new helmstatiion windshield 002

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Comment by bob mitchell on August 1, 2009 at 5:01pm

Work in progress on the new helmstation. I chose quarter sawn southern yellow pine because it is strong, hard, does well in exposed applications (traditional window sill material in the south for centuries) and CHEAP. I can go to home depot or lowes and pick through a pile of 2x12"s and find clear quarter sawn boards for $1.25 or less a board foot. (Whenever they mill a tree the center cut and a couple beside it are quarter sawn - you just cut out the center and use it for something else) The downside is somtimes, depending on the grain pattern (which you learn to recognize and avoid if possible), the pieces cut out of the 2x12 have stresses that show after they are cut from the main board, so leave enough dimension to sqaure up on joiner and planer. Short pieces, like the dimensions for the windshield, do not flex and are unforgiving, so they have to be cut to fit right. Also, predrilling for screws is a must, because the southern pine I am using is really hard. Once you accept those limitations it is a fantastic wood.
I am using laminated glass for the actual windows. They will be hung with stainless piano hinge tucked away under the 6-8" visor, and will swing open for venilation. Above the visor I will shape foam to transition back to a short curved roof and then fiberglass it all. The windshield sits on the pilot house top and is 18" from the back, which, if I approximated correctly, allows room for an unmodified main boom. The new helmstation "console" , which will be accessible through a panel that replaces the large back window of the pilot house, will be an ideal place to concentrate a totally new electrical system, as well as, of course, the original hydraulic steering that is in the pilot house now.