler to guide it.

I've done this on other perspex related things and although you do have to cut along the same line a number of times, the result is reasonably good.