material for replacement darkslide UK

[pdeeh]

I want to experiment with making negatives of different shapes and sizes in my 10x8 camera.

(yes I do know I can make masks when printing, so there's no need to suggest that)

spare darkslide inserts are not easy to come by and are anyway expensive and difficult for me to cut.

stiff card is not quite stiff or robust enough , and mat board just a tad too thick.

any suggestions for a suitable material, easily cut with craft knife or scalpel, and available in the UK?

 

[monst]

you could try some black trophy aluminium sheet, not too easy to cut but if you score it a few times with a scalpel then you can break it over the edge of a table. you can also get it cut to size by the sellers most of the time. have replaced some old 5x7 plate holder slides with it and it worked well. places that sell trophies and do engraving use it a fair bit

 

[Sim2]

Hi there,
Sounds like a plastic styrene could be your friend... can be bought in various thicknesses, can be scored with a craft knife and then snapped apart, can even be glued together with a solvent! Ta da!

I have had no problems buying from here (other retailers are available! - some model shops stock styrene):
https://eileensemporium.com/index.p...isting&cid=1117&name=styrene-sheet&Itemid=189

Hope this assists and good luck.

 

[pdeeh]

ha that's the stuff!
. styrene/plasticard .
I remember seeing it discussed before now I have been reminded.
thanks!
and ta also to monst for replying

 

[AgX]

Even better than PS would be ABS.
Also available in black and in 1mm.

 

[pdeeh]

hmm my darkslide inserts measure about 0.7/0.8mm thick.
1mm would probably just squeeze in but I would not want to risk damage to the light traps

 

[AgX]

I found several shops offering black PS in 0.5mm.

Maybe too thin for the traps.

 

[paul_c5x4]

I believe darkslides are traditionally made from a phenolic laminate - There are a few sources in the UK that stock 0.8mm thick sheet, one I came across is: http://www.plasticstockist.com/Kite-Tufnol-Sheet.aspx

I have no idea how opaque it is, or how easy it would be for the OP to cut. Might be worth giving them a call and see if they will post a sample.

 

[pdeeh]

Thanks Paul for the reminder about phenolics.

I don't think opacity is so much of an issue in this case as it would be if one were making a replacement for a damaged or missing insert, as the modified one will only be in for the duration of the exposure.

Perhaps phenolic laminate is a bit too brittle, though, given my limited tools/equipment/skills.

All helpful suggestions so far - many thanks to everybody