Don't bother to make your own rulers! Not a deal. . .
 

So yesterday, I went to my local plastics store because I wanted to have some rulers (templates) made. Large triangle, hexegon, and others were far more expensive than using my local Joanne's (50% off this week) or coupon. Interesting lesson that I thought I would share.

What needs to be remembered here is that this is your experience.

I have had several shapes/templates made at a local glass cutting shop, and have saved huge dollars. They have been cut in the same plastic/acrylic/plexiglass as our "official" quilting rulers, were accurately cut according to what I requested, with the edges buffed.

Of course, the drawback is that there are none of the 1/4" markings that come on the quilting rulers. However, often times that is not necessary.

i too have had numerous specialty rulers/ templates made with huge savings! sorry you did not find it to be cost effective. when i start (needing) some new/different templates or think of a new ruler i want i make a list & generally go in & have half a dozen to a dozen made at once- i pay less than i would for 1 at joannes or in any other retail shop. even using a coupon.

My friend had an 18 inch square cut at home depot for eight dollars. She loves it.

i had my specially sized DJ triangle cut, but, I agree about having the markings for most rulers.

I believe you can make permanent marks on plexiglass (acrylic) with both permanent markers (like Sharpie) and acrylic paint. Have not tried it though. http://www.ehow.com/how_8715686_write-plexiglass.html

Spraying alcohol on the permanent marker will take it off to if you don't want your lines on there anymore. :)

Thanks hpertula123 for the tip on how to get the permanent marker off. This Board is great!

I have my templates made with acryllic at the local plastics company and it really is cost effective. The downside is that they do NOT mark on the templates, which is fine with me. it has been a real pleasure working with them.

ali

Are the edges smooth when you have them cut?

Smooth and straight ... they buff them so they are not razor sharp.

I had my different size square acrylic rulers cut at auto glass repair shop. The price varied from $2 to $18 (26" square) . The edges are smooth. If the guy had scraps that would make the size I wanted he did those for free.

Wow! I never thought of going to a glass shop. my husband just cuts them for me in his workshop! I'll remember the glass shop next time tho, I would like to see how they turn out.

My husband is a retired engineer and he makes 95% of my templates and yes, the edges are smooth. If I had to buy them, I could not afford them.

I go to our local Lowes and buy a sheet of acrylic and have it cut into whatever size square up rulers I need. I then bring them home and mark with a sharpie. These work great and usually cost about $2-$3.

My husband has cut me several. We have used scraps from other projects for the smaller ones = FREE

ETA: I bought a 14.5 and an 18.5 for projects I was working on from the local glass place. I believe the two of them were $12 I can't hardly get a single ruler for that

I went to my local glass cutter (got plexi glass) had about 15 templates from a 12.5 inch square to 4 " triangles and the shapes of all the speciality 45 and 90 degree angles I studied all the high $ ones that are advertised i had him cut me a 26" inch 2.5 wide ruler BC i made a lot of 2.5 inch strips and had them all cut for $34.00 ... less than 2 would have cost me. I did find a rough edge or 2 not many but used a piece of sand paper to smooth it

Then Thanks to another quilter here found out I could buy plastic grid sheets I use double side sticky tape to apply mine are all marked now just like purchased ones
I saved lots of money eBay has the grid sheets cheap

if they are not you can use sand paper to smooth them out just be careful to keep it on the edge

Why would you, when you have a DH with the equipment to do so?
$ave the $$ for other things!

I too have made many of my own rulers... I use them all the time. If they are simple square or rectangle I cut them myself and have good luck doing that. I go to our plastics place here and pick up a few large pieces of "scrap" and cut my needed pieces from them. If I need a curved piece I have my husband cut it for me with his electric bandsaw. It's easy to buff the edges as well, just use very fine grit sandpaper and polish it carefully.

To make permanent markings on them I carefully align a metal rule excactly where I want it and use a scribe to make a scratch in the plastic... you have to be careful doing this as it is permanent... If you want to see that mark easily then simply go over the scratch with a fine tip sharpie.. Perfect rulers for pennies.

MARYLANE what does your husband use to cut the pexiglass, my husband tried to make me an extension table for my sewing mmachine to fit my table I use and the pexi started to melt on the cuts after a few inches. He says he will try again if I find out what everyone is using to cut with. I have allkinds of rulers and templates I want him to cut for me.

Yes, please let us know what you use to cut with as I know that you can melt the plastic if you don't use the correct blade. Thanks

I have used blue painters tape on clear rulers, including those already marked. This way I can mark the lines I'm using for a particular pattern and don't have to strain my eyes to figure out which line I'm aiming for each time.

I had some cut at the local hardware store. When I got home and cut some fabric found out they weren't the right size even though I had given him the measurements. Didn't think to check before I used them. Just trusted them to cut what I asked for. Also my edges weren't smooth.

Oh a 24 inch or 26 inch long 2 1/2 wide would be wonderful

I think with anything that is kind of a specialty you need to have a clear understanding of what the charges are up front. If they can't tell you then your at their mercy when it comes time to pay. Believe me this comes from experience (been there, got burned, learned my lesson).

There are plastic cutting blades made for most types of saws (circular, table, and jig saws all work for acrylics, even routers work) and lots of info on the internet on how to cut acrylics without melting, cracking, or scratching it.

Just gotta shop for the best deal to meet your needs

You DON'T WANT to put alcohol on plexiglass...it makes it cloudy. I speak from an expensive mistake that my DH made. He tried to "clean" it before he put it in the frame and it went all white where he wiped it.

A fine tip permanent marker will work.

Great ideas!

There are several types of plexiglass. I cut a lot of templates for myself with my scroll saw. I have used my band saw as well. The scroll saw does a little bit finer job. There are blades that have more teeth that are used for cutting plexiglass. I have had the plexi that melts also. My brother gives me his scraps of plexiglass - that works for me. The acrylic that I have purchased at Lowe's is not quite as thick but does an ok job. I think that the plexi runs around $100 for a 4' x 8' sheet at the glass store (tons of templates.) Like another member said, you can sand the plexi with fine grit sandpaper and it does a nice job.

HTH
Min

What do you mean by local plastics company? Am researching where to have templates cut. I read on one of the posts that Home Depot cut the acrylic. I'll definately have to ask them next time I'm in. Thank You!

My DH has cut several templates from plexiglass for me. One half sheet of plexiglass (4' X 4') will make a lot of templates. I have never had any templates cut by anyone else.

I need some made....care to make some templates for me, all sizes....

Please send me a private message!

I bought a 12"x18" piece of plastic at Lowes for about $6 and cut THREE different size twisters out of it. MYSELF. Just use a straightedge clamped down and the plexiglass knife (not expensive either) to cut groves in the plastic , then snap it. It comes off very smooth. Who needs a man?!?!?!

Unless you're lucky enough to have a son who is an architech and has acess to a laser cutter, he uses 1/8 to 1/4 inch plexi glass and can cut the sizes i need, including the 1/4 inch seam allowances is added on. I am so lucky, they come out beautiful

to grann of 6 You go girl, and what a boost to the ole self esteem.

And the local plastic shop like our local any shop needs patronage to feed the family. I often have used broken regular rulers for other purposes by cutting my own with a scroll saw. Just use real masking tape on both sides of the plastic, mark your line(s) and cut away. Remove masking tape. Buff with emory paper ( finest grit sand paper) Wipe with a microfiber cloth and back in business.

I like your signature! "Be kinder than necessary, everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."