Supplies

Plastic requires special tools for drilling, routing, sanding, and buffing. At TAP, we use the following to fabricate plastic. Ask for our leaflet Drilling Plastic. All these tools are available from our TAP Plastics stores.

Bits

Acrylic Drill Bits are special purpose, high-speed drill bits. Bits over 1/4" have 1/4" shank.

  • Sizes: 1/8", 3/16", 5/16", 7/16", 5/32", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2"

Router Bits are two flutes, super sharp, carbide tipped and some with ball bearings.

  • Chamfering Bit
  • Straight 1/2"
  • Beading 1/4"
  • Trim/Flush
  • Roundover 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" (trim/template)

Buffers and Sandpaper

Arbor Adapter turns your hand drill into a buffer and uses Stitched Buffing Wheels (see description below).

3-M Imperial Sandpaper comes in extra fine wet or dry paper with grits to 2500.

  • Grits: 240A, 400A, 600A, 800A, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500 (sleeves of 50)

Disc Sandpaper is 5" in diameter with a hook and loop back.

  • Grits: 100, 180, 320

Buffing Wheels for loose-leaf muslin buffs. All diameters are 20-ply sections (three sections).

  • Size: 1/2" arbor holes
  • Diameters: 6", 8", 10"

Buffing Compound can buff acrylic to a shine. Our Tripoli-based bars are tallow lubricated. The red bar has a stronger compound than the white bar. Full bars average 2 to 2 1/2 lbs. Also in half bars and broken pieces.

Strip Heater

Strip Heater (electric) bends acrylic, styrene, and ABS

Free-Standing Heaters are heating trays have been exclusively designed to give constant professional bends while working with all types of thermoplastic materials.

Handles, Hinges, Knobs, and Latches

Acryl-Pull™ Handle is a clear, solvent cementable, labor saving acrylic pull for plastic fabrication. Hollow inside can be painted or filled with glitter, sand, grain, or seeds for effect.

  • Small: 3/8" high x 2"
  • Long Medium: 7/16\" high x 2-3/4\"
  • Long Large: 1/2" high x 3-1/2" long

Acryl-Knobs™ are made specifically for plastics fabrication. They will solvent-cement in seconds, eliminating the need to drill holes for cabinet knobs that require screws or threaded fasteners. Micro Dots (small stand-offs on the cementing surface) enable anyone to get excellent results every time regardless of experience or technical ability. Recommended for bulk food bins, pastry cases, displays, safety shields, exhibits, dispensers, and laboratory apparatus.

  • Size: 1" diameter x 3/4" tall

Acryl Hinge 2™ is a new improved design, material, and new hinge pin.

  • Colors: white, black, clear
  • Sizes: 1-1/2" x 1-3/4"

Flex-Fold 2™ Continuous Hinge is a plexi DR, high-impact clear acrylic continuous length of 48" hinge. Joined by flexible elastomer center section. Use for food bins, tank covers, safety guards, and other demanding applications. Attach with solvent cement.

  • Sizes: per ft or 4 ft lengths
Piano-Type Continuous Hinge looks like a piano hinge and is nearly invisible on clear acrylic.
  • Material: clear excelon or clear acrylic
  • Sizes: 5\', 12" (cut to length or butt-join for longer lengths)

Clear Door Catch is a simple friction-fit fastener that mounts on the inside or outside. Use on flat surfaces. Non-locking.

Draw Latch is sturdy polypropylene construction latch. Draws and snaps surfaces together.

  • Color: black

Clear Hasp or Clasp for Door can be solvent glued. Eliminates unsightly screws and bolts.

Cleaners and Polishes

Kleenmaster Brillianize is the professional\'s choice. Makes shiny surfaces brilliant. Surfaces resist finger marks, dust, and abrasion.

  • Sizes: 8 oz bottle, quart or gallon container

Novus® Plastic Polishes add life to plastic and keep it looking like new.

Novus 1: Gently cleans all plastics without scratching. Leaves a lustrous shine that resists fogging, repels dust, and eliminates static.

Novus 2: Removes fine scratches, haziness, and abrasions from most plastics. Use repeatedly and restore faded and discolored plastics.

Novus 3: Removes heavy scratches and abrasions from most acrylic surfaces. Requires both Novus 1 and 2 Polishes for final finishing.

  • Sizes: 2 oz, 8 oz, 64 oz

Professional Machine Cleaner 1 is an abrasive cleaner blended with polishing oils to protect and lubricate. Apply with electric polisher (1750 to 2800 rpm) and buffing pad. Buffs out defects and sanding marks.

  • Size: pint

Professional Machine Glaze 3 is a nonabrasive polish that creates a high-gloss reflection on molds and finished parts.

  • Size: pint

Lint-Free All Purpose Wiper and Low Lint Wiper has a cloth-like softness for cleaning and polishing acrylic. Low lint, highly absorbent, and disposable.

  • Size: 12" x 14" (individually or bundles of 56 for Lint Free/bundles of 50 for Low Lint)