Custom shaped HDPE (Polyethylene) boards

[Elemental]

Seaspray has some HDPE sink covers that double as chopping boards. They're now quite scratched and marked up. Does anyone know of somewhere I can get some custom shaped HDPE boards made up? All the places I've found only do straight rectangles and I need rounded corners and a thumbhole and the like. I can get perspex cut to a template, but I think Polyethylene would be best.

Ideas anyone?

 

[FirstAway]

Try Bay Plastics in North Shields, I have used them for several bits and pieces and always found them very helpful with excellent quality work.

 

[Craig Bowman]

Seaspray has some HDPE sink covers that double as chopping boards. They're now quite scratched and marked up. Does anyone know of somewhere I can get some custom shaped HDPE boards made up? All the places I've found only do straight rectangles and I need rounded corners and a thumbhole and the like. I can get perspex cut to a template, but I think Polyethylene would be best.

Ideas anyone?

I had some of the high density plywood used in shower enclosures that had a grey finish on it.its amazing stuff that doesn't Mark under the knife or absorb any water.
I sealed the edges anyway when cut to shape.its reversible as well so good for raw / cooked prep.

 

[simonfraser]

these guys will supply you, have used them myself
5 Star Plastic Supplier | The Plastic People

 

[salar]

I have just bought some sheet from Acrylic Plastic Sheets Cut To Size | Sheet Plastics and they will do custom cutting.

 

[Stemar]

HDPE wouldn't be hard to cut with a jigsaw. I'd just get rectangular lumps and cut 'em to shape.

 

[Elemental]

HDPE wouldn't be hard to cut with a jigsaw. I'd just get rectangular lumps and cut 'em to shape.

I must admit, the thought had crossed my mind, but I wondered how easy it would be to get a smooth finish around the edges... A quick check of the supplier mentioned by @simonfraser (#4 above) suggest they can do 'cut to shape' stuff - I'll enquire of prices first but if it's prohibitively expensive I may have a go myself...

 

[Poey50]

i have cut and shaped curves in HDPE and the results were OK but not beautiful. It is not an easy material to work. The best I managed was using a jigsaw to cut but spraying the blade simultaneously with water to prevent (or inhibit) melting under friction. It's impossible to sand but I did manage to round the edges a little by using a carefully adjusted spokeshave.

 

[[163233]]

Not sure if HDPE is prone to going soft with the heat from cutting, which can make a jigsaw hard work.

There are also "fablab" type places which have CNC machines, that can cut unusual shapes and profile the edges.

 

[LadyInBed]

Would a 'Hot Wire' cut HDPE?

 

[Jungle Jim]

you can get hdpe cut to intricate shapes with water jet cutting, try asking direct plastics
Waterjet Cutting Of Engineering Plastic - News About Engineering Plastics | Direct Plastics Limited

 

[Daverw]

I use a small hand plane to smooth edges after cutting with jigsaw or hacksaw