Gallery, Projects and General > Project Logs
New Curtains and Windows
awemawson:
I know this sounds daft, but:
The sequence of removing / replacing had to be carefully thought out as you have to reach through the door window opening in the 'closed' position to get at the side windows. I went through the sequence, and then thought - check those are tight, and tried to put my hand through the now glazed door :bang: Obviously it was so clear I wasn't conscious of it :ddb:
The other plonker moment was when I fitted the first window (left side by the tool turret) having peeled off the paper protective layer, and thought - oh heck look at those scratches - little realising that there was another transparent film on the other side on which were the scratches :bang:
awemawson:
Definite case of Deja-vu here as I find myself once more (after 6 years) replacing the Polycarbonate windows in the Partsmaster CNC Mill.
I've been using it today to rough profile soft jaws for the Beaver TC20 lathe, and decided that enough was enough - time to change them again.
They have suffered stress cracks radiating from where the screws fix them, and no doubt the coolant hasn't helped. I know that polycarbonate if dipped in IPA solvent will crack at the drop of a hat.
So I fired off and order for a further four 'cut to size' bits of 4 mm which should be here in a day or two, but how to avoid the cracks in the future?
I know that things were a bit tight when I originally fitted them, so at the very least I will use larger clearance holes, but should I do more? Perhaps fit 'top hat' shoulder washers so there is no compression on the sheets, or maybe fit rubber washers to the same end ?
. . . suggestions please :scratch:
seadog:
Maybe the problem is one of the hole surface finish. If it's drilled and is rough then there are lots of stress raisers.Isn't acetone used to put a gloss finish back on polycarbonate? Maybe you could contrive to reflow the surface of the holes.
awemawson:
Seadog,
Acetone will dissolve Polycarbonate sheet iirc but IPA will shatter it. I've often wondered why rioters haven't discovered this trick - a little perfume spray bottle with suitable solvent - quick spray on a riot shield, then one tap and it shatters :lol:
I think I'm going for larger holes (so more play) with nylon shoulder washers whose spigot is either slightly longer than the sheet is thick, or 2 mm longer topped by a 1.5 mm thick rubber washer so that the sheets 'float' but are contained.
vintageandclassicrepairs:
Hi Andrew,
My experiences of drilling holes in polycarbonate has never been good :(
I changed tactics and use a soldering iron to melt the holes in the sheet
the excess "melt" is easily cleaned off when it has cooled
Oversize holes and rubber / nylon washers will surely help too
John
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