For Sale Clear parking lenses for early rigs. ** UPDATE** Now Offering COMPLETE Assemblies!

[thecrazygreek]

A quick update.

I've made 5 molds, three of which are good. I've started several lenses, all have bubbles. My compressor is down which normally runs the pressure pot I use to cure the lenses in.

I need to troubleshoot that. I may get a vibration table and give that a shot.

All of this reminds me of why I stopped before. Lol!

Anyhow, Just wanted to let you all know the project continues...

 

[sleepycruiser]

A quick update.

I've made 5 molds, three of which are good. I've started several lenses, all have bubbles. My compressor is down which normally runs the pressure pot I use to cure the lenses in.

I need to troubleshoot that. I may get a vibration table and give that a shot.

All of this reminds me of why I stopped before. Lol!

Anyhow, Just wanted to let you all know the project continues...

Stay the path! You have enough interest that it should be worth it.

 

[mrboatman]

We appreciate your efforts on this

 

[thecrazygreek]

Here's a pic so people can understand the dreaded bubble situation.

This lense is sitting in a factory chrome ring. (Old n crusty but gets the job done) I decided to invest in a vibration table designed for the dental industry. Boy, they really are proud of those tables! It should be here tomorrow. So I'm hoping that will remedy the bubble issue.

And just to reiterate, one lense takes 24 hours to cure. If I have 2 usable molds, it means I can make one set every 24 hours. Just throwing it out there to set expectations regarding timing.

My goal is to have 4 usable molds so I can get 2 sets done at a time. Time will tell.

You may be thinking, how hard can it be to make a couple molds? Well, it's not if you make molds for a living. Lol...

Lots of "things" can make your molds unusable, air pockets, flashing, slight movements while curing. (Like .5 mm).

But what makes me want to do this, is this community. I f'n love the 40 series, and always will! And t's YOUR love for YOUR rigs that makes it worth it.

Thanks for the opportunity!
Angelo

R

 

[middlecalf]

Other than visual, are there issues with the bubbles shown in the above pic like structural, longevity/decay, fading? Thanks for doing this Angelo.

 

[mrboatman]

That still looks a ħell of a lot better than my 55 year old lenses that I have now

 

[sleepycruiser]

Here's a pic so people can understand the dreaded bubble situation.

This lense is sitting in a factory chrome ring. (Old n crusty but gets the job done) I decided to invest in a vibration table designed for the dental industry. Boy, they really are proud of those tables! It should be here tomorrow. So I'm hoping that will remedy the bubble issue.

And just to reiterate, one lense takes 24 hours to cure. If I have 2 usable molds, it means I can make one set every 24 hours. Just throwing it out there to set expectations regarding timing.

My goal is to have 4 usable molds so I can get 2 sets done at a time. Time will tell.

You may be thinking, how hard can it be to make a couple molds? Well, it's not if you make molds for a living. Lol...

Lots of "things" can make your molds unusable, air pockets, flashing, slight movements while curing. (Like .5 mm).

But what makes me want to do this, is this community. I f'n love the 40 series, and always will! And t's YOUR love for YOUR rigs that makes it worth it.

Thanks for the opportunity!
Angelo

View attachment 3875444
R

That still looks a ħell of a lot better than my 55 year old lenses that I have now

Agreed @mrboatman

I’d take those over mine.

 

[thecrazygreek]

Other than visual, are there issues with the bubbles shown in the above pic like structural, longevity/decay, fading? Thanks for doing this Angelo.

Actually no… And when you look at them with the naked eye, (at least my eyes) I really can’t see the bubbles from 3 feet away.
Maybe I’ll offer a “dent and scratch “ version.

My vibration table just showed up while typing this! I’ll try to get something curing after work today.

 

[sleepycruiser]

Actually no… And when you look at them with the naked eye, (at least my eyes) I really can’t see the bubbles from 3 feet away.
Maybe I’ll offer a “dent and scratch “ version.

My vibration table just showed up while typing this! I’ll try to get something curing after work today.

2nd Dibs on two scratch and dent after @middlecalf

 

[middlecalf]

Hey, I raised the question first. Get in line!

 

[sleepycruiser]

Hey, I raised the question first. Get in line!

Haha! I fixed my post above.

 

[EmanC]

Awesome to see this. I have a set from the original runs that are now yellowed and faded. I'll be in for a new pair in the updated resin.

 

[thecrazygreek]

Quick update on this project...

The vibration table did jack on removing the bubbles... however I did get my compressor up and running again! Turns out some critter decided to have an apartment inside the power Coupler and was blocking the switch from engaging.

The lenses are now turning out bubble free!
There's still a smaller issue concerning the base part of the lense. Where I'm getting small void areas. This won't hinder esthetics however.
Not sure about a solution on that.

Anyway, I'm going to start to get started.

 

[sleepycruiser]

Quick update on this project...

The vibration table did jack on removing the bubbles... however I did get my compressor up and running again! Turns out some critter decided to have an apartment inside the power Coupler and was blocking the switch from engaging.

The lenses are now turning out bubble free!
There's still a smaller issue concerning the base part of the lense. Where I'm getting small void areas. This won't hinder esthetics however.
Not sure about a solution on that.

Anyway, I'm going to start to get started.

View attachment 3880353

Maybe some type of rubber gasket for the base??

I’m just curious of the order these will be sold. Pretty sure I was up top. Lol!

 

[thecrazygreek]

Maybe some type of rubber gasket for the base??

I’m just curious of the order these will be sold. Pretty sure I was up top. Lol!

The stock housing has a built-in gasket so that helps, but the gap maybe a tad bigger. When I was testing the molds and working out the bubble issue, some did have a great base. It's sort of a hit and miss deal, so I am trying different things to see if I can get a consistent result.
I just counted my test lenses, and I am up to 18 so far! And no, none of these will be for sale. (well maybe a couple) But I am going to wait until I have 6 pairs ready to ship before I officially start taking anyone's $$.

The scratch and dent versions will be posted with pictures of each qualifying lense and only be offered to those who have stated interest. There most likely won't be more than a couple pair but you never know.

The order in which they all will sell will be in the order requested in this thread.
The requests received via PM or email will be separate from this thread and sold afterwards. (they are bulk and not in a hurry)

Reminder... It's going to take a while so please be patient.
Thanks again!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

The stock housing has a built-in gasket so that helps, but the gap maybe a tad bigger. When I was testing the molds and working out the bubble issue, some did have a great base. It's sort of a hit and miss deal, so I am trying different things to see if I can get a consistent result.
I just counted my test lenses, and I am up to 18 so far! And no, none of these will be for sale. (well maybe a couple) But I am going to wait until I have 6 pairs ready to ship before I officially start taking anyone's $$.

The scratch and dent versions will be posted with pictures of each qualifying lense and only be offered to those who have stated interest. There most likely won't be more than a couple pair but you never know.

The order in which they all will sell will be in the order requested in this thread.
The requests received via PM or email will be separate from this thread and sold afterwards. (they are bulk and not in a hurry)

Reminder... It's going to take a while so please be patient.
Thanks again!

Very excited to get these! thanks for your hard work and contribution to the Land cruiser community!

 

[thecrazygreek]

Finally have my first quality, bubble free, clear, no issues lense!
I made some tweaks to the process and rebuilt my pressure pot.

I have two more cooking and if they turn out, then I should be on the way!

 

[pardion]

Yahoo!

 

[84runner]

I'll take two pair!
93420 California

 

[kevos37]

I received my set. They look great! Thanks again for your hard work!