CatFan
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (baseballfatty) » | 7:48 PM 10/25/2009 |
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I used to bend plexiglass pretty often for safety shields for high-voltage electronics at work. Mine were ugly and never got any prettier. It's not easy.
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cyclone70
Too few lakes,Too many jetskis
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (baseballfatty) » | 11:10 AM 10/27/2009 |
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You will need a large enough oven to let the lexan sit for a couple hours at a lower
temp if you are going to heat to bend it.Lexan can actually absorb moisture and it needs to be baked out or it will bubble when heated to the point where it will bend.
You should be able to find it already tinted.If not i can post a link of a couple places that can ship it to you.
SOCIALISM IS NOT THE ANSWER
TYLER W.
PROCRAFT 170B/FORCE 120
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baseballfatty
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Northport AL
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (cyclone70) » | 4:19 PM 10/27/2009 |
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Would it be safe to do it in my oven at home?
Northport Bass Club
1989 Pro Craft 1950V
1990 Johnson 200 GT
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cyclone70
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (baseballfatty) » | 5:36 PM 10/27/2009 |
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Maybe with the windows open and a fan.
It will smell
SOCIALISM IS NOT THE ANSWER
TYLER W.
PROCRAFT 170B/FORCE 120
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Superpro
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Pittsburgh pa
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (baseballfatty) » | 5:41 PM 10/28/2009 |
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Your wife is not going to like it! 
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baseballfatty
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Northport AL
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (Superpro) » | 10:18 AM 10/30/2009 |
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I'll make her like it!we all know thats not true
Northport Bass Club
1989 Pro Craft 1950V
1990 Johnson 200 GT
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CatFan
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (baseballfatty) » | 11:37 AM 10/30/2009 |
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| Quote, originally posted by baseballfatty » | | I'll make her like it! we all know thats not true
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So she doesn't have internet access, or are you suicidal? 
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jaws101
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (CatFan) » | 8:51 PM 11/1/2009 |
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We used to bend Lexan in the break "cold" for our rear spoilers on the race cars. But it is more expensive.   Director:I-BASS Tournaments & Hawgz Bass Series @hawgz.com Pure Fishing:Field Staff
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baseballfatty
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (jaws101) » | 3:38 PM 11/2/2009 |
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No internet access at home at this time. I killed the computer. What do you mean we used to bend Lexan in the break"cold"? Is that a type of machine or you just did in when it was cold outside?
Northport Bass Club
1989 Pro Craft 1950V
1990 Johnson 200 GT
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swamptoad
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Coral Springs Fl
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (baseballfatty) » | 10:51 AM 11/11/2009 |
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If you have the polycarbonate sheet (lexan), you will need to thermoform it to get a nice result. Thin sheet will be easier to work with. Now doing that at home will not be easy because PC sheet begins to melt at 430-450 degrees and it cools rapidly. Also, the polycarbonate might have to dried at 250 degrees for 3-4 hours before melting. You can try a piece first to make sure. If bubbles develop - you will need to dry the sheet. Typically, the sheet edges are held by clamps on a frame horizontally above the heat source. When the melting PC sheet begins to sag lower in the center, you lower it into a mold. Vacuum and cooling water sets up the PC. For at home, you will need a clamshell mold (you can make it out of wood and fibraglass) top and bottom. Once the sheet is molten, lay it out in the bottom mold, put the top down on it and clamp it with vices. Let it cool, then break open the mold. Spray mold release liberally in the mold before using.
There are probably other ways to accomplish the molding. This is one example.
PS - I have worked in PC sheet and thermoforming manufacturing for 20+ years.
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swamptoad
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (baseballfatty) » | 10:55 AM 11/11/2009 |
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He is probably refering to a metal brake. It is used to bend sheet metal in factories.
If you bend PC in this way without heat, it "crazes" the plastic ( makes it turn white) and weakens it.
Just my .02
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swamptoad
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Coral Springs Fl
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (baseballfatty) » | 11:01 AM 11/11/2009 |
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Would it be safe to do it in my oven at home?Use an old gas grill outside. If you can build a sheetmetal box above the heat, it might work.
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baseballfatty
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Northport AL
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (swamptoad) » | 4:08 PM 11/11/2009 |
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That sounds like a lot of work!! I think I'll just order them from someone who make them.
Northport Bass Club
1989 Pro Craft 1950V
1990 Johnson 200 GT
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swamptoad
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| Re: Pro Craft Windshields (baseballfatty) » | 4:52 PM 11/11/2009 |
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good idea
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