Cutting perspex for a windscreen

[paulmonaghan]

Hi
I am looking for a sheet of 3mm perspex to be cut into an arc shape to make a basic windscreen for my speedboat.
Most of the companies I have contacted will cut to size but cant cut curves etc.
Can anyone recommend a firm who might do this work?
Dimensions are roughly 2600mm wide by 370mm high. I have a scale drawing with exact maesurements if required.
Cheers

 

[DAKA]

depending on the amount of bend you need polycarbonate is more flexible and less forgiving for DIY use.
If you are lucky jfm will be along soon and will detail how easy Perspex is to bend yourself although I havnet tried it yet.

 

[fergie_mac66]

Hi
I am looking for a sheet of 3mm perspex to be cut into an arc shape to make a basic windscreen for my speedboat.
Most of the companies I have contacted will cut to size but cant cut curves etc.
Can anyone recommend a firm who might do this work?
Dimensions are roughly 2600mm wide by 370mm high. I have a scale drawing with exact maesurements if required.
Cheers

I somewtimes use acrilic and polycarb Both cut easyly with a fine blade in a bandsaw a lot of joiners have bandsaws ask around close to you

 

[burgundyben]

I've done all mine with a jig saw using a fine blade, take it steady and dont let the blade get to hot.

Perspex - ie acrylic has better scratch resistance.

Polycarbonate - ie Makrilon is better for cold bending and less breakable.

 

[moonraker 36]

3mm will bend really easy.
second what burgundyden said acrylic wont scratch as easy,but may craze after along period.

 

[paulmonaghan]

Ok cheers guys - I`ll let you know how it goes

 

[VicS]

I assume you are concerned about bending the perspex into a curve rather than cutting curves ?

Some suppliers will use the old window or screen as a former to "drape mould" a new one to the required shape

Two of my side windows were drape moulded using the old ones as patterns.

Some people claim to be able to heat the material with a hot air gun and bend it to the required shape

 

[jfm]

For those dimensions 3mm is way too thin. You need 5mm or 6mm

 

[moonraker 36]

3-6mm will be fine.
3mm will do if thats what you've got.
when you bend it, it will become ridged anyway.

 

[paulmonaghan]

The flat shape I need is an arc - the top section of a circle. This will in turn be bent into a curved shape and secured along its bottom edge.

I`ve been told that anything thicker than 3mm will be hard to take the curved shape.

If necessary I can add a couple of internel supports when fitting.

I dont have the original screen to use as a template, and the boat is unidentified so I cant look for an original replacement.

The boat only cost a few hundred quid so dont want to go to great expense.

Cheers

 

[jfm]

I`ve been told that anything thicker than 3mm will be hard to take the curved shape.

That's bolx. Your screen has the typical banana shape when flat, and 5mm will bend very nicely (in the sun/warm day/workshop heated to say 18deg). Done this loads of times.

Is the top edge bare perspex or supported in a metal frame? If it is bare edge you definitely need the 5mm else it will bust when your mates/guests/passengers use the top edge as a handle stepping in/out of the boat (and i assure you they will). If it fits in a supporting metal frame then you will get away with 3mm if you want (the curvature will add stiffness) but I'd still use 5mm