Post by zeus on Oct 18, 2017 16:15:27 GMT
Hi guys,
Spent loads of time recently trying to get some acrylic boat windows made up and found lots of companies to be useless, but Dipec Plastics in Ely have been outstanding.
First try was retail plastics in Wentloog, absolutely useless, gave them the benefit of the doubt for 2 months but they hadnt even put together a quote so in the end gave up. Tried Amari plastics as recommended on this forum but they've stopped cutting shapes and stopped doing offcuts as well so no good but they recommended Dipec in Ely. They quoted on the spot and gave a completion date straight away.
I took them the original windows which fell apart when removing and they were happy to piece together the pile of bits I gave them and use them as a template, they're used to boat windows and old worn out acrylic so they werent bothered at all despite the poor condition, the resulting cutouts are almost perfect remakes.
I had them make 2 coachroof windows, almost 2 metres long and about 30cm high with a weird tapered shape. They also made replacement plastics for the Vetus portlights and an acryic washboard insert. Costs were £200 for a half sheet of acrylic (still got 2mx1m offcut left over) in dark smoked acrylic and £50 labour for cutting out as many shapes as I wanted. They made the smaller parts out of offcuts to avoid chopping into the main sheet as well which was nice. They cut out a 3rd window incase I make a mistake drilling the holes on one of them and said if I need anymore I can take the sheet back which is big enough for another 3 so I don't have to worry about mistakes. They never drill holes since they will never line up on stuff like this without doing it in situ. I took some drill bits to them and they ground and recut the tips to cut acrylic properly without pulling through and chipping. Not cheap, but acrylic is expensive and the material costs were the majority of the expense. The £50 labour cost seemed good value. Normal turnaround is within a week. The acrylic has a 10 year material guarantee from manufacturer.
as for fitting, if anyone is doing something similar, drill out holes in acrylic to 1mm above the size of fastener you use as stainless expands quicker in heat than acrylic and with no where to go it will fracture the acrylic.
If anyone needs some of this huge offcut give me a shout!
Spent loads of time recently trying to get some acrylic boat windows made up and found lots of companies to be useless, but Dipec Plastics in Ely have been outstanding.
First try was retail plastics in Wentloog, absolutely useless, gave them the benefit of the doubt for 2 months but they hadnt even put together a quote so in the end gave up. Tried Amari plastics as recommended on this forum but they've stopped cutting shapes and stopped doing offcuts as well so no good but they recommended Dipec in Ely. They quoted on the spot and gave a completion date straight away.
I took them the original windows which fell apart when removing and they were happy to piece together the pile of bits I gave them and use them as a template, they're used to boat windows and old worn out acrylic so they werent bothered at all despite the poor condition, the resulting cutouts are almost perfect remakes.
I had them make 2 coachroof windows, almost 2 metres long and about 30cm high with a weird tapered shape. They also made replacement plastics for the Vetus portlights and an acryic washboard insert. Costs were £200 for a half sheet of acrylic (still got 2mx1m offcut left over) in dark smoked acrylic and £50 labour for cutting out as many shapes as I wanted. They made the smaller parts out of offcuts to avoid chopping into the main sheet as well which was nice. They cut out a 3rd window incase I make a mistake drilling the holes on one of them and said if I need anymore I can take the sheet back which is big enough for another 3 so I don't have to worry about mistakes. They never drill holes since they will never line up on stuff like this without doing it in situ. I took some drill bits to them and they ground and recut the tips to cut acrylic properly without pulling through and chipping. Not cheap, but acrylic is expensive and the material costs were the majority of the expense. The £50 labour cost seemed good value. Normal turnaround is within a week. The acrylic has a 10 year material guarantee from manufacturer.
as for fitting, if anyone is doing something similar, drill out holes in acrylic to 1mm above the size of fastener you use as stainless expands quicker in heat than acrylic and with no where to go it will fracture the acrylic.
If anyone needs some of this huge offcut give me a shout!
