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OK finnally, The Lexan windshield experiment

I did end up doing this by the way. Stock windsheild weighed in around 25 pounds. The replacement was like 5 pounds or something.
 
JK5 said:
I work with Lexan when making machine guarding. We use a table saw with a fine wood blade. There is no melting with this method. Cuts like butter too.
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I spicifically said "jig sawing", table saw speed is much greater and helps the cut from getting hot since you can feed the lexan through at a much greater rate and you dont have a non cut stroke like with a jig saw.
 
Cool...any pics???

Did you bend the corners???
I use a heat gun and a propane torch to bend the plastic.
 
A "Rotozip" drill saw does a real good job of cutting stuff like that, just make sure you are using the right sort of bit for it (there are bits for cutting wall tile or plastic). The tool is currently produced by "Bosch" under the "Rotozip" brand name and the basic tool costs around $100 at the hardware store, but I would strongly suggest you buy one of the "kits" that has the higher power motor and a lot of the accessories included, things that allow you to convert it into a grinder of sorts (it is not as good as a real angle grinder but it does good work anyway), a flexible drive shaft (not quite as flexible as a "Dremel" rig, but a lot more powerful), and usually it includes a circle cutter. The top of the line kit costs more than $200, but it is worth it.
 
My top is going to scrap. Flipped the K5. Making a full cage, using poly for the windshield. Will I get glare if I leave it flat? Should I put a slight bend in it like the factory windshield?
 
K10A'sBROinSLO said:
My top is going to scrap. Flipped the K5. Making a full cage, using poly for the windshield. Will I get glare if I leave it flat? Should I put a slight bend in it like the factory windshield?
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Glare will suck and it will be dirty all the tire. Lexan attracts dust. Be a man and wear some goggles:D
 
85mudblazin said:
Glare will suck and it will be dirty all the tire. Lexan attracts dust. Be a man and wear some goggles:D
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:D Sunglasses do fine for me, but the law frowns on not having a windshield...
 
K10A'sBROinSLO said:
:D Sunglasses do fine for me, but the law frowns on not having a windshield...
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Really? Around here all we have to have is windshield wipers (like that makes sense:haha: )
 
I haven't checked for sure...but it's CA, so I wasn't figuring I'd even bother. It ocurred to me that a motorcycle helmet would be nice if I were to remain WINDshieldless. Save my bean the next time I flip it too. :eek1:
 
in fla its illegal to drive with a broken windshield, but not without one...
 
Confedneck79K30 said:
in fla its illegal to drive with a broken windshield, but not without one...
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This is because a crack in the windshield will obscure vision, whereas a lack of a windshield does not.
 
ccatlett1984 said:
This is because a crack in the windshield will obscure vision, whereas a lack of a windshield does not.
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Except that you can't open your eyes at speed. :haha:
 
ccatlett1984 said:
This is because a crack in the windshield will obscure vision, whereas a lack of a windshield does not.
Click to expand...

sounds like that theory came from someone who hasn't been hit in the face my a dragon fly at 50mph....

nothin' like sitting up in a HMMWV turret in GTMO...

j
 
Does anyone have experience or reccommend a certain brand / type of cleaner? I've been using Powerhouse brand "glass wipes" and they do a good job of cleaning while on road trips, I'm just afraid to press hard so it takes a long time to clean the window.
`
Anyway, here's my review on using lexan so far...

Put in the polycarbonate windshield a month ago. Cut it out with a jig saw, easy to cut. I've put about 1600mi. on the truck, hit a bird w/ it yesterday @ speed and not even a scratch. No wipers- in the rain the visibility is better than glass w/o wipers. There's no bad streaks or scratches yet either, I'm sure I can get a lot more years out of the window. I also had side windows cut and plan on installing those soon.
 
I know this is an old thread but I am thinking about going this direction.

I would appreciate further input as to place you buy polycarbonate and sizes that you can buy it in or would need to buy it in. Also cost is always interesting.

Also, there was some input about "tear offs". Great idea but where do you get them, etc. Again costs would be of interest.

Also, there were questions about curving the poly to look like the OEM windshield. I know it's not street legal but would there be a way to use the old rubber "gasket" so it's not so noticeable to not being glass. Maybe make a frame that would fit inside the rubber gasket. Is the middle top to bottom support required for strength? You see where I am going with this.;)

I'm full of questions aren't I?:confused:

Your input, expertise and knowledge would be greatly appreciated.:bow:
 
I had a place here in Denver cut me a piece to fit my cage, wasn't speedy glass (which is a non scratch coating they put on) just poly I think? Anyway it was only 75.00 but it did attract the dust.
 
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