It's time to think about my body. I want to use a one piece windshield. When I look in the catalogs I just get lost. How have you done it. If you can give me some part numbers to help in my search. I am really having fun with this build. My wife won't go to the shop. See the enjoyment.
Windshield frame ideas
- Thread starter Chickie
- Start date
Keeper
Active Member
Do you already have your posts? If not there are a few posts on here on how folks built them. Here is my submission, about halfway down the page:
http://www.tbucketeers.com/threads/keepers-build.5850/page-9
hmmmmm I cannot seem to find the frame itself, but here is what I did on the table saw:
http://www.tbucketeers.com/threads/keepers-build.5850/page-9
hmmmmm I cannot seem to find the frame itself, but here is what I did on the table saw:
My frame was made from 3/4 bar also, but I didn't have the stones to do mine on the table saw 
. I assume you used a finish blade turned backwards?? I've cut sheet alum with my skill saw that way many times and it works surprisingly well.
Don't forget to add some beef to the area where your support rods will mount. 3/4 rod doesn't give enough material for threading into otherwise. I turned out some alum pieces on my lathe and had them welded on when the frame was welded.
Russ
. I assume you used a finish blade turned backwards?? I've cut sheet alum with my skill saw that way many times and it works surprisingly well.Don't forget to add some beef to the area where your support rods will mount. 3/4 rod doesn't give enough material for threading into otherwise. I turned out some alum pieces on my lathe and had them welded on when the frame was welded.
Russ
California Custom Roadsters has the windshield frame material for sale. Check their forum listing for the part number. I bought some for my windshield frame but have not started to build it yet. Have practiced cutting aluminum on my miter saw and found slow and steady feed to work best
Keeper
Active Member
No kidding, thats why it took me a month or two to get up the courage to do it!!
I drilled the ends of the aluminum, and screwed it to a 2x4. That way it stayed straight, and gave me more control over the whole process.
Keeper
Active Member
I wish I still had the 2x4. I bought as straight 2x4 (as straight as I could find anyway). I split it into 40 or so inch pieces.
I cut a dado down the middle of the 2x4 wide enough to hold the frame 3/4 rod. I did mine in two pieces of about 40 inches. I drilled a hole at each end about 1/4 deep all the way through. This allowed me to screw through the wood and aluminum fixing it in place. Just make sure its shallow enough that the dado blades will not catch the screw!
I used my carbide tipped dados to cut the 5/16 by 3/8 slot. I called the glass company first and asked them what they wanted the groove to be, so yours may be a but different. I took it in 3 very shallow passes. Turned out to be easier then I expected.
I was scared of the rod becoming a missle, I have a very healthy respect for my tablesaw and setup all the safety gears I could to ensure a safe operation. Feather boards, hold down boards to keep the aluminum pressed to the blades.
If you can set this up using a router table you will be a whole lot safer. When I teach rookies about table saw safety I start by telling them that the saw does only one thing - it makes a blade go around in a circle. You can leave it on all day, it will not chase you around the shop, it will not come and find you in the bathroom. Everything that happens with that saw, either good or bad, is YOUR doing.
We are not making the windshield frames any longer.
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