Gulf Island Building.

cocobolo · 07-14-2010, 09:54 AM

This is a pretty tight radius to bend lexan around (13 3/4") without a fight. Plus you need to kind of be able to second guess exactly how long the lexan needs to be.

Yes, I measured it with a tape, but I have noticed before that the lexan always needs to be a fraction longer than whatever it is you measure.

I understand that the actual radius where the lexan itself will be is a fraction bigger. But even allowing for that...I added an extra 1/8" anyway. Total length ended up being 40 1/4"...doesn't look that big, does it?

It ended up being a terrific fit.

cocobolo · 07-14-2010, 10:01 AM

...by the way, if anyone has any slick little tricks to keep all the dust off the lexan after you peel off the protective plastic covering, let me know.

The static electricity attracts every particle of dust between here and and the moon, or so it seems.

You see that thin wood strip up top...(previous picture) that is to provide an allowance for the thickness of the lexan where I am attaching the wood strips.

If I hadn't used something like that, the strips would have stuck out a bit at the bottom. This way, they have laid themselves nicely against the lexan.

Pretty much have the wood done here, except for a band which will be going round the bottom.

But I ran out of a couple of things last night, daylight and wood strips.

gma2rjc · 07-14-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

...by the way, if anyone has any slick little tricks to keep all the dust off the lexan after you peel off the protective plastic covering, let me know.

Try rubbing a dryer sheet on it.

**BigJim** · 07-14-2010, 05:58 PM

I just had to come all the way to the last post to tell you I am way back on page #69 enjoying the dickens out of this fantastic adventure you have so graciously allowed us to thoroughly enjoy. I thank you for the huge amount of time and effort it has been for you, so we can be right there with you.

I can smell the sawdust and feel it flying everywhere, man what a ride so far.

I am taking my time to get to the current post as I am soaking up all you have done where you have been and where you are going. Thank you so much.

Jim

cocobolo · 07-14-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gma2rjc

Try rubbing a dryer sheet on it.

We don't have a dryer here...it's called a clothesline on this island.

However, it just might be worth getting some just for the purpose...thanks!

cocobolo · 07-14-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiju1943

I just had to come all the way to the last post to tell you I am way back on page #69 enjoying the dickens out of this fantastic adventure you have so graciously allowed us to thoroughly enjoy. I thank you for the huge amount of time and effort it has been for you, so we can be right there with you.

I can smell the sawdust and feel it flying everywhere, man what a ride so far.

I am taking my time to get to the current post as I am soaking up all you have done where you have been and where you are going. Thank you so much.

Jim

Jim:

It is for folks exactly like you who express their appreciation as you have so eloquently done that I do this.

It is a genuine pleasure for me, but it is your kind comments which make it all worth while.

gma2rjc · 07-15-2010, 12:00 AM

When you do that, test it on a scrap piece first, if you have any. I really don't think it would scratch the lexan, but it wouldn't hurt to check first.

cocobolo · 07-15-2010, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gma2rjc

When you do that, test it on a scrap piece first, if you have any. I really don't think it would scratch the lexan, but it wouldn't hurt to check first.

I doubt very much it will scratch the lexan, that stuff is pretty tough. Being a thermoplastic, it will scratch. But you have to make an effort to do so.

gma2rjc · 07-15-2010, 12:16 AM

So it doesn't scratch as easily as plexiglass? That's good.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it and what's it usually used for?

The 'round thing/plant stand' is looking great.

cocobolo · 07-15-2010, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gma2rjc

So it doesn't scratch as easily as plexiglass? That's good.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it and what's it usually used for?

The 'round thing/plant stand' is looking great.

Definitely does not scratch anywhere near as easily as plexi.

When we first came over here, I got wind of an end of job lot of sheets of this lexan for sale down in Bellingham, Washington. I had a chum down there who I asked to go and buy the whole lot for me. Just gave him the c/c number and that was it.

I think there must have been around 20 - 25 sheets of the stuff, 52" x 57" and .080" thick. Manufactured under licence from GE by Cadillac Plastics, a well known supplier.

The disposal yard only wanted $10 a sheet for it, but my good friend Tom pleaded extreme poverty and got the lot for $6.50 apiece! This was the very last sheet I had, so it's all used up now. Just scraps left.

I believe the original price was right around $100 a sheet. It's not really cheap stuff. We have some used for the skylight in the studio. Some in the end semi circle window over the front entrance. Some over the back entrance to the cabin. I put quite a bit into several boats as curved windows. It's pretty handy if you can snag some.

cocobolo · 07-15-2010, 11:14 AM

Yesterday was squandered going over to town for a "relaxing" day (according to wife number 2). Actually, it was pretty nice.

Before we left in the morning, I cut all the short pieces of trim to go around the bottom of the round thing and pre-stained them.

This morning, I just finished nailing them on.

scoggy · 07-15-2010, 02:24 PM

Heh, nice work, glad to see you are still going at it, and work still as impeccable as ever! P mail me and I will tell you of my tete a tete with a deer 8^(
Cheers
Syd

cocobolo · 07-15-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoggy

Heh, nice work, glad to see you are still going at it, and work still as impeccable as ever! P mail me and I will tell you of my tete a tete with a deer 8^(
Cheers
Syd

Your fame precedes you, not so sure about the deer!

cocobolo · 07-15-2010, 04:11 PM

One more major job finished.

All the posts are now bolted on to the upper deck.

Now the lengthy job of putting that long laminated rail on top!

cocobolo · 07-15-2010, 07:36 PM

A few days ago the missus decided that she wanted to do something about some rockwork she attempted a few years back.

There were a couple of tree stumps near the sign, and rather than badger me to take them out, she decided to build a low rock wall around them and fill that up with dirt.

Now she wants to add some concrete on top of that and be able to sit her potted plants there.

First she needed to get all the weeds out of there.