Lexan Forarm ...

yeah lexan is chemical reactive...

shadowcat said:
don't forget motorcycle helmet visors, riot shields, etc.. .. so imagine the possibilities... laser etched 3D floating points/prongs in the Lexan.. maybe 3D "inlays" in the prongs.. or a full 3D design in the entire sleeve, like those lexan/acrylic 3d art knicknacks/souvenirs you can buy at mall stores and amusement parks .... a LOT of artistic possibilities...

Only concern would be the scratching that can happen to the surface of the Lexan..
Click to expand...

Lexan or (polycarbonate) is chemical reactive, it reacts to certain chemicals and can melt. You might not want to use a standard finish on top of it to protect it from scratching etc.. But I think it's a novel idea that gives good potential, expecially with the use of 3d laser inscribers..

Jaden
 
I wonder what it would look like to have some ebony points in that lexan forarm? That would look pretty cool Im sure, to see the inside of the points...what you guys think? Would the wood bind right to the lexan?

G.G.
 
greyghost said:
I wonder what it would look like to have some ebony points in that lexan forarm? That would look pretty cool Im sure, to see the inside of the points...what you guys think? Would the wood bind right to the lexan?

G.G.
Click to expand...

See, that's one of the things I'm wondering as well.. how would Lexan handle inlays or veneers? I think Ebony would look awesome.

Also something to consider... Lexan can be tinted with different colors, so the color choices and inlay/veneer possibilities are endless... imagine a dark smoke tinted Lexan forearm with ivory inlays... maybe with some light veneers outlining some points... many possibilities...
 
Lexan (polycarbonate) is a material with many applications and it will be interesting to see what you can accomplish with it, Willee.

It is a tough material. It is very easy to cut and machine as long as you keep the speed down where it won't gum up your tools. The most desirable property of Lexan is its impact resistance, which obviously has merit for pool cues. It also takes heat better and has better dimensional stability than Plexiglas (acrylic), which would make for a great cue to keep in your car. It glues very easily and can be solvent bonded to other pieces of Lexan or most of the styrenic plastics (maybe an idea for inlays?).

I wouldn't recommend it as a bullet deflector, as bulletproof Lexan is is strategically laminated to achieve bullet resistance...:D

The major downsides have been mentioned already. It scratches very easily, which you address with your use of frosted material. It dents easily compared to the other plastics. It is very susceptible to solvents and chemicals. Solvents such as MEK and MDC will literally melt it.

It is very tough to get a finish on it after it leaves the calendar or mold when it's made. Most acrylic can be scraped and flame polished, but Lexan usually requires sanding and solvent polishing. If you bend it, it is a thermoplastic material that will stay in its new shape rather than going back to its old shape (thermoset). It must be dried well before you decide to heat form it, as it's hygroscopic and will absorb a little water.

It us not UV resistant, flame resistant, or abrasion resistant in its common form. You can get UV treatment, FR protection, and a Mar Guard coating, but these are an extra cost, and sometimes aren't practical. Mar guard is a great abrasion resistant coating, but once it's applied, you can no longer physically work the material with heat, buffing wheels, benders, etc., as it will damage the coating.

I applaud your willingness to try something new, Willee. Frank Paradise would be proud of ya...

Good luck and keep us in the loop on your progress!

Steve
 
RBC said:
two words about how to finish lexan,

Vapor Polishing


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
Click to expand...

Right on the head, Royce. The best of the techniques of the solvent finishing I was referring to. Not an easy or cheap process (requires boiling the solvent which should be done by trained personnel only - and it requires some special equipment), but it is the best finish for polycarbonate that I know of. You can also bathe or swab the Lexan with the solvent, but the finish isn't nearly as nice.



Steve
 
Last edited:
What are the density/weight characteristics? Does it affect the balance bias of the cue (too far forward or backward)? Will it be an issue to make a cue with, say, an ebony base with lexan forearm, and keep the weight manageable (18.5-19oz... I know that some cues can't be made as light simply because of the density of some of the materials used)... Will it be a playable cue? If Willie is willing to do the research, perfect his techniques, explore the customizable possibilities, and more importantly, keep it affordable, who would be willing to order a Lexan cue? I'm certainly open to the possibilities.

I also applaud Willie's willingness to expand cue making with innovative materials, and I hope it's successful enough to be worthwhile... and I would be willing to buy one if he can design it to my specs (and I'm making the assumption that it WILL be a playable cue).
 
shadowcat said:
What are the density/weight characteristics? Does it affect the balance bias of the cue (too far forward or backward)? Will it be an issue to make a cue with, say, an ebony base with lexan forearm, and keep the weight manageable (18.5-19oz... I know that some cues can't be made as light simply because of the density of some of the materials used)... Will it be a playable cue? If Willie is willing to do the research, perfect his techniques, explore the customizable possibilities, and more importantly, keep it affordable, who would be willing to order a Lexan cue? I'm certainly open to the possibilities.

I also applaud Willie's willingness to expand cue making with innovative materials, and I hope it's successful enough to be worthwhile... and I would be willing to buy one if he can design it to my specs (and I'm making the assumption that it WILL be a playable cue).
Click to expand...

Hey one question how does it hold up as a break cue?
 
Hunter said:
Lexan (polycarbonate) is a material with many applications and it will be interesting to see what you can accomplish with it, Willee.

It is a tough material. It is very easy to cut and machine as long as you keep the speed down where it won't gum up your tools. The most desirable property of Lexan is its impact resistance, which obviously has merit for pool cues. It also takes heat better and has better dimensional stability than Plexiglas (acrylic), which would make for a great cue to keep in your car. It glues very easily and can be solvent bonded to other pieces of Lexan or most of the styrenic plastics (maybe an idea for inlays?).

I wouldn't recommend it as a bullet deflector, as bulletproof Lexan is is strategically laminated to achieve bullet resistance...:D

The major downsides have been mentioned already. It scratches very easily, which you address with your use of frosted material. It dents easily compared to the other plastics. It is very susceptible to solvents and chemicals. Solvents such as MEK and MDC will literally melt it.

It is very tough to get a finish on it after it leaves the calendar or mold when it's made. Most acrylic can be scraped and flame polished, but Lexan usually requires sanding and solvent polishing. If you bend it, it is a thermoplastic material that will stay in its new shape rather than going back to its old shape (thermoset). It must be dried well before you decide to heat form it, as it's hygroscopic and will absorb a little water.

It us not UV resistant, flame resistant, or abrasion resistant in its common form. You can get UV treatment, FR protection, and a Mar Guard coating, but these are an extra cost, and sometimes aren't practical. Mar guard is a great abrasion resistant coating, but once it's applied, you can no longer physically work the material with heat, buffing wheels, benders, etc., as it will damage the coating.

I applaud your willingness to try something new, Willee. Frank Paradise would be proud of ya...

Good luck and keep us in the loop on your progress!

Steve
Click to expand...

I wasnt gonna say all that, lol, but yes it can be made any color you want. Thats what I do for work. Clear, smoked, or any color.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top