Window Maker

[RobVG]

Our guys break alot of rock when building rockeries. In the process they also break a couple of kicker windows a year at $200 a pop.


I decided to make them out of 1/4 inch Lexan at a cost of $45 but it turned out to be too ridged to fit in the curve track.

So with some spare time on my hands last winter I made this oven/press gizmo powered by a heat gun. The first widow looked like a lasagna noodle but the next turned out good and fit right. The window in the pic is Lexan.

 

[k.key]

Nice jig Rob, loook like it works well....

 

[willie59]

Cool press rob.

 

[Lee-online]

Good idea with the form.

What about installing a rock guard?

Lexan sucks to look through after it is faded and all scratched up, but at least it is only the lower.

 

[RobVG]

A rock guard would protect the window but half our walls are down walls were the machine is on the top of the cut. Operators need a clear view to the toe.

The window in the pic was the first and believe it or not it's just dirty. I haven't had to polish it yet.

 

[shopteacher 1]

looks inovative!

 

[John C.]

Great idea and job on that Rob! Maybe you should do some marketing around here. I'll bet 90% of the excavators I've seen in the last fifteen years did not have the kick windows.

To spruce up old Lexan or plexiglass I got a product from Meguiar's called PlastX. It cleaned up the fairing on my motor cycle just great. It takes a little work but is far cheaper than replacing a window in a feller buncher. I got this bottle at Schuck's.

 

[RobVG]

Hey thanks John. And thanks for the PlastX tip, I heard of if but couldn't remember the name. I'll give it a try.