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Thread: Thin Material For Guitar Picks

  1. #1

    Thin Material For Guitar Picks

    Hi All,
    Looking for a supplier of thin plastics to make guitar picks from. I would think you would be able to do these in Delrin, Acetal or celluloid sheeting. I have not been able to find anything under 1/8" thickness. In exploring sites that sell picks it looks like the sizes range from .38 mm to 1.22 mm which if I calculated correctly would be in the 1/32 of an inch range. I would greatly appreciate insight on where to get thinner materials particularly patterned or colored.

    Thanks,
    Bob Wilson

  2. #2
    Bob - Not trying to put a damper on things but I used to use a trade secret process I developed to produce guitar picks because I could not find what you are looking for - I hope someone else will be able to help you but to the best of my knowledge and experience I doubt it - Best of luck - FYI, I've been playing guitar for over 35 years - Dennis Brooker

  3. #3
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    try sourcing the plastic they use to make credit cards. might be some options there

  4. #4
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    PETG will work - you can get it in lots of thicknesses and its dirt cheap. Doesnt engrave well.
    Rodney Gold, Toker Bros trophies, Cape Town , South Africa :
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  5. #5
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    Shred some colored pellets of your favorite plastic, mix some colors together and heat them on a skillet... makes some cool patterns and you can cook them to the thickness you want by pouring a pre-determined amount of shavings into a pan of known dimensions. Viola! Your own cast sheets
    Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )

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  6. #6
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    The Rowmark ADA Alternative material comes in 1/32".



    Sammamish, WA

    Epilog Legend 24TT 45W, had a sign business for 17 years, now just doing laser work on the side.

    "One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop." G. Weilacher

    "The handyman's secret weapon - Duct Tape" R. Green

  7. #7
    Hey Robert, I do quite a few of these things, very popular item for me. Check out the Plastic Shim stock in some different machinist supply like MSC, and McMaster. Be cautious on the materials you choose though cant remember off the top of my head but one is a laser no no. anyways just jump on their site and order whatever thickness you want, from .002 on up, usually color coded too.
    Pinnacle M-25 25w, engravelab, autocadd 2002, GIMP photoeditor.

  8. #8
    Showing my age,

    The plastic cards Steak N Shake car hops used to put under windshields while you waited for your food was perfect for guitar picks!


    Marty
    Martin Boekers

    1 - Epilog Radius 25watt laser 1998
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    1 - Epilog Legend EXT36 75watt laser 2007
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    2 - Geo Knight K20S 16x20 Heat Press
    Geo Knight K Mug Press,
    Ricoh GX-7000 Dye Sub Printer
    Zerox Phaser 6360 Laser Printer
    numerous other tools and implements
    of distruction/distraction!

  9. #9
    Actually the ones that are my favorite are made from nylon.

    Marty
    Martin Boekers

    1 - Epilog Radius 25watt laser 1998
    1 - Epilog Legend EXT36 75watt laser 2005
    1 - Epilog Legend EXT36 75watt laser 2007
    1 - Epilog Fusion M2 32 120watt laser with camera 2015
    2 - Geo Knight K20S 16x20 Heat Press
    Geo Knight K Mug Press,
    Ricoh GX-7000 Dye Sub Printer
    Zerox Phaser 6360 Laser Printer
    numerous other tools and implements
    of distruction/distraction!

  10. #10
    I would cut them out of exotic hardwoods, sand and finish them.
    Mike Null

    St. Louis Laser, Inc.

    Trotec Speedy 300, 80 watt
    Gravograph IS400
    Woodworking shop CLTT and Laser Sublimation
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  11. #11
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    Hello Robert,
    Contact me about the plastics, I may be able to help. I run a little shop called TAP Plastics.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Anthony Javier View Post
    I run a little shop called TAP Plastics.
    Aware of TAP, now I would just like for you to define "run" (where's the "you lucky dog" smily...)
    Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )

    Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
    CAMaster Stinger CNC (25" x 36" x 5")
    USCutter 24" LaserPoint Vinyl Cutter
    Jet JWBS-18QT-3 18", 3HP bandsaw
    Robust Beauty 25"x52" wood lathe w/everything
    Jet BD-920W 9"x20" metal lathe
    Delta 18-900L 18" drill press

    Flame Polisher (ooooh, FIRE!)
    Freeware: InkScape, Paint.NET, DoubleCAD XT
    Paidware: Wacom Intuos4 (Large), CorelDRAW X5

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Anthony Javier View Post
    Hello Robert,
    Contact me about the plastics, I may be able to help. I run a little shop called TAP Plastics.
    You have a very catchy jingle..........
    Epilog Mini 24 - 45 Watt, Corel Draw X5, Wacom Intuos Tablet, Unengraved HP Laptop, with many more toys to come.....





    If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have one idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas... George B. Shaw

  14. #14
    Get some tortoise shell, makes the best picks. Illegal? Well only if you get caught but you would be surprised how many people use them. Doesnt make it anymore legal though I guess!! Dont know how they would be to engrave.
    If at first you don't succeed, look in the trash for the instructions.





  15. #15

    Smile Petg

    Hi

    I see that Rodney has suggested using PETG, just a quick question regarding this, does anyone know if you can do sublimation printing on PETG? This would be a good combination of material and technology if it did work.

    Thanks
    Alexa

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