Side Window Material Alternative

[GregSG]

Hi all...any idea what would be an alternative for a side window material?

Other then the common acrylic, What other materials can be used?

Best if its transparent

[evil-98]

acrylic is most common, its cheap and easy to work with.
the only other transparent materials i can think of is

glass, or polycarbonate

[Hidetaka]

Some resins are transparent too. They will cost more than acrylic but give you some cool possibilities.

I've just checked the price and it's ~$35/liter.

Some pics:
Here... (http://www.allegro.pl/item584273154_przezroczysta_zywica_odlewnicza_od_s s.html)

[little_scrapper]

Transparent aluminum.

[Warpcore]

Transparent aluminum.

:rofl:

Can you get that at Scotty's hardware.

[GregSG]

Some resins are transparent too. They will cost more than acrylic but give you some cool possibilities.

I've just checked the price and it's ~$35/liter.

Some pics:
Here... (http://www.allegro.pl/item584273154_przezroczysta_zywica_odlewnicza_od_s s.html)

Thanks....i have to see whats the pricing in my country, and how to go about doing it if possible...

Thanks!

[BlueAqua]

I picked up some cast acrylic at Home Depot that worked pretty well. I'm not sure what's available in Singapore but there has got to be something similar.

I did think about using glass, but that's a bit more tricky.

[ownage]

Lexan
It looks like plexi, but its stronger and and is less scratch-able (Don't know how else to call it :p:).
It might be twice as expensive, but its worth it.

[GregSG]

I picked up some cast acrylic at Home Depot that worked pretty well. I'm not sure what's available in Singapore but there has got to be something similar.

I did think about using glass, but that's a bit more tricky.

Thanks...i'm sure we have something similar to Home Depot....:D

[GregSG]

Lexan
It looks like plexi, but its stronger and and is less scratch-able (Don't know how else to call it :p:).
It might be twice as expensive, but its worth it.

Hmm...aint that Polycarbonate?

[ownage]

Hmm...aint that Polycarbonate?

Yes, I think it is.

[Boogerlad]

lexan=polycarbonate and it is not more scratch proof. It's harder to break, but easier to scratch.(polycarbonate)

[GregSG]

Well...that's bad ain't it?

Something harder to scratch would be good...

[evil-98]

glass would be the hardest to scratch
and yes polycarbonate scratches a lot easier

[ownage]

Are you sure?, I was reading a similar topic about sidepanel material on another forum just a few days ago, and most of the guys around there said lexan was the better one.
I'm confused :shrug:

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

I'm gonna use glass in my next window... on the v2010 the panels are thick enough to stop the glass from breaking via torquing

[evil-98]

Are you sure?, I was reading a similar topic about sidepanel material on another forum just a few days ago, and most of the guys around there said lexan was the better one.
I'm confused :shrug:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarbonate


Although polycarbonate has high impact-resistance, it has low scratch-resistance and so a hard coating is applied to polycarbonate eyewear lenses and polycarbonate exterior automotive components.

[Goreg]

seeing as polycarbonate is what most headlight lenses are made from, it doesnt scratch that easy...

[evil-98]

seeing as polycarbonate is what most headlight lenses are made from, it doesnt scratch that easy...

read above quote, they coat automotive parts with a hard coating
generic lexan or polycarbonate from a hardware store doesnt.
it scratches a lot easier then generic acrylic glass. just go and try it

[little_scrapper]

:rofl:

Can you get that at Scotty's hardware.

No but apparently you can get it fro the speigel catalog online,

http://www.geekculture.com/ultimatebb/Forum15/HTML/000441.html

OK well I admin that "translucent Alumina" was as close as I could get. :up:

[ILikeCosmosS]

since this is on side windows how dark is smoked acrylic

i just use the cheap easy solution acrylic

[Mark90]

Saran Wrap, glass, scotch tape. One way mirror would look cool!

[rakesh_sharma23]

use windsheld glass or Make a water fall by using two acrylic sheet . Coloured water will look cool ...

[GregSG]

I receive quotations for Polycarbonate sheets, really ex, bout 150USD for a standard full tower side panel sheet.

Glass would be too heavy, and too dangerous.

[GregSG]

Came across this, looks interesting...

AcrylPanel™ Mirror2
http://www1.acryan.com/img/products_images/ACR-AP32042-a_250.jpg

http://www1.acryan.com/_acrylpanel/ACR-AP32042.shtml

[Navig]

As a general rule, polycarbonate is stronger, has a laminar texture, and does collect fine scratches.

Acrylic is mushier, easier to polish out scratches, but is more difficult to machine.

For example, if you are trying to drill a hole or cut thin (say thinner than 1/8") acrylic, pull-ups, and twists will often lead to cracks radiating away from your cut, unless you use re-inforcement.

Same thickness polycarbonate, no probs, drill holes near edges, cuts, tapping threads.

Don't even bother trying to machine extruded acrylic--it is fragile as all get out.


Lots of plastics sites out there:

delvies plastics. (http://www.delviesplastics.com/)

tap plastics. (http://www.tapplastics.com/)

us plastics. (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.asp?cookie_test=1)


Must read---> Plastics Modding Primer! (http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=90412) <---



navig

[GregSG]

Came across this, looks interesting...

AcrylPanel™ Mirror2
http://www1.acryan.com/img/products_images/ACR-AP32042-a_250.jpg

http://www1.acryan.com/_acrylpanel/ACR-AP32042.shtml

Any comment on this?

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

Any comment on this?

thats what I wanted for permafrost, but I couldnt find any information on what the panel actually was......

[GregSG]

I think its Acrylic?


Anyway, here my side panel...

http://i41.tinypic.com/f26gyu.jpg

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

yes, it is acrylic but my issue was that i could get a clear impression from the store where I found it whether it was just a mirror or a "see through" mirror....


Nice panel :up:

[GregSG]

To me, it looks like a mirror on the outside, but its actually transparent acrylic when light is lit on the other side....but i guess that pretty obvious...

=/

Seems interesting....its not available in SG, (as always)...therefore i need think carefully before ordering

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5295/win-116/AC_Ryan_Acrylpanel_Mirror_2_-_400x300x3mm_2-Way_Mirror_ACR-AP32042.html

here is us source.... its only 400mmx300mm :( not big enough for my window

[GregSG]

http://www.xtremecomputing.co.uk/review.php?id=363&page=5

Came across this review....i think its the only one?