Divecoz wrote:..... I think want to learn how to wood carve both by hand and with a new 300,000 rpm system I have found....
Yikes! That's ready for high-speed orbit! Must be blue to go that fast.
This new system was developed by . . . .a denist.
I am looking for things that would be fun to do and I could make some money from them, nothing serious just walking around change. Wood Carving and Glass etching / engraving look interesting. Yea I could always make good money applying my trade but BTDT for 38 years time to move on. My wife suggested I go back to teaching Scuba. . .no thanks too many moroooooons ! Same with X country ski instructor and that involves cold and snow and NO WAY!
I cut plexiglass (lexan, etc. i.e. acrylic plastic) all the time at work. We use a fine tooth blade very 'thin' (width is about 1/4") Smaller blade the better. Cuts quickly and 'fusing' is eliminated. Still have to sand the edges if you want it professional looking.
I just finished installing a pair of solar powered Nicrovents in our 26X. I plan on setting one for intake and one for exhaust. After looking around for suitable locations, I ended up cutting one in on the forward hatch. Just enough room on the flat, aft portion of the hatch. I cut the other into the lexan head window. I was told that they seem to catch enough rays there to be serviceable. We shall see.
I cut the holes in both the fiberglass hatch and the lexan window using a router, chucked up with a 1/4 inch carbide edge trimming bit. I made a jig out of 1/4 inch masonite. It clamped onto the hatch just fine with a C clamp on one side and a bar clamp on the other.
The lexan window was a little trickier. I removed 3 of the little machine screws which hold the window in place, placed the jig over the outside of the window, marked the holes, and then bolted the jig in place using longer machine screws. The two jig setups worked perfectly, as did the router bit. Nice clean cut, no problems with chipping or heating. As long as I can securely attach a jig, I feel confident I can cut nice clean holes all over that boat.
Things are starting to come together for this series of projects. I did purchase a Ryobi collapsible table saw and still need a few minor tools pieces but I will soon be set to begin.
I purchased a couple books on cabinet making and one on caning chairs, for my doors drawers and tip outs. I have hole saws for my solar vent. Though I may just use it to make a template for use with my router. About the only thing left to figure out is what to surface my new /old galley top with. I will be picking up the new stainless sink and electric faucet next week . I have also to decide how I am going to add additional water supply/ storage, Flexible or Rigid? I've got some electrics to change and to add as well. The garage is heated and I have a small electric forced air heater for the boat to make things bearable.
Most things are now ready for winter around the house and with the vehicles. We just agreed on the design of the door fronts tonight and I will be making a test product out of pine in a couple weeks to see how we like it. If its a go, I will purchase my oak planks and begin sometime around Christmas. The design on the companionway hatch has yet be to decided upon as each design seems to have no less than one draw back. But we are getting close.....to lift off.
I thought I'd mention my experience for anyone considering a plexi or lexan tinted hatch door. I used Lexan:
I had great success with mine, using 1/4th thickness tinted lexan remnant found at a glass shop. The shop owner cut the glass perfectly for me (no charge). Ive since put a stainless handle, along with the original stainless lock strap--hole drilling was very easy. This has been one of my favorite (almost) mods -- really looks nice, it adds much more light for the cabin, and its nice having a big window.
