Forced to make a purchase

[Goondoo]

Been looking for a piece of black acrylic do DIY a "IOS" for my secret project. I had went many hardware stores and LFS and understand not many sell them, for the handfull that did, the price was ridiculous. Saw this company specialised in acrylic sheets from google and paid them a visit. My friend gave me a 2 footer for my experiment but I had yet collected it. My original plan was just to look around and find out the prices before deciding if I should proceed with the project.
Today's visit was a total bad move. Upon reaching the "workshop"(they are big, having at least 4 workshops, some combined), I was greeted by a nice china man with a small bow. I briefly mention my intention as I don't want to misled them as a big client. He smiled and guide me to the second storey. When I stepped in, there were another two ladies that guided me to a station where I was again served by warm smile. Drinks were served immediately and ask if I wanted any pastries which I decline. I told the sales lady I am only finding out the price and she still served me whole heartedly explaining to me the difference etc. They sell pretty nice holders for T5 tubes and she bring me around knowing I am not buying anything and even if I do, nothing more than one foot square of acrylic sheet.
I feel very very bad for the time and patience they had given me and my conscience force me to make my purchase without measuring the exact size (I know I will regret later). Worst of all, they give me a free give for a $7 purchase.
This must be the best service I got in local stores. They might not be the cheapest in town but I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for any acrylic stuff for any DIY project. (they sell acrylic of up to 3 inch thick IIRC)

[Goondoo]

Dama Enterprise Pte Ltd
Blk 3029A Ubi Road 3
#01-98/99
Singapore 408661
www.dama.com.sg

[hwchoy]

wow you should inform AMEX

[StanChung]

Service laced with guilt? LOL.
Impressive 'soft sell' tactic. Word of mouth is sometimes better advertising.

[burpz]

All the good service, fine product, packaged in the price...

[Goondoo]

I feel that their service is excellent because of a good culture. Everyone in the office are adapted with a customer-oriented attitude compared to many local sales that only treat 99% confirmed customer with respect. They are big company, selling bulks of plastic materials. I do not think they serve many tiny walk-in customer like me.

They have strong system in placed to ensure conflicts are minimized. Such as the free gift, though a small little diary, need to be checked by their supervisor/manager and endorsed before handing over to me. Even the acrylic I bought was carefully inspected, measured by a supervisor/manager.

I must admit I despise most if not all services I had received in Singapore until Dama.

I had no chance to compare the prices since their competitions is scarce. I was at a LFS in Tampines and was quoted S$37 for a 4-5mm 2x2 ft clear acrylic. A signboard workshop quoted me S$8.50 for a 3mm 1x1ft black acrylic. Friends suggested Art Friends, but was a little too out of way.

Now I am still figuring how to trim the purchased.....

[burpz]

Saw, file, polish?

[Goondoo]

Saw, file, polish?

More of how to saw a straight line manually.

[burpz]

Use a scribe or penknife to draw a line, thereafter slowly and patiently saw. If it's not straight, that's where the file can come in. Thereafter, sandpaper and polish. heehee.... at most practice a few times...

[tonicwater]

I always get my acrylic sheets from Dama for my own projects and I find them to be fast and friendly. Their customer service is very nice, they have a lady which will ask you if you want coffee or tea and make it for you.

[Goondoo]

Use a scribe or penknife to draw a line, thereafter slowly and patiently saw. If it's not straight, that's where the file can come in. Thereafter, sandpaper and polish. heehee.... at most practice a few times...

What saw to use? Hack saw would be good but will have problem reaching after 3-4 inch, even if slanted maximum, I think still won't be easy. Wood saw would be horrible or disastrous even....

[limz_777]

upon request , do they cut the acrylic to size for you ?

[burpz]

Never tried this though...
Scoring tool: Scoring a piece of plastic sheet actually places a heavy scratch on the surface, creating a weakened area. Bend the piece of plastic, supporting the material just behind the score mark and Crack! You now have 2 pieces. This method of cutting plastic takes a little practice but is very easy to master. It works extremely well for 1/8 inch and ¼ inch material although the larger the piece is the greater the pressure you need to apply. I would not recommend it for large sheets or anything over ¼ inch thick as the break will tend to drift away from your score mark. Scoring tools are usually sold by your local friendly plastic store and will only cost a few dollars, it is an investment which will pay for itself in a very short time.

[BFG]

What saw to use? Hack saw would be good but will have problem reaching after 3-4 inch, even if slanted maximum, I think still won't be easy. Wood saw would be horrible or disastrous even....

Wow, use acrylic blade to cut acrylic.

[Goondoo]

upon request , do they cut the acrylic to size for you ?

I suspect they do, call to find out...

[Goondoo]

Wow, use acrylic blade to cut acrylic.

Is it something we can buy off DIY stores?

[Wackytpt]

Billy,

I think they might sell it in those DIY store.

[Goondoo]

Billy,

I think they might sell it in those DIY store.

Thanks, I will go check it out.

[David Moses Heng]

What saw to use? Hack saw would be good but will have problem reaching after 3-4 inch, even if slanted maximum, I think still won't be easy. Wood saw would be horrible or disastrous even....

Get the tamiya modelling knife or the tamiya scoring tool.

I always use it for my projects.

Plus a wooden plank is needed for prolonged cutting.

[David Moses Heng]

http://www.tamiya.com./english/produ...l/kit74001.htm

This tool, Item no74015 can be purchased at minature hobby(vivo and marina square), Mworkshop(sunshine plaza, bedemmer), hobby point(Tiong Bahru and century square) and hobby focus(far east). Extremely useful for cutting acrylic.