I just hope that this get picked up by google so it saves someone else the time that I spent hunting it down. It looks like there is a big setup but that gives you a first windshield, if I wanted to keep a couple extra around and/or sell them off I think that it would be reasonable (even though 20 are required). If anyone else has similar information from a different company, I'd really appreciate it if you posted it here, I'd like to see that too.

Here is the entire email exchange. (Read from the bottom-up, duh!)

Ken,
Good Morning! Thanks for your reply. The template can be made of fiberglass,
wood, metal, glass, plexi glass. Any of these materials are acceptable. In
the past we have received templates made of wood and metal, metal and glass,
fiberglass and metal. The initial cost is for a mold, bending the mold,
checking for proper fit and for general set up. Any additional glass will be
just the cost of the glass plus shipping. Future orders can be placed for a
minimum of twenty pieces. Once we get the size of the glass I can tell you
the cost per windscreen. Without the size of the glass I am unable to figure
cost at this time. Again, Thank You for your interest. Hope to hear from you
soon.
Timothy Morgan
Specialty Glass Account Manager
865-675-0525
865-675-0526 Fax

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken DuCharme [mailto:-email address removed-]
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 7:57 PM
To: warehouse@mail.agpglass.com
Subject: RE: Custom auto-glass information?

Cool, that sounds great! I have a couple of follow-up questions about the
process:
-Can more windshields of the same design be made at a lower cost then?
-What are some of the kinds of material have the templates been made of in
the past? Fiberglass? plaster? wood?

Thanks for you help.
-ken

>From: "warehouse" <warehouse@mail.agpglass.com>
>To: "'Ken DuCharme'" <-email address removed->
>Subject: RE: Custom auto-glass information?
>Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2004 08:16:53 -0500
>
>Ken,
>A CAD file is not necessary but we do need something to give us an exact
>shape , size and curvature. You could give us a template, made of any
>material rigid enough to hold its shape. One custom windshield is usually
>around $2000-3000, but this is just a guestimate. Once we have exact
>measurements then we can quote prices more accurately. The whole process
>takes about 12-16 weeks from the time we get your template or approved
>file.
>Please let me know if we can further assist you.
>Timothy Morgan
>Specialty Glass Account Manager
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ken DuCharme [mailto:-email address removed-]
>Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 8:05 PM
>To: warehouse@mail.agpglass.com
>Subject: RE: Custom auto-glass information?
>
>
>Well I was just wondering if I could get a ballpark estimate on a producing
>a single new windshield. Are we talking $500? $5000? I don't have a
>production-worthy CAD file, there is probably another 3 months until I
>would
>have a CAD model to give you.
>
>Is this possible, or do you need a definite design?
>
>Thanks,
>-ken
>
>
> >From: "warehouse" <warehouse@mail.agpglass.com>
> >To: <-email address removed->
> >Subject: RE: Custom auto-glass information?
> >Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 10:46:57 -0500
> >
> > Ken,
> >Thank You for your interest in our company. We can make custom
>windshields.
> >All we need is either a CAD file or a template that is exact to what you
> >want. We can then discuss cost and time of production. We are able to
> >produce as many pieces or as few pieces as you need. please let me know
>if
> >I
> >can be of further assistance.
> >
> >Timothy Morgan
> >Specialty Glass Account Manager
> >865-675-0525
> >865-675-0526 Fax
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: AGP USA [mailto:agpusa@agpglass.com]
> >Sent: Friday, January 30, 2004 10:40 AM
> >To: Tim
> >Subject: Fw: Custom auto-glass information?
> >
> >
> >From: "Ken DuCharme" <-email address removed->
> >To: <agpusa@agpglass.com>
> >Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 7:21 PM
> >Subject: Custom auto-glass information?
> >
> >
> > > Are you capable of making custom windshields for custom-design cars?
>If
> >so,
> > > is it reasonable to make small numbers of them, or is it only
> >financially
> > > possible in large quantities?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > -ken
> > >
> > > _________________________________________________________________
> > > Check out the coupons and bargains on MSN Offers!
> > > http://shopping.msn.com/softcontent/softcontent.aspx?scmId=1418
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Check out the coupons and bargains on MSN Offers!
>http://shopping.msn.com/softcontent/softcontent.aspx?scmId=1418
>
>

My state requires lights, seatbelts, etc, and for windshield it says "Clear" and "Safety Glass" that is why I looked specifically for safety glass. Does anyone know how closely they check that? Could I get away with lexan? I could etched "DOT approved" using my CNC machine.

And has anyone ever ground down a windshield (like they say here: www.desertlord.com/kingdomcustoms/faq.shtml#parts" target="_blank">http://www.desertlord.com/kingdomcustoms/faq.shtml#parts)

Thanks,
-ken

Thanks though!

I've read some things about grinding windshields down to a template, but this doesn't sound to me like its something that my local auto glass shop could do. Am I wrong on this assumption?

Or are you talking about just editing my design to accomodate the windshield? This isn't a very desireable option, but I guess I could make compromises. Would I just walk around a parking ramp and measure people's windshields?

Thanks for your help!

if you go to them i suggest you make a solid template in fiberglass and make it as accurate as you possibly can in both size and shape,
that way if it is wrong and doesn't fit your original template the onus is on them to rectify it.

hope i helped
trevor

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