For my purposes in model building, plexi, lexan and all their cousins call into the class of plexi.  For other purposes, plexi is more brittle and less durable, and there are newer materials out on the market all the time that do the same thing better.

 I keep a couple small pieces of salvaged plexi-scrap around in my model shop.  I especially like thin, 1/8" pieces.  I have used them to make model pieces of a glass topped patio table and impressionistic walls.  On a couple of occasions, when I've had trouble suspending a piece of scenery in my model that will hang in real life, I have used plexi to support it from below.  I try to hang pieces that will hang, but sometimes with theater in the round and other unique situations, the model will not allow suspension in a way that looks attractive.  

A dremel can be used to scuff the surface on plexi.  It leaves the surface cloudy white.  When I built my glass topped patio table, I used this effect, and then placed the still smooth side up, to imitate that rippled effect that is often present in that kind of table.  

 I'm sure this material has more model building uses that I have yet to discover.  It would be almost impossible to work with this material, however, without power tools. I usually cut it in my band saw.  Sometimes I take my miter saw to it, but it's a little scary.  The blade will sometimes bite in weird and wing plexi across the room.  I've seen similar things happen with plexi in a table saw.  It resulted in a very bruised hip for the carpenter involved.  So,  I like to stick with the band saw because it does the job well and doesn't seem as dangerous as far as throwing things at me.   

When cutting plexi, or any plastic kind of thing with a power tool, it is going to melt just enough to release some yucky fumes.  These are not healthy fumes, so I recommend wearing a respirator, especially with prolonged use. 

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