Acrylic washboards - the quotes are in.....

MoodySabre

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.......but which to choose?

I sent them each a detailed spec for 2 piece washboards with a vent . Prices are delivered. 12mm with edges made up to 22mm.

SeaClear £290 - 3 weeks
Eagle Windows £318 - 1-2 weeks
Project Plastics £205 - deliv quoted on order
Hadlow - £215 - 3 weeks

The first 3 responded within 24 hours but Hadlow took a week after being reminded. Hadlow did suggested a stepped rebate between the two rather than a 45deg cut to avoid a sharp edge (sensible).
 
No point in getting quotes unless you go for the lowest, unless there is some reason to avoid them. In which case why get the quote in the first place.

Project Plastics are in your neck of the woods aren't they. I think they are the people who made my windows but not absolutely sure.
 
It's not about the lowest necessarily. Hadlow came up with a good idea. Project will fit a vent but I have to buy it and send it to them (cost but not effort built into price above). All far enough away to make £15 delivery worthwhile.

If someone here told me tales of woes about one then price is irrelevant - £200 for an inferior product is poor value for money.
 
.......but which to choose?

I sent them each a detailed spec for 2 piece washboards with a vent . Prices are delivered. 12mm with edges made up to 22mm.

SeaClear £290 - 3 weeks
Eagle Windows £318 - 1-2 weeks
Project Plastics £205 - deliv quoted on order
Hadlow - £215 - 3 weeks

The first 3 responded within 24 hours but Hadlow took a week after being reminded. Hadlow did suggested a stepped rebate between the two rather than a 45deg cut to avoid a sharp edge (sensible).

Have you tried C&J International Windows?

I had my hatches re-glazed by them at a better price than others quoted. The work was excellent.
 
It's not about the lowest necessarily. Hadlow came up with a good idea. Project will fit a vent but I have to buy it and send it to them (cost but not effort built into price above). All far enough away to make £15 delivery worthwhile.

If someone here told me tales of woes about one then price is irrelevant - £200 for an inferior product is poor value for money.

I dont think I have heard any "tales of woe about any of those.

You could also have tried TP Marine formerly Talking Plastics (although there was some doubt about them still being in business)

or Sunlight Plastics They are Ok I believe.

Or UK Plastics Fabrications also in Colchester
 
.......but which to choose?

I sent them each a detailed spec for 2 piece washboards with a vent . Prices are delivered. 12mm with edges made up to 22mm.

SeaClear £290 - 3 weeks
Eagle Windows £318 - 1-2 weeks
Project Plastics £205 - deliv quoted on order
Hadlow - £215 - 3 weeks

The first 3 responded within 24 hours but Hadlow took a week after being reminded. Hadlow did suggested a stepped rebate between the two rather than a 45deg cut to avoid a sharp edge (sensible).

The sharp edge could also be rounded off. But if no price difference between a rebate and a 45 degree cut then a rebate would seem the better option and probably less prone to chipping.
 
FWIW, my own washboards are made from 12mm smokey acrylic.

The rebate for the top board is formed simply by screwing a piece of 12mm teak on the outside over the bottom edge.

Ventilation in the bottom board is provided by two adjacent 19mm holes in the centre, which are covered on the outside by a half-hood of teak about 100mm long with small side panels, all screwed on from the inside, which also doubles as a lifting handle.

As you're going to have to do a little work yourself to fit the lock latches etc, why not go down this route?

Cutting sheet acrylic, chamfering or de-arrissing the edges and boring a couple of holes in it - all this cannot cost £200 or more!
 
Roger

As mentioned before I went here:

http://www.edplastics.co.uk/

Not a boaty place but I made a ply template and they cut it to order. I then fitted the vent and lock myself. They did cut a 45 deg angle and smoothed off the sharp edges.

(I did get them in 24 hrs but they had to re do them as the 45deg angle was facing inwards :rolleyes:)

They made another set at their own expense.

Cost was about £130 iirc.

Why not give them a call to discuss what they can do for you?
 
Wot Babylon says
Teak lipping protects the vulnerable edge when enthusiastic crew slam dunk the boards down onto the seat edge inadvertedly
 
Sorry but I can't remember the name but an everyday plastics firm made mine in a very nice green tint, complete with supplied vent and lock for £80, whilst I waited.
 
Your local signmakers will stock acrylic and cut it every day, it is only flat sheet to match a template and the size you need will probably come out of scrap, worth a trip to a nearby industrial estate with £50 quid in your back pocket.
 
Your local signmakers will stock acrylic and cut it every day, it is only flat sheet to match a template and the size you need will probably come out of scrap, worth a trip to a nearby industrial estate with £50 quid in your back pocket.

second that, those quotes are ridiculous and the timescales? For a professional with all the tools at hand it can't be more than 30 mins work. :mad:
 
£99/sqm for 10mm acryllic.

So it looks like the 1500mm x 600mm sheet of Acrycast I bought from a fellow Leisure owner for £30 was a good deal then? :)

He told me that he cut it with a circular saw with a fine blade fitted. I have just got to summon up the nerve to do it. :eek:
 
Try http://ukplasticfabrication.co.uk/index.html just around the corner from project plastics in Colchester they made my washboards for me and they ere a lot cheaper than elsewhere.

Find the cafe and they are at the back, chap runs the plastic works and wife runs the cafe. He was great when I dealt with him a few years ago.

I think you will find they are several miles apart on opposite sides of Colchester now

.
 
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