New windows.

[Mudisox]

Our boat windows are now crazed and will need to be replaced next winter.
Suggestions and stockists please from any of you.
I also need to replace a plastic "porthole" about 8" in diameter.
Similar requirements please.

 

[VicS]

In the south there are a couple of people in the portsmouth area.

Talking Plastics in Horndean http://www.talkingplastics.com/

Sunlight plastics in Waterlooville www.sunlightplastics.co.uk

Further afield there has been good feedback about Eagle boat Windows in North yorkshire www.eagleboatwindows.co.uk

also Project plastics in Colchester www.projectplastics.co.uk

 

[eastcoastbernie]

Just done mine. Used Talking Plastics. Chose them because they were prepared to quote first. Sent them overall dimensions and a photo of the boat so they could see what they were quoting on BEFORE I took windows out of boat to send them as templates.

Other people I contacted would only quote once they had the windows to quote on. I didn't like that idea.

Talking Plastics seem an informative, friendly company but forumites who've read my posts will know I was not impressed when windows did not arrive in time. True, it might have been couriers who didn't deliver on a Friday afternoon, but when TP missed the opportunity to send the windows out on the Wednesday, they could have upgraded the Thursday delivery to a before noon Friday.

But windows look nice, all the holes in the right place, etc. So all worked out in the end.

 

[VicS]

I believe Neil_S used Sunlight Plastics and got very swift service. He reported back so a search should find his comments.

No need to search HERE in this thread.

 

[PCUK]

You can always buy the plastic and cut them yourself. Very easy using an orbital jigsaw, metal cutting blade and 3 in 1 oil as a lubricant.

 

[cliff]

[ QUOTE ]
You can always buy the plastic and cut them yourself. Very easy using an orbital jigsaw, metal cutting blade and 3 in 1 oil as a lubricant.

[/ QUOTE ]What pray tell is an orbital jigsaw? Do you perhaps mean a pendulum action jigsaw. What is wrong with a normal jigsaw and water as a COOLANT (lubrication not required if you keep the plastic cool).
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

 

[martindinham]

I'd second the suggestion about having a go at making them yourself. I bought some suitable smoked acrylic from a car windscreen repair place, cut with an electric jigsaw and finished with an orbital sander. I used a wood blade with the jigsaw on its slowest setting, seemed to work OK.

Best of luck.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
What pray tell is an orbital jigsaw

[/ QUOTE ] I wondered the same but I found them readily available. I might ask what is a pendulum action Jigsaw. Maybe the same thing?
The blade on mine just goes up and down!

I had my windows cut to size and shape using the old ones. Two need to be formed to match the curve of the cabin sides. That was done using the old windows .

 

[Robin2]

If you are making them yourself use Polycarbonate rather than Acrylic (perspex). Polycarbonate cuts perfectly with a new wood jigsaw blade I have a Bosch jigsaw and use the T101B blades or Hitachi JW10 equivalent. I don't use the pendulum action (which would probably give a coarser finish) or any lubricant. I've done lots of windows. It works all the time. Acrylic chips and melts and is generally a PITA.

 

[srp]

[ QUOTE ]
If you are making them yourself use Polycarbonate rather than Acrylic (perspex). Acrylic chips and melts and is generally a PITA.

[/ QUOTE ]
Depends what sort of acrylic. The extruded sort (as you would get from a diy supermarket), is not so good to work with. It's very prone to cracking, usually inwards from one of the edges you've cut, and sometimes several days afterwards. Something to do with needing to be tempered afterwards to remove brittleness caused by the cutting and sanding operations. The cast sort is much more forgiving, but will certainly crack if you machine it incorrectly. Like most plastics, it needs a high tool speed and a very light feed pressure.
Polycarbonate is much more prone to scratching in service, particularly by cleaning with a not-so-clean or not-so-soft cloth.

 

[cliff]

Just looked it up - seems they are pendulum motion jigsaws - it was the "orbital" bit that got me - had visions of the blade whizzing round in little "orbits" rather than swinging back and forth like a pendulum.
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Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

I can vouch for Eagle Boat Windows, just collected some of mine from him last Friday. If you send him a description of what is needed along with some sketches with dimensions he will quote you. Also be forewarned they are away on holiday from Friday 18th July, but when they return they will much easier to get to as they are moving closer to Motorway system. At the moment they are in Skipton, so unless you live there get the satnav out.

Mal

 

[Borden]

http://hadlo-43547-001.dsvr.co.uk/Pages/Introduction.html
follow this link to Hadlow Marine. They will provide advice and bits for DIY or they will do it for you. Excellent service in my experience.