Buying plastic for building enclosures?

I've used plywood for enclosures before, but I want to use plastic instead so I don't have to worry about sealing it, painting it, etc.

HDPE Plastic like used in vision cages can be bought in 4'x8' sheets, and seems perfect - except I have to order it, and it's really expensive!

Does anyone have any advice on alternatives or where to obtain sheets of opaque (preferably black) plastic that can be screwed into, is thick enough to make into a tank / box, etc. I'd really like to be able to pick something up at home depot or something so I don't have to ship oversized sheets like this, but I'm not sure that's feasible. I could get multiple of smaller sheets, but this doesn't appear to save money.

Any ideas? In a perfect world, I could run to Lowe's and grab a 4'x8' sheet of HDPE that is 1/4" or 1/2" thick that is black in color for $40, but this doesn't appear to be possible. :(

You can try both of these companies that sell plastic. Their sites have a locator maybe you have location close by..

http://www.lairdplastics.com/
http://www.piedmontplastics.com/prodgroup.asp

I've been using 1/2" expanded PVC and it's really easy to work with. You're looking at $90-$110 for a 4 x 8 sheet.

Check www.thomasnet.com. It has a list of suppliers for the whole country.
I have found 1/2" 4'x8' sheets of EPVC for $75.
Trey

I have done some research in the past and found a few companies that would send you pre cut pieces. I will see if I can find the link again because I need to build about 5 new enclosures!

Most plastic companies will cut to your specs for a few extra bucks. Mine charges $10 and the last time they did bout 12 cuts.

Jamie

Great, thanks, I'll look around - PVC sheets seem like a good way to go. Much, much cheaper than HDPE, which I don't really need.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...oduct_id=10432

I was looking at that last site, looks very expenisve