Plastruct or Evergreen plastics

I have not used much of it, but I suspect there may be some differences between the lines? My LHS carries both brands and I am guessing this is the reason as they don't have a really large store. 

I have used both Evergreen and Plastruct styrene plastics,good results no negatve comments with either plastic, cement used on either plastic is Plastruct Plastic Weld. Note, I have also used this cement  to assemble Interrmountain and Red Caboose  freight car kits. Local hobby shop that I purchase from has a good supply of Evergreen Plastics products.

My hobby shop stocks both as well. I use them both interchangeably. I would check what's included in the display racks and get the one with the most variety. I suspect the differences are in the textured sheets rather than the basic shapes, rods, beams, tubes, etc.

Pete

In my opinion, it's not an either or proposition. The two lines have very little overlap. Evergreen is primarily sheets, strips and patterns. Plastruct is mainly shapes and specialty prefabs, more industrial. I understand it's a matter of cost for you. If I could only pick one line,  I would go Evergreen, but seriously consider getting Plastruct later.

Maybe you should get a catalog from each and ask your customers, see which way they lean.

Hey! Glad to see this post.

Either one...you know I will buy!

Plastruct I purchase windows & doors. Evergreen I purchase pattern sheets, mainly slate roof, if I had to choose what fits my needs for a local supplier, I would lean toward plastruct; but that's like a 51/49 split.

Thanks!

Roger

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

In my opinion, it's not an either or proposition. The two lines have very little overlap. Evergreen is primarily sheets, strips and patterns. Plastruct is mainly shapes and specialty prefabs, more industrial. I understand it's a matter of cost for you. If I could only pick one line,  I would go Evergreen, but seriously consider getting Plastruct later.

Maybe you should get a catalog from each and ask your customers, see which way they lean.

I would very much second this approach.  I use both, but I know it's not cheap for a hobby store to stock these items.

Good for you for wanting to offer one of them!

George

First of all, Plastruct is primarily ABS plastic which is tougher and more conducive to commercial models. Both companies make structural shapes, e.g., I-beams, H-beams, C-channel, etc., but Plastruct makes some larger sizes. Plastruct makes an entire line of miniature pipe and pipe fittings. They make pre-fab ladders and stairs. I you were going to build a model refinery, most of the equipment would be Plastruct, while buildings, walls, supports or foundations could be from either company. For building model structures and houses, Evergreen would be the choice since their line of siding and paneling is excellent. I hope this helps.

Well, actually Plastruct makes strip plastic in both ABS and styrene.  We (LHS) sell both....as well as Evergreen (styrene).  I can't say that one is preferred by our customers over another when it comes to basic strip and plain sheet plastics. 

However, Plastruct has a vast product line that goes well beyond the basics....getting a copy of their catalog or spending some time on their website will reveal just how extensive their product line really is.  We can't possibly stock all of it, but we have a group of distributors...as well as direct...that support our/their needs.

I will say that, as a retailer/LHS, having a stock of strip/sheet plastic is essential.  We sell a lot!  I know....I'm the one who weekly orders the re-stock!!! And it's not just model railroaders who work with these materials.  Gamers, builders of static models (military, ships, planes, automotive, architecture, etc.) also have found this to be a  versatile, easy to fabricate/finish, affordable medium.

I'm old enough to remember that a chap by the name of Alan Armitage, whose modeling with sheet/strip styrene was incredible for its time, probably was as much the published (Model Railroader, Model Railroad Craftsman, et al) pioneer as anyone.  That was about 50 years ago!!  Alan Armitage created a primer on the use of plastics for modelers....and it's still available through the Evergreen folks! 

FWIW, always...

KD

If you need large sleets of styrene, go to Walmart, Lowes, etc. and get "For Sale" signs.

These signs are low cost, and are .025" to .125" thick.  I use them for  walls of buildings, building floors, diesel engine slug bodies, etc.  BUT I use the good Plastruct/Evergreen styrene on area's that show.

dkdkrd posted:

Well, actually Plastruct makes strip plastic in both ABS and styrene.  KD

Thanks - that's what I thought - I was buying the Plastruct strip styrene for inclusion in one of my kits a few years ago. 

And just to add another line into the mix, don't forget the various sheets from JTT.  They are quite nice and useful.  All three lines have different sheets and sizes of the corrugations so you can get different effects on a structure.  JTT also has V groove tin roofing as well as shingles.

George Lasley

I would say stock both. There are lots of products between the two that other don't have and gives a greater selection with both. Start with one then get the other. Well worth the time. For building projects.

I believe the foggy head remembers different colors of styrene sheet from Evergreen as well as clear,  window material.  

Andrew:

Along with styrene, and ABS Plastruct also sells the following:

Styrene and ABS glues - bondene and plasticweld both of which are excellent glues

K&S Brass

Midwest Basswood and Balsawood

Books, kits, motors, gears etc.

Joe

Stock both materials. Give the customers as much selection as possible.

Alan Graziano