Making a top for 8x8

[BW3]

PCS800
I have worked with that stuff , it can get to be heavy real quick , we used it as safety cages around the equipment we build ,,, CD/ DVD manufacturing machines nice stuff cuts easy with a table saw and easy to build with they have hardware to bolt it together and to fit plex glass etc etc in very nice stuff to work with ... but again it will get heavy quick ... , makes nice equipment stands also ...
Bill G.

[pcs800]

cd/dvd manufacturing? What is it they make? Can you post a link so I can see it?

[Rock Doctor]

I have looked at materials at my local stores and now I am wondering what size the windshield should be. I can get the plexiglass in 4x8 sheets, but does the windshield need to be 48 inches tall?
s[/url]

No, you should be closer to about 30" tall for your windshield. I think you can/should get 3 windshields out of a 4'x8' sheet. I believe that 48" wide is just a shade narrow for a stock windshield frame, but a little silicon will tighten the fit right up. (Don't quote me on this though, I'm running off memory here)

RD

[chris davison]

Dont forget they sell aluminum conduit also. This light weight conduit works good bent or flattened on the end in a vise for a hole to be drilled in it as an anchor point or pivot point. conduit (steel) makes a strong strut also when used with two flange nuts and all thread. Just measure the length needed cut the conduit 1/8 inch shorter run the all thread thru it leaving the length of threads you need at each end then thread the nuts on backwards until you use two vise grips on the flange and crank the hex of each nut right into the conduit at each end. 1/2 conduit works good with 3/8 all thread and 3/8 nuts.

[Mr. Moose]

u mentioned about a jeep top...i had the same idea but l found the jeep top was either too long or to wide...cant remember...l ended up building my own windshield,pvc pipe for top frame ,painted canvas for roof [4 waterproofing] .....used 1/2" conduit pipe on top for support....l had a cover off something with side windows...not fancy but it works...l can take top with a little of ?????? but l am not planning to take it off....good luck and hav fun building it.....

[pcs800]

I would like to use aluminum but can't weld it. Not sure I follow you on the second suggestion, got a pic or link?

[BW3]

The company is no longer , it made the machines that made CD's and DVD's from the master right up through to a packaged product CD or DVD,,,, it was a great job and company except for the failure to have a long term business plan , started with two very rich bothers who had an entertainment company and did not like the rates that companies charged for CD / DVD production back in the late 80's early 90's so they hire an engineer or two to design and build their own CD/DVD making machines then as an after though make them for other companies , but they failed to sign on a full time sales force and even tho having the fastest production equipment in the field if you don't sell you fail ...sadly they did .... We built and shipped complete systems only to have them sit on the docks in Malaysia in the rain after they failed to pay storage fees ....when I was hired the cost of producing a CD/DVD was about $1.50-1.25 when I was laid off a year later it was just under 30 cent a disc .... even less today they had units back then that the whole thing was about the size of a small refrigerator and with a plastic injector the CD/DVD pirates would put them in a truck and as long as they had power by connecting into any power lines and a tank of water they could produce product as long as they had plastic ...

As for wielding aluminum they is a brazing rod they make that uses a propane torch as the heat source... Harbor Freight Tool sells the stuff ...http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece...ods-44810.html

[pcs800]

I'm not really good enough with a torch to weld aluminum, my steel welds look like marble spills as it is.
Thanks for the info.

[Slimpickin]

I used conduit to hold the tarp up. bolts welded to flatiron and then wood screws to hold them on the argo. The conduit fits over the bolt. Used a bender to bend the conduit into a u shape. One at the back and one just behind the drivers seat. I built the windshield and installed snaps to hold a plastic tarp on the windshield. Bungee cords for the rest of the tarp. Works good and usually the front flps are open cause it's too warm. Built it on my sons argo and he's happy with it.

[pcs800]

Here's the basic frame I built today. 3/4 black pipe and bought a pipe bender.
Building the Cage - Amphibious ATV Pictures
The image after that one is my brother in-law welding it.

[pcs800]

I'm almost done with building the frame, what kind of material should I use to cover it? I was thinking canvas but that wouldn't be water tight would it? How about vinyl like a seat cover?

[pcs800]

Bump...
Nobody?

[Rock Doctor]

Thompsons Water Seal will work to make your Canvas Top water tight. A friend of mine uses it on his "Wall Tent". Not possitive, but I think he reseals the tent once a yr.

Was looking at your frame, and have a question. You have your roof supports inset a bit from the edge of the machine/top... How are you going to keep the soft top tight? Won't the top want to sag over the driver and passenger, along the outside edge?

RD

[trevorakm1]

ditto on the Thompsons and cheaper than the stuff at say REI.

[pcs800]

Thanks for the advice about sealer, and yes I noticed the inset bars and will be changing them, bummer