Lithophane Material

[kapuaa]

I picked up some transparent plexiglass and the lithophane effect did not work. Is it because it was a transparent sheet to start with so too much light comes through or because it is plexiglass or both?

Can some spell out exactly what material I need and maybe a good place to get sheets.

[gwhiz]

It's because it's transparent. Most use corian (white or bone) to carve litho's. Either 1/4" or 1/2" (I've only used 1/4") seems to work and most seem to buy on ebay--do a search and you'll find sellers offering 8x10" sheets. You'll also find posts on here with Corian or equivalent periodically. I'm sure other's will respond with their favorite sources. Below is an example

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-Pcs-1-4-Corian...item439e964b1b

[cnsranch]

Watch using plexiglass - it can ruin the machine - always use CAST acrylic.

That said, take your random orbit sander (assuming you have one) and buff the backside of your piece until it's opaque (really as cloudy as you can make it).

Or, you could try a thin coat of white (or other light colored) spray paint - on the backside, NOT the carved side. The paint will still allow light to come through, and the carved areas will allow more light than un-carved areas. Too much light, add another coat of paint.

Ain't the best, but it can save your project. As George said, bone or white corian is the way to go.

[pjfiedler]

... most use corian (white or bone) to carve litho's. Either 1/4" or 1/2" (I've only used 1/4") seems to work ... [/URL]

I picked up a 1/2" thick piece. Can corian be cut with a standard table saw blade? If so, is it better to cut/rip a 1/2" piece down to 1/4" thickness or to just carve it deeper to get the lighting effect?

[cnsranch]

Start here - should answer some of your questions:

http://forum.carvewright.com/showthr...ighlight=worth

[lynnfrwd]

I would be remiss not to point out that MY favorite source for material to make lithophanes would be HERE:

http://store.carvewright.com/home.php?cat=259

wink!!

[pjfiedler]

Start here - should answer some of your questions:

http://forum.carvewright.com/showthr...ighlight=worth

Thanks, but already reviewed that. He used 1/2" corian and carved to a depth of 0.4". Sounds like a lot of carving and waste created by the machine. I didn't see anything on what other cutting tools that could be used get the pieces ready for the carver. Also looking for opinions on ripping 1/2" material down to 1/4" or should I just deal with the extra time/wear-n-tear of carving deeper into the 1/2" material.

Thanks

[cnsranch]

My guess is that the only way to take 1/2" Corian down to 1/4" is to run it thru a band saw, and re saw it. Table saw wouldn't be prudent, unless you don't care to keep your fingers.

Some have used a planer, but, obviously, you lose the use of what the planer's shaving away.

Your original question was...

"is it better to cut/rip a 1/2" piece down to 1/4" thickness or to just carve it deeper to get the lighting effect?"

My answer is that it's better to carve it deeper than try and cut/rip it (unless you have the appropriate band saw).

A palm sander with, say, 120 grit paper will sand away the blade's marks if you do re-saw.

[hstottle]

I use high density polyethylene sheeting, it carves nicely but it's messy. Its comes in different colors and it's alot cheaper then corian
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...3869&catid=705

[CarverJerry]

Try searching the word corian and put quotes around the word "corian" or try this link... http://forum.carvewright.com/showthr...ghlight=corian

CJ