Custom

[Skibbo]

Originally Posted by alpha434

Both Lexan and Acrylic would have durability issues... Cracking. Even though lexan is stronger.

It might be worth it to look into clear rigid PVC. It's expensive, but it's a lot less brittle than either of the previous options.

I like the project, I just wish it would be easier to pull off!

I"ll look into the PVC. I wish the project would be easier to pull off too!

[TheePsycho]

I know Midland Plastics located near me will laser cut the scrap they have in their lobby to your dimensions.

[Skibbo]

Originally Posted by TheePsycho

I know Midland Plastics located near me will laser cut the scrap they have in their lobby to your dimensions.

Ok, I'm over in Platteville, so just about 2 hrs to Milwaukee, I'll have to give them a call and see what they can do.

thanks a lot!

[TheePsycho]

I've walked in there and had them cut sheets to my dimensions (they don't like metric dimensions). I know they have tubes in the lobby, I know they can bore them out just not sure if they do. If you need me to go there and purchase and ship it to you I'm fine with that as long as you pay for it.

[Jkoselka]

Originally Posted by Skibbo

I"ll look into the PVC. I wish the project would be easier to pull off too!

Don't PVC is more tempurature sensitive then either of the other two. You get it out in the heat and it will expand and maybe burst. Trust me I have worked with plastics for about 15 years now, fabrication, machining, and so on (not that I am an expert just know a thing or two).

What you want done with acrylic can be done by a shop that knows what it is doing, we have done it with great succes repeatedly for semi-conductor and medical customers, get the rod gun-drilled.
The only benifit PVC would have over the other two materials would be that it can stand up to the oils and solvents you will be cleaning and lubing your gun with. Otherwise acrylic and polycarb will yellow and craze over time and look like poop and crack.

Have you tried clear aluminium?

[capitalpaintball]

Have you tried clear aluminium?

I thought that was just something Scotty from Star Trek made up.

[Skibbo]

Originally Posted by TheePsycho

I've walked in there and had them cut sheets to my dimensions (they don't like metric dimensions). I know they have tubes in the lobby, I know they can bore them out just not sure if they do. If you need me to go there and purchase and ship it to you I'm fine with that as long as you pay for it.

I'll let you know, I contacted them and they have approx what I need, but they haven't said anything about boring yet. I would def pay for you to run over there and pick it up, especially if I can get it bored to the exact dimensions.

Originally Posted by Jkoselka

Don't PVC is more tempurature sensitive then either of the other two. You get it out in the heat and it will expand and maybe burst. Trust me I have worked with plastics for about 15 years now, fabrication, machining, and so on (not that I am an expert just know a thing or two).

What you want done with acrylic can be done by a shop that knows what it is doing, we have done it with great succes repeatedly for semi-conductor and medical customers, get the rod gun-drilled.
The only benifit PVC would have over the other two materials would be that it can stand up to the oils and solvents you will be cleaning and lubing your gun with. Otherwise acrylic and polycarb will yellow and craze over time and look like poop and crack.

Have you tried clear aluminium?

I figured it could be done with acrylic, but wasn't sure if anyone here had the know how to do it. Like I posted previously, not sure how much I would use this for games, so the amount of lubricant would be minimal.

Never heard of clear aluminium, any more info on it? Seems like a strange concept.

[y0da900]

Clear aluminum only exists in labs and was only discovered somewhat recently. Alumina, what most people are referring to, is an aluminum based ceramic and no longer has metallic properties. The film formed during anodizing and sapphires are other examples of aluminum ceramics.

[Skibbo]

Originally Posted by y0da900

Clear aluminum only exists in labs and was only discovered somewhat recently. Alumina, what most people are referring to, is an aluminum based ceramic and no longer has metallic properties. The film formed during anodizing and sapphires are other examples of aluminum ceramics.

Ahh, thanks for the clarification y0da. I'm just starting my advanced materials class for my mech engineering degree, so I figured that since this project doesn't have a deadline, I could always look into some other materials/see what I can test in the lab.