How do I cut my shield?

[Dinoscruzin]

anyyone know the best way to cut a windshield down?
I have a chainsaw,dremel,hacksaw,Roto Zip,jigsaw?
Thanks Dino

[Tree]

anyyone know the best way to cut a windshield down?
I have a chainsaw,dremel,hacksaw,Roto Zip,jigsaw?
Thanks Dino

Chainsaw would be the quickest way but if you want it to look good, you can get blades for a jigsaw that are designed for plastics.
RotoZip and Dremel work good too. just make sure you set the speed at a lower setting, because blades heat up and melt the material.
After cutting it might be a good idea to hit the new edge with a fine grit sandpaper.

[alan hawke]

G'day Dino a couple of my mates have made screens from start to the finished product. Hard to pick the difference between the genuine and the custom made jobs. Anyway they used a jigsaw with a very fine toothed blade, the finer the better, after you've finished cutting, clean up the edge with wet & dry sand paper to get that nice rounded edge .Start with a 600 to 800 grit paper leading up to and finishing off with 1500 or ultra fine grit paper . After you have done that any fine scratches you can buff out using buff and auto cutting compound finish with a polish.
PS. REMEMBER SLOW AND EASY WINS THE RACE.

Cheers Alan.
ngw

[Frenchy]

Dino,
I've use the jig saw with a fine tooth blade method as well, with a twist. I use dish washing detergent, because no matter how slow you go the plastic will melt to some degree. The soap keeps it from bonding to itself. You will have to snap it apart, but you won't have to use much effort.
I also put masking tape on the base of the saw, & on the windshield itself to prevent scratching it. 8)

Good Luck

[Zryder]

Good point Frenchy on the masking tape , I used the jigsaw with a fine tooth blade , but not the metal cutting blade to fine , and sanded the sharp edge . This was a fairly thick windshield , I cut this done dry , and it came out great with no melting , I used a fariable speed saw so I wouldn't cut to fast to melt . came out great , and you can also add a trim around the windshield after done . crosso

[Dinoscruzin]

Thanks for all the great replies. You guys are awesome.
I will let you know how it turns out or cuts out. I will use my hand held jigsaw and cut away.
Dino

[Bandanna]

also,dinos,if you want to be really fussy,you can get some coloured tubing+split it open down one edge.

then place it over the cut edge(piping trim)

trim off to suit..................

later gents................

[Annie's Boyfriend]

anyyone know the best way to cut a windshield down?
I have a chainsaw,dremel,hacksaw,Roto Zip,jigsaw?
Thanks Dino

It's best not to use a Jigsaw, I think.
If you damage your shield, crack it or worse you will feel it in your wallet.

I used the blade of a fine metalsaw, there are several types of handles around so that you can stick the sawblade in, and sawed it by hand.

It takes a bit longer but its better to be save than sorry.

Bart

[Zryder]

Very good point there Annie's B , I did use a variable speed jigsaw on a slow speed , so I guess I made out ok there . But very good point though .

[Dinoscruzin]

also,dinos,if you want to be really fussy,you can get some coloured tubing+split it open down one edge.

then place it over the cut edge(piping trim)

trim off to suit.....

My thoughts exactly cause I just know that my cut edge is gonna look funny somewhere along it.
Dino

[Victorious1]

Your Roto Zip will work great as long as you use a sharp bit and keep your feed speed and tool RPM's down Set up a guide and clamp it to the windshield to guide the tool along and make a straight cut. Bevel the edges slightly afterwards with sandpaper.

Vic

[gvmnt45]

I worked for National Cycle designing windshields and other items.
Manufacturers use a router (Ok it is a CNC router). After they cut and form the shield they put the shield into the wet sanding area. They sand the edges on a wet sander wheel. This gives a very nice suface finish on the edges.
If you are going to cut your shield, find out your material first. There are several materials that are used. Acrylic will be the worst to cut because it cracks real easy.
In any case, tape the heck out of where you are going to cut. draw your lines in the tape (tap both sides of the shield) especially if you are using a saw. Move slowly and deliberatly. Do not cock the cutter or you will bind and possibly break(crack) the shield.
Round off all edges. do not leave them squared off and somewhat sharp. This will allow the shield to crack if you leave it squared off and rough cut. It leaved stress points from your cutter. Sand the edges well and insure rounding.

[Try]

I worked for National Cycle designing windshields and other items.

Thanks for sharing gvmnt45.

[hirsty]

i cut my windshield using a jigsaw with a metal-cutting fine blade on the slowest setting. was taped on both sides & just took it real slow.

it came out fine after i sanded it, and i also added some of this edging from SAENG/TA which adds about three inches to the air bubble >>> http://www.saeng.com/4000.htm

not cheap, especially if you are paying for delivery outside of the US, but very good.

[Try]

i cut my windshield using a jigsaw with a metal-cutting fine blade on the slowest setting. was taped on both sides & just took it real slow.

Hello neighbour (I'm from Norway), and welcome aboard.
Keep us posted and don't be afraid to jump into a discussion.