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Hi Guys,

Just like to thank all the forum members for their comments and posts in the past. They are a great source of information. I am looking at making a splitter to go under the front lip on my NA. Can anyone tell me where I can purchase a sheet of ABS plastic (or similar) approx size 1500 x 800 mm 5-6 mm thick, in the Canberra area.

Thanks,
Lindsay

Try Clark Rubber. They have a store in Fyshwick.

Fyshwick
84 Newcastle Street
Fyshwick, ACT, 2609
Ph: 02 6280 6818
Fax: 02 6239 2514
Fyshwick@clarkrubber.com.au

I wouldn't use plastic. It will crack when you have an off. Look at the one i just made on my car. It is from an alloy supplier. It is used by signwriters. Very stiff, but u can bend it. It is plastic with alloy laminated to both sides. Comes in 3 and 4 mm.

I do not know Canberra but it is likely there is a plastics supplier for sheet for construction and fabrication. Toolmakers making jigs and the like use plastics which they can cut and form.Some of the industrial suppliers may also carry a limited range of plastic sheet. If you check Plastral Fidene ( Sydney) web site and perhaps ring one of the sales people and ask for a recommendation on which plastic to use and they might be able to give you a lead to someone they supply in your city . Cars use many different plastics all to suit specific requirements. Bumper bars are typically moulded from polypropylene and one of the characteristics of some plastics is that they are flexible but have good impact resistance without cracking. I do not know what product Lightyear is referring to.

Thanks very much for the prompt response guys. It gives me some leads to follow up.

lightyear wrote:I wouldn't use plastic. It will crack when you have an off. Look at the one i just made on my car. It is from an alloy supplier. It is used by signwriters. Very stiff, but u can bend it. It is plastic with alloy laminated to both sides. Comes in 3 and 4 mm.

ABS plastic is okay to use. it won't crack that easily, but merely bend/flex alot before it can crack.. which is hard. It's the same stuff that car manufacturers use on lips, the worse it can get is really bad scraps and scratches.

LMW wrote:Thanks very much for the prompt response guys. It gives me some leads to follow up.

Could you please update this thread with prices when you get them?
Im interested in making a flat underbody in the not to distant future.

Kitkat- Plastral Fidene have an office in Brissy- suggest check out their website.

Spoke with Plastral Fidine in Sydney who said they dont supply ABS. The rep was very helpful and checked out and got back to me. His checking said that previous involvement said that HDPE was not suitable but he did not know why. The HDPE he referred to was the sort you see chopping boards made out of at 6 mm. Checking my wifes chopping board when I got home I think 6 mm would be too thick. A plastic supplier in Fyshwick has 3 mm ABS for about $95 for a 2440 x 1220 sheet. It does come in 4.5 mm but he did not have current price but said just multiply the 3 mm price by the 4.5 mm as a guide which means about $140 - 150 for a sheet. He will have to order it in. I am thinking about ordering in a sheet but as I think I only need a 900 x 1500 piece there will be some waste. Is there anyone local who wants to split cost and they can have the surplus. I will check with a cardboard template tomorrow to confirm size required.

kitkat wrote:

LMW wrote:Thanks very much for the prompt response guys. It gives me some leads to follow up.

Could you please update this thread with prices when you get them?
Im interested in making a flat underbody in the not to distant future.

speaking from experience is much much harder then it looks. have a look at the big forum. I think one of the sponsors is in the middle of making one for an na. there are oh so many complications when you get down to it and test it.

Can you please tell me what the 'Big Forum' is.

Thanks

16bit wrote:

kitkat wrote:

LMW wrote:Thanks very much for the prompt response guys. It gives me some leads to follow up.

Could you please update this thread with prices when you get them?
Im interested in making a flat underbody in the not to distant future.

speaking from experience is much much harder then it looks. have a look at the big forum. I think one of the sponsors is in the middle of making one for an na. there are oh so many complications when you get down to it and test it.

Im always up for a challenge and im not expecting it to be easy

The rough plan is to make an underbody brace with mounting points that the flat underbody can screw into. The design of the front and middle sections (flat underbody) shouldnt be too difficult but designing a rear section thats effective i assume will be.

Now just to find time, money and effort...


Thanks for the info LMW. And big forum = http://forum.miata.net/

no amount of thread lock will work with screws. unless its aluminium on aluminium. it just won't hold in steel.

A splitter you say? Why don't you use MDF?

Some guys that run a popular TV show over in UK tried it...