Re: [bolger] Thickness of Lexan?
I used 1/8" Lexan, bought on Ebay, on my Micro Navigator,
and think it is at least ten times stronger than 1/4" plywood.
It does flex a bit, and that bothered me at first, but it
doesn't bother me any more.
and think it is at least ten times stronger than 1/4" plywood.
It does flex a bit, and that bothered me at first, but it
doesn't bother me any more.
> GarthAB
> What thickness of Lexan should I use on Cormorant's windows?
Garth -
I used 3/16 Lexan on my micro which was overkill. This year, I
installed 1/8 in my Cape Cod Catboat. It has been fine all season
long. A lot depends on how you plan to install and seal it.
On Micro, I cut the Lexan about 1" larger than the hole and then
screwed it in place with 3/4" stainless steel machine screws and
nuts. I think I used RTV silicone sealant as a bedding compound, but
may have used a polysulfide sealant (I honestly can't remember).
The point was that I wanted to be able to replace the portlights
eventually if they got scratched or broken (unlikely).
On the catboat, I placed the lexan in a rubber gasket and simply
pressed the gasket closed. No leaks to date, and it is plenty
strong. Size of the Lexan was chosen to match the gasket.
All materials were purchased from a local glass company.
Hope that is helpful
David Jost
I used 3/16 Lexan on my micro which was overkill. This year, I
installed 1/8 in my Cape Cod Catboat. It has been fine all season
long. A lot depends on how you plan to install and seal it.
On Micro, I cut the Lexan about 1" larger than the hole and then
screwed it in place with 3/4" stainless steel machine screws and
nuts. I think I used RTV silicone sealant as a bedding compound, but
may have used a polysulfide sealant (I honestly can't remember).
The point was that I wanted to be able to replace the portlights
eventually if they got scratched or broken (unlikely).
On the catboat, I placed the lexan in a rubber gasket and simply
pressed the gasket closed. No leaks to date, and it is plenty
strong. Size of the Lexan was chosen to match the gasket.
All materials were purchased from a local glass company.
Hope that is helpful
David Jost
I would think that 3/32" (0.093") would be fine for a 10" span. The windows
on my Cessna are 1/8" (0.125") for ~14" squares and are Plexiglas/Lucite.
The problem isn't strength, it's "oil-canning" (noise). If your frame put a
slight bow in the Lexan it would be better yet.
For my Chebacco I found 3/16" and 1/4" on e-bay at reasonable prices.
That's for glazing the front of the "hard dodger" with panes about 24"
square. 2' x 4' sheets for $26 each plus $15 shipping. (I got out-bid but
apparently the buyer welshed and I was runner up.)
Search for polycarbonate.
Roger
derbyrm@...
http://derbyrm.mystarband.net/default.htm
on my Cessna are 1/8" (0.125") for ~14" squares and are Plexiglas/Lucite.
The problem isn't strength, it's "oil-canning" (noise). If your frame put a
slight bow in the Lexan it would be better yet.
For my Chebacco I found 3/16" and 1/4" on e-bay at reasonable prices.
That's for glazing the front of the "hard dodger" with panes about 24"
square. 2' x 4' sheets for $26 each plus $15 shipping. (I got out-bid but
apparently the buyer welshed and I was runner up.)
Search for polycarbonate.
Roger
derbyrm@...
http://derbyrm.mystarband.net/default.htm
----- Original Message -----
From: "GarthAB" <garth@...>
> What thickness of Lexan should I use on Cormorant's windows? I'll have
> oval openings about 14" long and 10" high. I went to Home Depot today
> and they only have a 0.093" thickness. They did say it was "200 times
> stronger than glass" and I imagine most days that thin sheet would do
> fine -- but being a "worst-case-scenario" kind of guy, I'd like to get
> something really strong. I recall people on this list discussing 1/4"
> and 3/8". Where do you get it? Any online ordering places?
What thickness of Lexan should I use on Cormorant's windows? I'll have
oval openings about 14" long and 10" high. I went to Home Depot today
and they only have a 0.093" thickness. They did say it was "200 times
stronger than glass" and I imagine most days that thin sheet would do
fine -- but being a "worst-case-scenario" kind of guy, I'd like to get
something really strong. I recall people on this list discussing 1/4"
and 3/8". Where do you get it? Any online ordering places?
All best,
Garth
(ready to flip the big bird upright, next weekend)
oval openings about 14" long and 10" high. I went to Home Depot today
and they only have a 0.093" thickness. They did say it was "200 times
stronger than glass" and I imagine most days that thin sheet would do
fine -- but being a "worst-case-scenario" kind of guy, I'd like to get
something really strong. I recall people on this list discussing 1/4"
and 3/8". Where do you get it? Any online ordering places?
All best,
Garth
(ready to flip the big bird upright, next weekend)