Warbird Information Exchange

Hello Folks:

From what I hear, Lance is charging $750 for new windshields, and they crack very easily. A rebuilder told me he bought two from Lance, and they've both cracked during installation.

Anyway, wondering if Lexan or glass gives better visibility?

Anyone with any information?

Thanks,

Chris

The windshields are plexiglass. In the event of a strike, glass explodes,where the plexi is less dangerous. No matter what a bird strike in the windshield is bad news. The side panels were glass. They can be REAL tricky to install without cracking. Some people have used plexiglass on the sides to reduce weight,that glass weighs a ton compared to plexiglass. Instaling plexiglass,lexan or glass is tricky to do without cracking. So I dont think the blame lies with LANCE. I have purchased T-6 parts from most of the large sources out there. All I can say about LANCE is you get exacly what JOHN said he was sending you. Well boxed and shipped right away.

Lexan will scratch more easily than plex. Lexan is easier to form than plex. Plex is not as impact resistive as Lexan. The big problem with plex is that when it breaks, it tends to shatter into extremely sharp shards.

Lexan is very strong and impact-resistant, and clarity would depend on how well it's formed. It does scratch very easily, but perhaps covering it with a good clear computer vinyl will help protect it and make it easier to clean, [bugs etc.] replacing that periodically, as required.....
We had an off-cut piece of Lexan lying around the workshop, and one smoko we tried it out for hardness with a 10lb sled-hammer....scratched the hell out of it, but six of us couldn't break it any which-way....As I recall, use a not-too-sharp band-saw to carefully cut it to shape, and blunt drill to run your holes through, otherwise it'll crack... - Others may have other techniques, but that worked for us.......

HI LEXAN IS TOUGH AND FORMS BETTER BUT BEWARE ON LARGER WINDOWS IT CAN FLEX ENOUGH TO POP OUT! PLEXI WILL CRACK/SHATTER BUT IS REALLY PRETTY STONG AND DOESNT FLEX AS BAD.TO CUT ANY OF IT ,MARK IT OUT AND USE A DIE GRINDER WITH A CUT OFF WHEEL IT MAKES IT EASY WORK,CLEAN UP THE EDGES ON A BELT SANDER.TO DRILL HOLES, GRIND YOUR DRILL BIT ALMOST FLAT ABOUT 3 DEGREES USE HIGH SPEED AND GO SLOW THANKS MIKE

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IF YOU CAN FIND IT WE CAN FIX IT

Hi Gentlemen:

As far as optical properties, would you prefer glass, or Lexan?

Thanks,

Chris

HI YOU CANT BEAT GLASS!!

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IF YOU CAN FIND IT WE CAN FIX IT

Lexan will craze faster when exposed to UV.

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John Lane, Jr.

Woops goofed the quote

Thanks,

Naw, just mentioning the price of that particular item. Excellent service for getting hard to find parts [/quote]

I would grind my bits into a sharp point and drill slow and that worked good for me. I havn't cracked anything using this method. When the drill bit snags it cracks.

Naw BrokenWrench; The drills aren't the issue, it's the pressure that the surrounding frame imparts into the glass when it's being fitted. The curvature of the glass causes stress concentrations, and it's very sensitive to cracking at the slightest pressure.

Are you riveting them, in? Are you using AD or A rivets?

I'm using the standard soft rivets. I can't remember the standard A number.

Squeezing or riveting?

A is 1100 Aluminum. Soft rivets which are good for that type of application