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HDU foam supplier
Hi there, I have drawn a blank on Uk suppliers of HDU foam (sign carving and CNC use), is there a similar product on sale in the UK ?. regards Graham
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17 Replies
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Spandex used to sell "Signroc" don’t know if they still do?
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Contact Kellie Millar at precision board.
they have a distributor in Manchester i think, (non-sign related firm) she will be able to tell you who it is, whats available and anything else you need to know.
mention the boards etc and i am sure she will see you right.
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quote Robert Lambie:Contact Kellie Millar at precision board.they have a distributor in Manchester i think, (non-sign related firm) she will be able to tell you who it is, whats available and anything else you need to know.
mention the boards etc and i am sure she will see you right.
Cheers Rob thank you for that, or should I say Yippe aye A cowboy !
Regards
Graham -
quote Mike Grant:Spandex used to sell “Signroc” don’t know if they still do?
Mike, gave them a call, and yes they still do sign roc, I have requested a sample, which they are going to send out, also sent an inquiry for a UK distributor of HDU foam
cheers to both of you.
Regards
Graham -
I was very interested in HDU many years ago after spending a year and a half in Los Angeles were we made so many signs, 3d letters and the like from it.
When I returned to the UK in 96 I found Metamark used to sell HDU, think they stopped as the was not, and still isnt a big market for it in the UK.
Its great stuff to work with and you can get some fantastic results with it. What are your plans and what spurred you to use it?
I still have samples of it at the office, maybe a few suppliers that may still supply it, I will dig it out tomorrow for you.
Mike. Signroc was always very expensive from Spandex, could not justify the cost, very similar stuff though.
Steve
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My plans for using Hdu foam or similar type foam is to make large scale props for theatre, which is a big part of what I do, also as a sign maker I want to try fabricating some 3d some sign ideas I have , by hand and also using a cnc machine, i have built, so all in all as they say, everyday is a school day. and having used polystyrene & so called UK HDU for years and have never been happy with the overall finish, I am truly stunned by the results some of our north American and Canadian counter parts and making, I have tried for a while to find a UK supplier (without success) and although the cost of this stuff is not cheap, compared to what is currently marketed , so I guess the big question is can sign makers sell this product in the UK for the cost of the material plus labour cost ? Hmmm , regardless of how high the finish, ……comments welcomed, so initially I think it is for my own gratification/learning curve, so any help would be gratefully recieved, and would also be keen to hear from other sign mkaers using this tye of material ,
Regards Graham -
Graham
Well you know the stuff quite well then by the sounds. Interesting what you are producing with it too. I had this site in my bookmarks, might be worth a look.
http://www.styrotechdisplay.co.uk
and
http://www.polystyreneps.com/
same group of companies but different sites, and selling flat sheet, not sure what thicknesses they do.I also checked through the few suppliers I had info on in my suppliers file cabinet. I found info and prices from a company that sent us info on it from 1997 😮 although after a quick call they no longer supply it. I also found info I requested from Precision Board (Rob mentioned) in 1997 too, they should be able to direct any UK suppliers to you.
The European version is a different chemical makeup from that of the States and is cheaper I believe.
Good Luck
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quote Steve Lamb:Graham
Well you know the stuff quite well then by the sounds. Interesting what you are producing with it too. I had this site in my bookmarks, might be worth a look.
http://www.styrotechdisplay.co.uk
and
http://www.polystyreneps.com/
same group of companies but different sites, and selling flat sheet, not sure what thicknesses they do.I also checked through the few suppliers I had info on in my suppliers file cabinet. I found info and prices from a company that sent us info on it from 1997 😮 although after a quick call they no longer supply it. I also found info I requested from Precision Board (Rob mentioned) in 1997 too, they should be able to direct any UK suppliers to you.
The European version is a different chemical makeup from that of the States and is cheaper I believe.
Good Luck
Steve, Thank you for the input, I will check out the sites you mentioned, the cost of the precision board seemed to me at least, on the dear side at £145 per sheet 3 x 5 , at 2 inch thickness, but I guess that price is for a single sheet and cost would come down on quanitiy purchased, Anyway going to give it a try, all the bset for now Graham
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Hi Graham
sorry mate, here is another uk supplier of another type of hdu.
http://www.indasol.co.uk/#/sign-block/4550729933I couldnet remember who it ws i saw started offering HDU in the uk, but indasol now do it also.
the one i recommended is still a very good option and if you can get hold of it, do… i have used sign foam and still have some in stock. there are various densities. the preceison board one has various densities and thicknesses.
i have saw samples of it and its excellent, very smooth on the denser stuff, almost like chalk!as you will know, its HDU is a dream to route, sculpt etc doesnt warpp or crack. have signs up for over 10 years and still look great!
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Rob, cheers for the info, will contact them re costings etc, good to have tracked this down at last, cheers again.
Graham -
Rob
Indasol, well I never!
I spoke and ordered some adhesives and tapes just today 🙄 Not spoken to them in say 2 years. Never checked out what else they sell. Small world eh
Steve
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:lol1: very true…
I know Indasol have some great products, never thought of them supplying this sort of thing, but hey, why not… just another good product to the list. 😀
I hadnt used anything from Indasol until end of last year when i was subbed part ofa large contract and they used Indasol tapes. was a great tape, the strength of it and instant tack was amazing. anyway… getting off topic there. :lol1:
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just thought i would drop this link for anyone looking for sign foam as the price was far better than indasol
http://www.tridentfoams.co.uk
they have MHD sign Foam and a foam called tricast in a number of grades,
my samples scrubbed up well after some slight filling.they sell a number of foams perfect for 3d sign making.
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Cheers for the info Ben
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I’ve been asked to price up a job which is making up another couple of HDU engraved signs similar to some existing ones on site. Any suggestions who can do this sort of work for the trade?
In the meantime I’m going to get a few samples to play with, because given the signs we are trying to match have been on site for 5 years they still look literally as good as new! :clap3:
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quote Paul Seeley:I’ve been asked to price up a job which is making up another couple of HDU engraved signs similar to some existing ones on site. Any suggestions who can do this sort of work for the trade?In the meantime I’m going to get a few samples to play with, because given the signs we are trying to match have been on site for 5 years they still look literally as good as new! :clap3:
What are you going to do with your samples Paul if you don’t mind me asking, if your asking for a trade supplier to produce some signs for you then I am guessing you don’t have a cnc machine yourself.
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Ask away Martin 😀
I used to work as a prop-maker and still make the odd prop or two for local drama events. Added to which my main hobby is building freelight model aircraft so I’m always looking out for new materials (I suspect carving male moulds for engine cowls in carbon will be an obvious first ‘play’)
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