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RV8 Windscreen Metal Bezel

 
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Matt Dralle
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Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25203
Location: Livermore CA USA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:21 am    Post subject: RV8 Windscreen Metal Bezel Reply with quote

At 08:54 AM 2/10/2010 Wednesday, you wrote:
Quote:
Dear Fellow RV-8 Builders & Owners, I just saw some photos of Matt Dralle's RV-8 windscreen and the metal bezel around the roll bar and top of windscreen is beautiful! Mounting the wind screen is two steps away for my construction and I want to that application for my bird. Looked like the presentation on a F104. Who knows how it's make? Do I need metal stretcher or what? What type and thickness of metal is used, Screw size and type ? Is there a template somewhere? I called Van's, talked to Ken, they got nothing. Hope to hear from you all soon as this is a much better looking way, Bill of Georgia RV-8a Wiring



Hi Bill,

Below are 17 entries from my RV-8 Builder's Log where I document the process of fabricating that metal bezel over the windscreen/rollbar on the RV-8. I can't imagine doing a fiberglass lay up over the top like that. What a mess it would make inside the cabin. The metal bezel is very strong. I used .032" for the main bezel plus another .032" stiffener at the top. I originally went with #6 screws, but the broke a tap off in the hole and had to go with #8. I'd probably do #8 again from the start just for the increased surface area. No shrinker/stretcher needed. Just a very accurate pattern as shown in the photos. Let me know if you have any questions.

Metal Bezel For Windscreen/Rollbar:

(12 Log Entries - Parts 1 - 12):

http://www.mattsrv8.com/users/display_log.php?user=MattsRV8&project=638&category=2973&log=93178&row=158

(2 Log Entries - Parts 1 - 2):

http://www.mattsrv8.com/users/display_log.php?user=MattsRV8&project=638&category=2973&log=94693&row=139

(3 Log Entries - Parts 1 - 3):

http://www.mattsrv8.com/users/display_log.php?user=MattsRV8&project=638&category=2973&log=96370&row=48

Matt Dralle
RV-8 #82880 N998RV
http://www.mattsrv8.com Matt's RV-8 Construction Log
Finishing Up...


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koppk1



Joined: 11 Sep 2008
Posts: 7
Location: Jacksonville, FL

PostPosted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:07 am    Post subject: RV8 Windscreen Metal Bezel Reply with quote

Matt - do you still have the final patterns you used? I'd be happy to buy them off you and pay for shipping. I love what you've done and believe this is the way to go. Nice work!

Ken

--


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Matt Dralle
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Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 25203
Location: Livermore CA USA

PostPosted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:13 am    Post subject: Re: RV8 Windscreen Metal Bezel Reply with quote

koppk1 wrote:
Matt - do you still have the final patterns you used? I'd be happy to buy them off you and pay for shipping. I love what you've done and believe this is the way to go. Nice work!

Ken
--

Well, I could float you my patterns, but I would strongly recommend that you just measure out your own based on the dynamics of your own canopy/windscreen/rollbar dynamics. The bezel has to fit down really tightly around the windscreen and depending on the size of spacers you use to offset the Plexi, how you cut your windscreen out, the fit of your fiberglass side skirts, etc, etc, etc, your fit is probably going to be quite a bit different.

Cutting the pattern is really pretty easy. Go to Office Max or where ever and get some of the 2' x 3' filecard cardboard and tape two together and just scotch tape it over the top of the windscreen and mark it. Cut it out and tape it back on and then double check all of the dimensions. If it isn't quite right, just make a new pattern. Patterns are easy and cheap to make and the "bendability" of the filecard cardboard is very very similar to the .032" aluminum. Once you get a perfect cardboard version of the pattern, transfer it to a piece of aluminum and cut it out with Dremel cutoff wheel, then carefully file it down to the exact size.

I would strongly recommend adding the stiffener at the top as shown in some of the log pictures. However, in the initial pattern pictures, I show the stiffener piece being as wide as the actual bezel. Don't do this. You don't want the stiffener between the main bezel and the Plexi as it will leave a lump in the middle. Cut it wide enough to butt up against the Plexi and about 6-8" either side of the center. On mine, the center section is plenty strong to use as a "handle" for getting in and out. I bet those fiberglass ones aren't...

BTW, on my original post, the URLs would take you to the initial log entry, but then if you click "Next Log" it wouldn't actually go to the next Log. The URLs above are corrected such that the Next/Previous buttons work correctly.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Matt Dralle
RV-8 #82880 N998RV
http://www.mattsrv8.com Matt's RV-8 Construction Log


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