Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 22:14:58 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Strengthening mat board


I'd say try Lexan (polycarbonate, which is totally unbreakable, yet 
still has a good deal of flex. We use 1/16" for large figures and 
thinner (.05 mil) for smaller figures or pieces. You can paint it with 
Krylon spray paints.

Stephen
On Mar 14, 2006, at 9:54 PM, Daniel McGuire wrote:

> Folks,
>
> I'm building shadow puppets. I'm using a new kind of desktop laser to
> cut the many holes. Traditionally, wayang are made of parchment - ie
> leather, but the laser has problems cutting leather . I wonder if there
> is a way to strengthen mat board materials. I understand that persimmon
> juice is used in Japan to waterproof and strengthen paper used for
> stencils, but I cannot find a source for it here in the states. I
> wonder if linseed oil would be at all helpful. Mat board is both a bit
> too rigid and to fragile - fold it more than 30 degrees it breaks and
> rips. I wonder if sandwiching Tyvek between two pieces of board might
> work better - it would be certainly have more tensile strength, and be
> harder to rip.
>
> Plastics seems to be where I am headed - but it too can be brittle.
>
> In short, I'm looking for something that is tough like leather,
> flexible like leather, perhaps translucent like leather, but ain't
> leather.
>
> Suggestions?
>
> Cheers,
> DMCG
>
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