> Take a trip to the newspaper printing office and get some used printing
> plates. They are a bit inky to handle, the ink will get all over you, but
> they are very thin, stable to slide into the slits. You can cut to fit with
> good scissors.
> Cut a bevel on the end that goes in first to prevent hanging on the sharp
> corners. I think you can remove the ink with mineral spirits on a rag.
>

I have used thousands of these aluminum  transfer plates on hive covers.
The ink is easily removed as noted (but you can still read the newsprint for
several years).   But, the edges will not be good for sliding, even with the
bevel suggested.  I suggest that you fold one edge.  You will see that two
edges of the sheet already have  a fold to reinforce them.  You will have to
cut the sheet to the proper dimension, so you can only retain one fold.
They cut easily with just good scissors, and will fold easily as well with a
straight edge and a hammer.  Without the fold the edge is sharp and too
flimsy.  The sheet may also be a bit too thin for the application you want.
They have little stiffness.

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