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-   -   Todd's Canopies (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=14628)

briand 07-19-2007 10:30 AM

[quote=briand]3/16" thick. :eek: QUOTE]


Have these always been made so thin?

I finally had a chance to go through, examine and inventory my finish kit and noticed it only takes a few pounds of pressure to push in the canopy. I thought someone posted that the Todds' were 1/4 thick. I figure if they start out with 3/16", after the stretching/forming is done the dome part is probably even thinner.


http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/var...ant%5Fid=44341

apatti 07-19-2007 12:25 PM

[quote=briand]
Quote:

Originally Posted by briand
3/16" thick. :eek: QUOTE]


Have these always been made so thin?

I finally had a chance to go through, examine and inventory my finish kit and noticed it only takes a few pounds of pressure to push in the canopy. I thought someone posted that the Todds' were 1/4 thick. I figure if they start out with 3/16", after the stretching/forming is done the dome part is probably even thinner.


http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/var...ant%5Fid=44341


When I talked to Todd earlier this week he told me that the 1/4" canopies were unnecessairily heavy. He says he now uses .220" thickness.

When I mentioned tinting (I want some tinting but I want to be able to see at night) he said a lot of folks are going with #2094 Light Gray. He said this is similar to what a lot of autos have. Anyone care to comment on their experiences with different tints?

briand 07-19-2007 12:45 PM

.220 is still quite a bit more than .177. IF I ever build again or(god forbid) I need to replace my canopy I will go with Todds for sure. The canopy I have is pretty light so I can't imagine the extra thickness will add much weight overall.

I personally think the tint on mine is too dark but I don't have the money to replace it so I'll live with it. I don't know how it will do in night VFR but I figure all you can see at night are lights anyway so maybe it won't matter.

Edit:
I just weighed my Vans canopy and it comes in at an untrimmed 23 pounds. I figure about 20 after its trimmmed. So the .220 would weigh about 4.86 pounds more.

rv72004 07-19-2007 02:16 PM

Just for laughs, if I remember correctly, my Glasair windshield was 3/8 inch thick. Side glass was 1/4 inch. I must say it was comforting to know I had some bird strike protection.

My 7 ,well ,a bug strike will probably cause damage.

apatti 07-19-2007 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briand
Edit:
I just weighed my Vans canopy and it comes in at an untrimmed 23 pounds. I figure about 20 after its trimmmed. So the .220 would weigh about 4.86 pounds more.


We didn't talk weight difference this time. However, I did ask him about that a while back. My best recollection is that he said there was a 4 - 5 lb increase in his .220 canopy. So, nice estimate.

vmirv8bldr 08-16-2007 02:06 PM

Todd? Todd? Anyone seen Todd?
 
I want to order one of Todd's Canopies. I sent an email, no reply. When I called, it rolls straight to voicemail, and the voicemailbox is full, so I'm not allowed to leave a message. I have tried to call for three days with the same result. Does anyone have any info?

Thanks,
Bart

decathlon737 08-16-2007 03:10 PM

Todd's gone
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by vmirv8bldr
I want to order one of Todd's Canopies. I sent an email, no reply. When I called, it rolls straight to voicemail, and the voicemailbox is full, so I'm not allowed to leave a message. I have tried to call for three days with the same result. Does anyone have any info?

Thanks,
Bart


I received my canopy from Todd yesterday. He shipped it Monday right before he left for Europe. Not sure how long he'll be there but explains why you can't reach him.
Bill Woods
RV8 QB
IO 360 A1B

mannanj 08-16-2007 07:32 PM

Thickness
 
While trimiing the lower edge of the canopy on my -8, I measured the thickness of the trimed slice in the area between the front and rear seats. One side was .090 in. the other was about .100 in. Afraid to guess what it is at the top!

If I had it to do over, you bet I would go with Todd's. I can diet a couple of days and lose 4 or 5 pounds.


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