There must be dozens of tricks that make scratchbuilding cheaper.

Here's one : try the plastic disposable plates. They are styrene.
For some applications, they are a perfect "body double" for sheet styrene, and they are much cheaper.
There's an easy test to check if it is real styrene : try a drop of styrene glue on them. If the plastic melts : you hit the jackpot !



If you have your own tricks : let's hear them !

Jan

Well Jan!
I use also the plastic from butter and all kind of groceries I also use the soda cans thin foil...
Just to add