tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post2527660749494981638..comments2024-03-24T03:23:46.858-06:00Comments on This Rat Sailed: MacGyver-ingMike Boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-6670830719524771932015-09-21T19:31:05.409-06:002015-09-21T19:31:05.409-06:00Hey Doug,
Just tested the idea this afternoon onc...Hey Doug,<br /><br />Just tested the idea this afternoon once the rain ran me away from more fiberglass. The heat gun works and gets it soft enough (actually can get it very soft...like a wet noodle) and you can keep the shape reasonably intact if you are careful...but I'm trying to think up a way to make a small-ish jig that can hold the curve and keep the edges of the C at the proper locations (this stuff is a bit hot on the fingers) ;-)Mike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-12391431406894775872015-09-21T17:30:53.325-06:002015-09-21T17:30:53.325-06:00Hi Mike,
Hope the already splt pieces work for ben...Hi Mike,<br />Hope the already splt pieces work for bending- all the youtube videos of people bending PVC from 1" to 4" dia and using hairdryers to propane weed torches,use a complete pipe filled or mostly filled with sand to prevent kinking and taped ends to keep the sand in. Both X and Y axis - yep got it, curved to have a higher crown and you rounded the front edge. On a few other notes- check out the Oct CW- article on "Homemade Hardtop" same cloth disinergration reason but no need to stand on- your story/project would be just as interesting/informative. Other article on "the many uses of Battery Switches"- struck a nerve per my comment on solar. Great to see project moving along and cooler weather.<br />Doug in VTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-24799537320178550832015-09-20T11:56:49.689-06:002015-09-20T11:56:49.689-06:00Hey Doug,
The supports I have mimic the curve in t...Hey Doug,<br />The supports I have mimic the curve in the Y axis but not the X axis along the front of the top. The tubes are already split in half...have a whole stack of C shaped pieces of thin wall PVC. Need to figure out how to brace the for the curve along the X axis (the split stuff flexes fine for the Y component now, just not the X). Hope that explanation makes sense.<br /><br />Mike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-81587619800752445522015-09-20T10:12:04.816-06:002015-09-20T10:12:04.816-06:00Perhaps using one of the curved plywood supports t...Perhaps using one of the curved plywood supports that has the same curve as the front of the bimini would serve as a subsitute. Heat the tubing and curve it to match the support. Best to be on a flat horizontal surface like your table. You might actually be able to wire the tube or 1/2 tube to the curve to keep curved shape while it cools. Note full tube curved would be a bitch to saw length wise.<br />Doug in VTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-44925792080817654442015-09-20T04:24:15.124-06:002015-09-20T04:24:15.124-06:00Another friend suggested heat. Will need to give ...Another friend suggested heat. Will need to give that a try. I just need to be careful not to apply it right next to the fiberglass and foam...I assume the foam won't like it and I know "green" fiberglass isn't supposed to like excessive heat.Mike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-51669601122554648572015-09-19T19:33:44.757-06:002015-09-19T19:33:44.757-06:00Hi Mike,
Wondering if a heat gun or even a hair dr...Hi Mike,<br />Wondering if a heat gun or even a hair dryer on the tubing as you placed it on the curved section.<br />cheers,<br />AlanDuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06032241766501307186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-42861465203083300002015-09-18T16:07:35.308-06:002015-09-18T16:07:35.308-06:00Hey Doug,
The PVC tubing I have is not schedule 40...Hey Doug,<br />The PVC tubing I have is not schedule 40, it is thin wall...but apparently still a bit too stiff to form the complex curve. Wondering if a curved track is actually a good idea anyway since we will be making the dodgers at some point and simpler may be better. Still weighing options. We'll figure something out.Mike Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14279932231094933575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773370276862539169.post-89141667460243674572015-09-18T13:00:02.817-06:002015-09-18T13:00:02.817-06:00Hi Mike,
great to see bottom of bimini covered wit...Hi Mike,<br />great to see bottom of bimini covered with layers of glass. And wire chases structures. <br />Love the tools. As far as curved front rope bolt holder, here are a few ideas- Pex or poly/vinyl tube. (may be too squirrely and nothing sticks to it) , PVC electric conduit Sched 40 at 3/4" or 1" dia... may be more flexible than what you have due to thinner wall ...10' max length for 3/4" , 20' for 1" dia (at an electric supply store not Lowes). Cord and Wire Channels, (usually max 5' long) ,split wire loom flex tubing. What you really want is 3/4"-1" pipe made out of what they make plumbing riser tubes out of. <br />Doug in VTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com