More about wind wings---Brian

[brianrupnow]

Okay, it appears that we are still running on the old server---at any rate I can't find my thread about wind wings.--Anyhoo---I received the windwings and straight arm mirrors from Speedway, (through Hortons Rod Shop here in Ontario). They look like very good quality peices, and I went over this morning to have the wind-wings trimmed down to the size I require (a bit off each end). These wind wings are made of 3/16" clear Lexan, and since I had never cut this stuff before, I wanted to have them cut by people who work with lexan everyday. I took them over to the local glass and mirror shop, expecting that they would cut them with something really hi-tech, like a laser or water jet cutter. Instead, out comes Gonzo, the village idiot, and cuts them with an old sabre saw. ARGHHH---if I'd known it was that easy, I'd have done it myself at home!!!! They only charged me $5.00, so it wasn't a major loss anyways----I'll know better next time.
I brought them home and filed the sawcut edges with a new fine flat file, then blocked them with some 600 grit paper. I am sure thaere must be something I can do to make them a little "clearer" at the sawcut edges, but right now I don't know what it is.
I just discovered the first caveat. The chrome brackets have extended locating shoulders around the bolt holes that fit into a hole in the Lexan.---Trouble is, that extended shoulder is 5/16" diameter, while the hole in the windwings is 1/4" diameter. A bit of carefull drill-press work and silent prayer , and the holes got enlarged in my garage without breaking anything. The picture shows one modified wind wing with the 5/16 holes I put in it, and the other (as supplied by Speedway, with the 1/4" holes in it.) Kinda dumb on their part, considering what paid for these things.
----More to follow---Brian