Fun with Makrolon ™
Sawed out the windows in Makrolon. The same polycarbonate as Lexan but the Euro-version. Interesting material to work with. We have quite a lot left but no idea of what to do with it. Here is a good source of all construction methods. It also tells how to make that cool looking dome. I see no use for it when we have an inside steering station, though. Maybe I could make an astronaut helmet. I could have that when driving my Vespa. Should be better than an ordinary helmet, no? More ideas about what to do with the left overs?
Fun material. Makrolon.Posted: June 22nd, 2008 under Portlights, Building, Photos.
Comments: 6
Comments
Comment from Stuart Crawford
Time: June 22, 2008, 11:30 pm
Thank you for pointing to this information, which people seem to regularly ask about on the web, but never get definitive answers for.
Comment from liko self
Time: June 22, 2008, 11:55 pm
I just finished replacing all the lexan portlights on the boat I live on in Washington state with 3/8″ tempered glass. I got tired of replacing the lexan after 5yrs, on sun-side of the boat and 10yrs on shade-side. UV causes crazing to the point they become opaque. I’m at 49 deg north too, so not that much total yearly sunlight. Maybe I got the low-quality polycarbonate. I don’t know. But polycarbonate is pretty expensive even in 1/4″ thickness. I’ll never have to replace the glass unless they crack….
Comment from Matti
Time: June 23, 2008, 10:25 pm
Liko, how much does hardened glass cost?
/m
Comment from liko self
Time: June 28, 2008, 10:52 pm
I paid $50 US for 3/8″ x 28″ x 10″. Shipping was $10 more.
–lself
Comment from Matti
Time: June 28, 2008, 10:54 pm
Thank you Liko. Was that cut first and then hardened?
/m
Comment from liko self
Time: June 29, 2008, 11:46 pm
Yes, I sent patterns to the glass shop. They cut the plate to the pattern then tempered (hardened).
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