FIRST ATTEMPT to making CURVED WINDOW MOULDS - S03E31 | Building Wilda

[@jbprospector3638]

Some for the set back. It is still forward progress. Looking good guys. 😎👍

[@buildingwilda]

Thanks 👍 we’re pushing through!

[@justinchapin99901]

You’ve got this! It’s always two steps forward and one step backward. When you are done and publish your work then it will help the next person overcome this same obstacle.

[@buildingwilda]

Thanks for the support! Yes, we do hope that our experience helps someone in the building/ sailing community! And we are learning as we go as well!

[@latitudeash]

Now you have the moles you can get two sheets of the plastic sheet and heat it up and clamp it. It’s an easy job ad you got the moles now.

[@buildingwilda]

Thanks... Heating evenly, and gently enough is the issue. And then letting the sheets cool down in a controlled way.... Absolutely something that can be done DIY, but far from easy. And very time consuming. The forming itself is not the really difficult part..

[@SteveMathers978]

So many Steve's ... sorry to hear about the window steve . Hope you have it sorted now

[@michaelp1258]

I feel so sorry for you 😢it's tough when someone lets you down. Stay strong as the end result will be worth it. Cheers Michael ❤

[@buildingwilda]

Thanks for encouraging us! We’ll definitely find a solution!

[@samijokinen6923]

Nice work!

[@buildingwilda]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MUDNROCKS]

Sorry your contractor bailed on you leaving a half done job, there is no excuse for that. The buck's we made for plane cockpit windows were covered with drawer lining velvet to limit marking the plastic, just saying but probably too late. The oven we used to heat up the material belonged to a company that made neon plastic signs for shops and the trick we learned was to get a full heat soak into the material so it was really floppy but not crispy " hard to do " , many hands with vice-grips used to pull form it over the bucks and hold it until it was cooled enough with compressed air to stay put. We couldn't re-use failures because they came out wavy, so each one is a fresh piece of material $$. All of them came out with a blemish somewhere so we made 3 full sets and picked the best ones to install. Don't be surprised if you have to cut and polish them if you want them mint, or just leave them as formed because they will get damaged in use and polishing can be done later. Keep pushing forward and don't quit ....... ever.

[@buildingwilda]

It was not a great experience... Let's put it that way. But, it is what it is, and we have a way forward. What you describe, with failures and issues and I guess lots of time poured into windows is what has kept us from doing them on our own... More coming up on our progress. Looking good 👍

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Try asking around for car window specialists or the companies that make RV caravan hatches and windows.. even aviation cockpit windows although that would be expensive .. Research vacume moulding..online ive seen it done in colledge years ago but smaller pieces ..even controled heating is the way then balaced distributed suction on to the form ... It calls for practice.

[@rolandtb3]

Disappointed about the ĺocal contractor unable to resolve the curved windows challenges. Recovery plans in place. Vital lessons learned and continue to learn. Hopefully better luck with the next contractor.

[@buildingwilda]

Thanks 🙏 We found a company able to help us. More coming up.

[@buildingwilda]

Sad for Steve, even in our disappointment... Worse for him than for us.

[@gavinferguson]

well done now you see why production cats are stiking to flat and single curved windows

[@buildingwilda]

Sure! Much easier to work with straight lines and surfaces instead of curves… unfortunately, production cat was not an option for us at the time…

[@normanboyes4983]

This is a tragic let down and I am sure Steve is in a difficult place. Another skill set to master😳 I have no value to add other than have you considered vacuum for clamping rather than mechanical clamps?

[@buildingwilda]

Yes. As disappointed as we were, we also feel for Steve, can't imagine how he must feel. Though moulding the windows ourselves is an option, we went a different route. More coming up soon.

[@themakingofmarram]

Hi guys, bugger, we have a guy in syd who did our bent glass windows from our moulds. He also does acrylic, If your stuck let us know and we can hook you up. Kel & Mel

[@kevinmartin3859]

That wasn't very good your contractor leaving especially with your as they I hope you can solve it soon 😊😊

[@buildingwilda]

Not a great feeling... But yes, we sorted it. More coming up.

[@lauriekennedy7984]

have any wilderness builders been able to offer advice on there windows?

[@buildingwilda]

Yes, we had a builder reach out. They have had worse problems than us with the windows. I think we have managed to solve our issues, update coming soon.

[@ericd7975]

Love your channel. A real bummer that your contractor bailed on you . Disappointing all around

[@buildingwilda]

Thanks 🙏 Yes. Disappointing for sure. But worse for the contractor than for us, and we found a solution, more coming up on that subject.

[@cameronurquhart1515]

That is such rotten luck. I hope you find someone else to sort the issue out. Knowing your skill level, I'm sure you can solve the problem and make the windows yourself.

[@buildingwilda]

Thanks 🙏 Very nice of you to say. We have found a solution, more coming up on that soon. I do think molding the windows by yourself is totally doable but very time consuming. Building a box and adding a heat source (without burning down the shed)... I did some research and I think it would be fairly straightforward but very time consuming... And 10mm acrylic is very very thick.....