Perspex question

[Tim M]

I want to make a windscreen for the Osprey. What thickness Perspex should I use - is 3mm going to be a: thick enough for the job b: easy to bend to shape with a heat gun.

Also, I have seen windscreens with flexable black U shaped stuff that goes round to cover/protect the edge. What is this called?

[Limey Linda]

This is not a simple project. Unless you know exactly what you are doing you will waste a lot of money. First; Perspex is not the ideal material as if it breaks it produces knife sharp edges, like glass. Polycarbonate is a better material but more difficult to form. My suggestion would be to use flat polycarb. or have it done professionaly. Polycarb. is also much stronger than Perspex( acrylic). Hope this helps.

[bedajim]

Hi

I used 3 mm polycarbonate; you can get different shades/colours etc

If you want to shape it the best way is to put it in an oven at 2oo C for 2 minutes and then place it over a former and hold it in place until cool (use oven gloves and best done when your wife/mother is out) if it’s no quite as you want it you can warm it again.

Try one of the off cuts first around a wine bottle as all ovens are different

And leave the film on the polycarbonate it may lift a little around the edges but will be fine.

[Kernow Buoy]

Tim
look for 'lexan' on ebay, couple of sellers there. 3mm should be fine I bought some 5mm and its too thick to bend easily, 3mm bends really easily even up to 90 degrees with a hot air gun, see if you can have a practice run first though, my demonstrator model is still in my shed!

[Tim M]

Ebay is was my intended source; theres a guy selling A3 sheets for £8 and hes local. I'll give 3mm a go

[Tim M]

Just bought a sheet - £12.02 with postage. There should be enough for a bit of practice first.

Does anyone know what the black plastic stuff I mentioned before is called?

[John Kennett]

Imaginatively enough, it's sometimes known as screen trim!

Motorbike shops sell it, but they might not do the length you need.

John

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Imaginatively enough, it's sometimes known as screen trim!

Motorbike shops sell it, but they might not do the length you need.

John

Exellent

[daveh]

Tim if you muck it up then give me a ring and I'll get my plastics man to do it for you - he would have done the bending and drilled holes for about the same price!

[Tim M]

Thanks Dave. Hopefully the bending shouldn't be toooo hard. I can just about drill a hole my self