Generic polystyrene vs. Evergreen?

[Gern]

To answer my own question, apparently not - see the UK Gov't info:
 Toxic by all routes of exposure
 Chemical classification: irritant
 Inhalation of high levels can cause irritation of the nose, throat and lungs and chest tightness.
 Ingestion causes inflammation of the mouth and stomach upset
 Skin contact may cause irritation, redness, drying and dermatitis
 Inhalation, ingestion or prolonged skin contact can also cause headache, dizziness, tiredness, slurred speech, low temperature, fitting and coma
 Eye contact can cause irritation and in severe cases permanent eye damage

So absolutely no need for any precautions then. If this is classed as an 'irritant', what's Ebola classified as? 'A viral infection with flu-like symptoms?

[stillp]

Well, our beloved Government does give this:
If you have got methyl ethyl ketone on your skin remove soiled clothing, wash the affected area with lukewarm water and soap for at least 10 – 15 minutes and seek medical advice. If you have got methyl ethyl ketone in your eyes remove contact lenses, wash the affected area with lukewarm water for at least 10 – 15 minutes and seek medical advice. If you have inhaled or ingested methyl ethyl ketone seek medical advice.

Pete

[Guest]

Well, our beloved Government does give this:
If you have got methyl ethyl ketone on your skin remove soiled clothing, wash the affected area with lukewarm water and soap for at least 10 – 15 minutes and seek medical advice. If you have got methyl ethyl ketone in your eyes remove contact lenses, wash the affected area with lukewarm water for at least 10 – 15 minutes and seek medical advice. If you have inhaled or ingested methyl ethyl ketone seek medical advice.

Pete

Seems a bit extreme considering how often you get MEK on your fingers when using Tamiya extra fine cement, but I agree I got a blistering headache when I spilled out a whole jar of a freshly opened such bottle a couple of weeks ago - in the bedroom...

...but those processes are probably in place for industrial use, or large volume use, and to protect themselves.

[Guest]

After my recent treatment by the postman, the new Swedish post office (now owned by the Danish PostNord) screwed me on no less than three different scale models two days ago and just sent them back to China without delivering them to me, nor notifying me that they'd arrived (well they told me they'd arrived three days AFTER they sent them back... sigh) so I decided to order from someone with proper tracking facilities and found a seller in Spain.

I bought a set of 5 A4 1 mm sheets and two sets of various rods, tubes, profiles etc (20 pieces in each set) at the total sum of £31 including shipping. Much cheaper than the £7 each for the EverGreen pieces I'd looked at!
That should be very helpful in my modelling adventures onward - especially since I lost one tiny part for my Maybach HL230 engine to my Takom King Tiger which I now can replace/remake with help of a hex rod of styrene in one of the packs!




I don't know why I didn't think of eBay when I buy so much else there, but the issues with receiving stuff from far overseas the last two years have put me off ordering since I've lost so many packages due to the postman not delivering since I live somewhat rural... I miss Royal Mail. Not the fastest in the world, but refuse to deliver post would never happened! Not in Guildford where I used to live.
Sweden has gone to #&/%¤ the last couple of years and instead of getting better it's only getting worse - and on all fronts!

Sorry for rant but I'm currently trying to get the three different sellers to resend those packages to me once again and one thinks I'm trying to scam him somehow... It's an expensive Dragon model too with lots of extras... I filed a complaint with the post office but they ignored me and my claim. They're too busy with everyone else trying to find their packages...

Thanks again Dave for the somewhat obvious tip on eBay that I somehow missed... ops:

[Bugatti Fan]

I have read a number of references to using acetone in this thread's posts. Check out Nail Varnish Remover as I believe that it may be acetone under another label and may be less expensive to buy as such.
A long time ago in a galaxy (whoops wrong train of thought!) I mean modelling magazine, there was a description about dissolving sprue in CTC (carbon tetrachloride) for working up a paste of polystyrene for modifying Historex figures. CTC was used many years ago as a fire extinguishing agent to top up those little brass pump action extinguishers often seen in vehicles.

[Ian M]

After my recent treatment by the postman, the new Swedish post office (now owned by the Danish PostNord) screwed me on no less than t

Other way around Jens, the Swedish post nord bought post Danmark and since that day have lost so many customers they risk collapse.

[zuludog]

Nail varnish remover does consist mainly of acetone but it also contains some water and oil so that it is not as aggressive when used for its intended purpose; it is less likely to remove fat from nails & skin, and thus reduce cracking or other damage

As it is a less powerful solvent and would leave a smear of oil I wouldn't use it on a model, but I do use it for cleaning my hands if I've been using epoxy glue

Carbon tetrachloride is no longer used in fire extinguishers as it is carcinogenic. It has been replaced by BCF - bromo, chloro, difluoro, methane

If you want some plastic card then there always seems to be loads of CD cases lying around

[stillp]

Nail varnish remover can be pure acetone, or acetone-free, or anything in between. It should state on the label. Zulu, I wouldn't use any of them to clean your hands, you could end up with dermatitis. Use a proper hand cleanser.

Pete

[zuludog]

I'm not talking about swilling around in a whole bucketful, just wiping off the epoxy with a moderately soaked cloth, then washing my hands in soap & water

one of my other hobbies is knife making, for which I use epoxy glue, but it's only a minor hobby; I probably only make one knife every 2 or 3 months, so the same goes for epoxy & acetone
But I think I'll get some disposeable gloves anyway

[Gern]

Just to get back to the original topic for a mo, I found this company recently. Their products may not be quite so crisp and sharp as Evergreen, but they're cheap as chips:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/dorspring123?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

[Bugatti Fan]

There is a company in the UK named Slaters who supply plastic card, plastic extrusions ( rounds, squares etc), and various embossed plastic sheet. They have been around for decades mainly aiming at the model railway fraternity. I re spoked a set of the big Airfix Bentley with their plastic rodding way back in the 1970's. Have used their excellent products many times since. Like most products aimed at the hobbyist, small quantities may seem a bit expensive. There is another company named EMA in London who import and distribute the Plastruct range of sheet and extrusions in Polystyrene and ABS plastics. As an alternative, it may be worth looking at local commercial plastics plastics suppliers instead of model shops that may be more cost effective. The downside is, forget A4 size sheets as these guys probably only sell in much larger sized sheets mainly to industry. If a group of modellers got together and buy some sheets to cut it may be feasable.

[Guest]

Hello Jens,
I have only just seen your thread on sheet plastic, I am an avid scratch builder and get all my supplies from my local hobby shop,
TRANSPORT MODELS OF PRESTON LANCASHIRE ENGLAND, they have a web site and internet service, a sheet of 30 thou plasticard is approx 24 inches by 17 inches is 6 pounds and you can make a lot of bits with a big sheet like this, they also have smaller sheets clear and all other designs with rivet and panel ect. Check out the site they are very helpful I have been using the shop for years. As for evergreen products they have shot in price and I only buy tubes and box sections when I really need them, there are other things out there you just have to keep looking. You will see from some of my post I use a LOT of plasticard and the shop gives excellent value for money.

regards Barrie ( the old guy ) my models are in the sci fi forum have a peek.