Dockshootinjack saves me $230

Some may know I'm working on this project boat.
https://www.crappie.com/crappie/atta..._133257699-jpg

I ordered a $180 windshield (add $50 for shipping, doh). Well with all the little problems I've been sinking money into replacing things on this boat, I thought I'd try to make a windshield instead of ordering a new one. I remembered DSJ's comment about making one in my other thread.

Another thing that made me think twice about that new windshield was, sure it looked cool, all bat mobile like, but it took away the room on top that console. I thought that would be a good place to mount a fish finder (you can see a small one there now that came with the boat), and I could throw jigs there. That bubble top windshield covers that up are and takes away all access.

So I took some thinner plexiglass that I had just laying around, and it flexed nice. Hmm. Well, cutting it with the finest jig saw blade I had still splintered it up a bit, but I persisted, put tape around the edge, and wrapped it around the console, and it seemed to work, it did not shatter. I created a shape with cardboard so it had a nice angle, worked out kinda cool. I'll have to get some fresh plexiglass with the scratch tape still applied and do it again, maybe a little slower, and maybe with a new finer blade, and I think she'll be good to go.

Attachment 451078

I have it sitting in the sun learning it;s new form, and I'll actually screw it on to see how this "template" will be. Then I'll get some fresh plexiglas and do it right, hopefully.

Oh, I did cancel the new windshield btw. Each are custom made so it takes three or four months before you get it anyway!!!

You have skills. That will be awesome. Good hunt from DSJ. Great job

Mike

On the dash of your truck in the full sun would get mighty hot. A big pan of hot water will certainly make it flexible

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

On the dash of your truck in the full sun would get mighty hot. A big pan of hot water will certainly make it flexible

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Now you cost me!!!! Lol

I thought it was a great idea. So I move it to the passenger seat of my f250. It sitting there real nice and it's hot in this Florida sun. I make one small adjustment and snap! Oh well. But at least I got a plan.

Attachment 451079

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I already got another cut, this time no spider cracks at all. I duct tape and clear tape on both sides of where I was gonna cut, and cut real slow with the least vibration. Worked. Now I have it sitting in the bent shape in the passenger seat of the f250 getting baked in the Florida sun! I'll leave it there a day or two and see if it takes shape, or springs back! doh

Attachment 451083

Sometimes the fun in the project is figuring out how to make it work. Hope that gets it done for you

Here is a link on the subject from Iboats.

Bending plexiglass for curved windshield | Boating Forum - iboats Boating Forums

Lowes is a source of lexan if you choose that route

Looks very nice!

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Originally Posted by Slab

I already got another cut, this time no spider cracks at all. I duct tape and clear tape on both sides of where I was gonna cut, and cut real slow with the least vibration. Worked. Now I have it sitting in the bent shape in the passenger seat of the f250 getting baked in the Florida sun! I'll leave it there a day or two and see if it takes shape, or springs back! doh

Attachment 451083

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And my jigsaw cut is not as bad as that kindergarten drawn line looks on that plexiglass. That's just a reference line off the cardboard cutout I used to draft/design the windshield. It's ruff till it's cut!

A heat gun/ hair dryer maybe enough heat to bend.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Clear packing tape is believed to be a lubricant in the scroll saw community. It does add something to the cut. Who am I to argue.

Sounds like you just need to get a 4 wheeler helmet. Bada Bing Bada Boom ...problem solved....got a feeling DSJ has mad skills

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Lots of tinkering/repair/building experience on this board. And helpful people. Looking good there!

When I was in jr high, plastic was one of the shop classes I took. Lexan plexiglass was what we worked with. First off, you can cut it with most any saw with small sharp teeth and low vibration, which you’ve already found. Take a sanding block and work your way through the grits of sandpaper and even polish it with a buffers wheel and rouge. But here’s the cool part; at 230* it turns to rubber and you can do almost anything with even thick stuff til it cools, if you can hold onto it. If you can make a form for it to conform to and get it that hot, easy peasy to get the exact result you’re after. The heat gun thing could work also but you’d have to open a six pack of patience to get it all hot enough to work it. Lineal bends can be done with an oven element and a metal and wood frame to limit the heat transfer from being too wide. Understanding just a few things makes working with the stuff pretty easy.

This is my current list of goings on, on this restore.

Replaced


Fuel line
remote control cables
Steering cable
Steering rack
ignition
spark plugs
seat (added bouncy tractor seat for my bad back)
trolling motor wiring
water pump (impeller and housing)
Replaced drain, fill and vent screws inlower unit
trolling motor batteries
lower unit oil




Rebuilt


Fuel pump
Carbs


Compression checked, 125 125 125

To do:
Terrova, and livescope add.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

When I was in jr high, plastic was one of the shop classes I took. Lexan plexiglass was what we worked with. First off, you can cut it with most any saw with small sharp teeth and low vibration, which you’ve already found. Take a sanding block and work your way through the grits of sandpaper and even polish it with a buffers wheel and rouge. But here’s the cool part; at 230* it turns to rubber and you can do almost anything with even thick stuff til it cools, if you can hold onto it. If you can make a form for it to conform to and get it that hot, easy peasy to get the exact result you’re after. The heat gun thing could work also but you’d have to open a six pack of patience to get it all hot enough to work it. Lineal bends can be done with an oven element and a metal and wood frame to limit the heat transfer from being too wide. Understanding just a few things makes working with the stuff pretty easy.

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Very interesting. 230 degrees huh. good to know. Wonder if running a heat gun along the edges where I cut would smooth the edge, and maybe make them stronger before I drill for the mounting holes. hmmm

Attachment 451124

I have heard that if you use dishsoap when cutting
and drilling it makes for a happy ending.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

When I was in jr high, plastic was one of the shop classes I took. Lexan plexiglass was what we worked with. First off, you can cut it with most any saw with small sharp teeth and low vibration, which you’ve already found. Take a sanding block and work your way through the grits of sandpaper and even polish it with a buffers wheel and rouge. But here’s the cool part; at 230* it turns to rubber and you can do almost anything with even thick stuff til it cools, if you can hold onto it. If you can make a form for it to conform to and get it that hot, easy peasy to get the exact result you’re after. The heat gun thing could work also but you’d have to open a six pack of patience to get it all hot enough to work it. Lineal bends can be done with an oven element and a metal and wood frame to limit the heat transfer from being too wide. Understanding just a few things makes working with the stuff pretty easy.

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You're a genius Tim. Works like a charm. Heat gun melts it fast too. Wow, so my third test, may still be a test, but It'll at least get mounted. I painted it black, supposedly some see through black paint stuff I had laying around. We'll see how it looks when it dries.

now I am no expert on these things but, its a pretty small windshield height wise and not much in the way of protection best I can see , seems mostly aesthetic , maybe use the time elsewhere ? looks fine without it to me , just saying ....
could quite possibly save 230 and a bunch of time too .....

Perhaps you should sell raffle tickets for a ride on your boat when finished. Let's see

$14 Cost of 500 raffle tickets
$230 Cost of windshield by your estimate
$0 Cost of Autographed photo of Slab in his new toy

Total $244




BOTTOM LINE FIGURES......

$1,500 Profit from selling 500 raffle tickets at $3 each MINUS $244 in projected costs = Net Profit

Net profit
$1,256 to spend (You could put the winner up in a hotel for a day, as well as take them to dinner)
cost $400)

You have $856 left to get other parts for the boat. Sounds like a plan.


Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shipahoy41

Perhaps you should sell raffle tickets for a ride on your boat when finished. Let's see

$14 Cost of 500 raffle tickets
$230 Cost of windshield by your estimate
$0 Cost of Autographed photo of Slab in his new toy

Total $244




BOTTOM LINE FIGURES......

$1,500 Profit from selling 500 raffle tickets at $3 each MINUS $244 in projected costs = Net Profit

Net profit
$1,256 to spend (You could put the winner up in a hotel for a day, as well as take them to dinner)
cost $400)

You have $856 left to get other parts for the boat. Sounds like a plan.


Mike

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I think I'd still come up short. I think I already spent more than than the $856 on parts for that boat! lol, Ships always thinking though. :highfive

And I've cracked my fourth home made windshield already. Maybe I shoulda just spent the $230 for a brand new one!