Windshield for Console

[mccabe]

Having broken the shield on my curved console I am wondering can I get a replacement easily and cheaply as the Rib company quoted about £120 which I thought seemed a bit steep for a small shield which wraps around the console and is only a few inches high.Is that the norm ?Will clear plastic/perspecs be too brittle to bend?Hope somebody can help thanks in advance.

[codprawn]

Perspex will bend if gently heated - either a hot air gun or cooking in an oven - be carefull though and practice on scraps first!

[slimtim]

mccabe,

here are a couple of links that might be of use. Never used either companies, nor do I know if they're cheaper than your £120 quote but its worth a try. Let me know if they're worth using cos I may need to in the not to distant future!

http://www.plancraft.co.uk/boat_services.htm

http://www.adventplastics.co.uk/pages/fabrication.htm

hope thats a help.

Tim

[Tim M]

A local manufacturing shop will probably do it for a lot less!

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Perspex will bend if gently heated - either a hot air gun or cooking in an ....

No it won't. You'll need to raise it's temperature to about 180°c. You can do a small area using a hot air gun but heating the whole screen is not feasible. If you were to use an oven, (a fkin big oven for a windscreen) the perspex would come out like a big floppy wobbly thing and you'd find it impossible to handle. This method is used when there is a former to drape, clamp or suck the perspex over.

If the curve is gentle, you may be able to ease a sheet around clamping as you go.

A alternative, which is very unlikely to break, ever, is polycarbonate. It's more expensive, softer but incredibly tough. You would be able to bend a piece of this a considerable distance. It is possible to bend double a 3mm thickness.

Have fun.

[Mark Halliday]

Try your local sign maker.

The one near me throws out bits big enough to make a screen. Ask if you can rummage in their scrap bin, and offer a few quid for anything you find.
If you are lucky you may find a bit of Lexan which is the stuff Riot Shields are made from.

As JW says, a hot air paint stripper can be used to put a bend in as you clamp or screw it on. Choose a hot calm day if doing it outside.
Use the old screen as a template to cut it to shape & size.

[wetterthebetter]

..this one made and fiited by Mr Wills of Bonwitco (Kingsbridge) this week. Not cheap, but delighted with the workmanship and value for money!

[Mark Halliday]

Originally Posted by wetterthebetter

this one made and fiited by Mr Wills of Bonwitco (Kingsbridge) this week. Not cheap, but delighted with the workmanship and value for money!

Coooo............. really clear plastic. I can only see the background.