I laughed when I saw this....and then i started thinking.....That would work! :eek:

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/500/12287Goodidea.jpg

Yes that is a Poly cutting board. It would not dent, never rust, deflect, not conduct heat, easy to cut and drill and cheap to make. If only it came in a different color :rolleyes:

I looked around for pricing... and found a place with 20"x15"x1/2" for $6.63 Each.

Or another place which you can order custom color and size for $12.24 Sq. Ft. Up to 60"x120"x1/2" They also Carry 1" thick.

Don't laugh, but I have made a few things out of this material. One was when I fabed a new bracket for my air ride suspension sensor. Hey, I don't have the tools or know how to fab out of metal so I had to make due with what I had! It has worked for about a year now with no problems, and it survived the cold winter we had last year.

I have heard that with the correct thickness they work great because they are so damn slick and you slide over everything no sweat.

There is a material called "UHMW" that we use at work all the time. It is cheap and comes in various thicknesses. We use it a lot for areas where object have to slide over surfaces without marring the object. This stuff works great. It can be cut with just about any saw (table saw works great) and is easyily drilled.

You can get that type material for free if you find poly barrels and cut them apart. Chemical barrels are typically made of some of the best stuff on earth, and you can get several sheets out of one. They run to over 1/4 inch thick and in many colors.

There are some rock crawler dudes that are using the poly to cover the undersides of their buggies - cheap - rebounds from a hit - and easy to work with. It can gouge or stick on a rock, but likely no worse than aluminum or steel.

hhmm... anyone knows if home depot has some? interesting.

hhmm... anyone knows if home depot has some? interesting.

yea this has def got me thinking....i wanted a skid plate and this looks like a great option.

Interesting idea.

I would like to see a pic of a rock on a jack lifting the front of that truck right in the center of the poly. That would, at least, start to convince me of its strength (ultimately like to see twice my truck weight on it).

I looked around for pricing... and found a place with 20"x15"x1/2" for $6.63 Each.

Or another place which you can order custom color and size for $12.24 Sq. Ft. Up to 60"x120"x1/2" They also Carry 1" thick.


wherer did you find this info at? website?

yea seriously, where's this website at?

and different colors? sounds like a rattle can job to me. or for $3.15 you get a big can un undercoating...

this stuff would fit my needs perfectly.. basically protect sticks from protruding my radiator (i dont rock crawl often). And ive been thinking of designing a skid plate that would protect and also channel air to the bottom of the engine...

The 16x20
http://www.instawares.com/Cutting-Board-Plastic-20in-x-15in.CBWT-1520.0.7.htm

and the multi color and size
http://www.cuttingboardcompany.com/index.asp


another one
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=20364&Page=1&utm_id=1

awesome...thanks for the info....i am def going to check this out...seems like a great and inexpensive way of protection

ill be making some measurements tomorrow :D


another reason i like this stuff- its light as hell too... i was gonna make one out of 1/4" steel but #1 its a pain to shape #2 its a pain to cut #3 id ruin a few drill bits #4 its heavy.

For trail rigs, this stuff may not be the way to go... but for a DD like mine that offroads 80% of the time in the Pines... its gold :thumbsup:

awesome...thanks for the info....i am def going to check this out...seems like a great and inexpensive way of protection


Welcome ;) Should I post the picture that the skid plate is on? :D

You will not belive it! How about a before picture :p

http://www.lexus.com/assets/models/gallery/photos/main_assets/gx/exterior/GX-018.jpg

enough teasing, lets see it :D

OK here she is :eek:

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/500/12287Lexus-med.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/data/500/12287Lexas_Rear.jpg

crazy stuff...i would cruse around it in :D

thats awesome and a great idea....the lexus doesn't surprise me, i was actually waiting for something like that- those things are awesome off-road stock.

ok, help me find a 30x30 sheet of this stuff

otherwise ill be making a "skeleton" out of those metal bars from home depot and buying two sheets/cutting them symetrical to each other/bolting on..but thats a lot more work than getting 30x30 and cutting it to the shape i want :D

holy crap:
color size $/sqft total
Black .5" thick Custom Cut - 30"w / 30"h 1 $12.24/sqft $76.50
Checkout Price $76.50

same size in white = $56

Instead of the cutting boards or the UHMW go with a material called Delrin. Its harder and slicker than the UHMW (we use both here at work) probably about like the cutting board. And you can order it from McMaster Carr in pretty much whatever size you want. Actually you can probably order the material they make the cutting boards out of from them.

The only issue with the Delrin is whether it will flex that much for you, but hey, another guy working here is planning on using it to make a full skid pan for his rallycross car.

Just my 2 cents.

i was actually not even planning on having it flex like that. was going to hook it up from the bottom of my brush guard and go straight back to my cross member like the tranny line protector does. Only problem i see is finding a way to bolt it to the cross member..
and since the material is somewhat flexible, i was thinking about using a round joint to connect it to the brush guard rather than bolting it... that way incase of an accident with a tree or something it would have more room to flex and not shear..
http://www.explorerforum.com/data/2/12637snow_007.jpg

This subject has been discussed pretty extensively on Pirate.com.

Here are some links: (before posting there, read the dates)

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=255405&highlight=plastic+skid+plate

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286225&highlight=plastic+skid+plate

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243638&highlight=plastic+skid+plate

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238070&highlight=plastic+skid+plate

i was just gonna say, i checked out that delrin stuff; i dont think its worth $230 for a 24"x48" sheet..

the custom colors are pretty expensive, but if you just go with a pre made cutting board from one of the other sites its still really inexpensive, i am also going to see what the stores at home have this weekend

Remember - chemical storage barrels = FREE...

They are between 1/4" and 3/8". I've cut up tons of them... You get a nice big sheet and several smaller pieces.

Cut them with a sawsall - circle saw - jig saw, whatever.

Just make sure that you wear gloves when handling the barrels initially - try to understand what was in them, and use some basic chemistry to neutralize. Start by rinsing them out carefully with H2O, then if acid, neutralize with caustic if caustic, neutralize with acid - weak solution, rinse around, rinse with clear water.

Remember - chemical storage barrels = FREE...

and use some basic chemistry to neutralize.


That is why I ALWAYS lick the barrels that I use, clean. That is why I ALWAYS lick the barrels that I use clean. That is why I ALWAYS lick the barrels that I use clean. That is why I ALWAYS lick the barrels that I use clean. That is why I ALWAThaThat is why I ALWAYSThat is why I ALWAYS lick the barrels that I use clean. lick the barrels That is why I ALWAYS lick the barrels that I use clean.that I use clean.t is why I ALWAYS lick That is why I ALWAYS lick the barrels thaThat is why I ALWAYS lick the barrels that I use clean.t I use clean.the barrels that I use clean.YS lick the barrels that I use clean.UUUUUUUUUuUUuuuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuruurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...........................

:p

Anyone made one out of the UHMW or the plastic barrel????

ehhh never got around to it......i couldent find one local the size i needed, so i just put it off till anoter time....plus i am flat broke

i really like this idea, and i am desperate need of some more protextion for my X. so i was wondering where would i bolt this "cutting board" to?
Davis

Thats awesome! I want to see how well it holds up :)
Whats next? teflon coated skid plates? for slickrock? hahaha

Great thread, this will be perfect for my ATV!!!

I know this size has been posted before, but I just saw at my local Wal-Mart a 15x20 cutting board it $9.00. Maybe that would be less expensive than the $7.00 one on the internet plus shipping. Plus a little more conveinent (sp?).
Not sure if anyone has measured underneath their truck, so I dont know if this will fit. I'll get on it soon. I really need some radiator protection for now.

I got a 30"x30" for mine, but I am sure you could get creative and make a bracket to hold the two pieces of cutting board together and cut to shape. I'll have to check it out at my local Wal-mart.

You got 30x30? Let's see pics installed. Everyone keeps talking up the idea, but no action yet.....are you our guinea pig?

another source for it:

www.ainplastics.com

They have facilities all over the place.

I think Rubbermaid should immediately begin the production of rock crawlers. I mean seriously, tumble it down a rock wall, flip it back over, and [thunk] pop the dents back out like the garbage can you backed into in the garage. Or, never again worry about someone backing into you in a parking lot!

That's my million dollar idea.

Seriously, though, I've got my doubts about the ability of a 1/2" cutting board Delrin or otherwise and its ability to hold a 3000 lb vehicle off a rock. Maybe once or twice, but I don't see it lasting.

-Joe

great idea seen it on four wheelers and works extremely well never really put it with anything any bigger

I've got a couple of SHEETS of the stuff from a project at work... :D

It will be covering a lot of the underneath of my Ranger build.

The best thing is that NOTHING sticks to it -- bye-bye mud.

Actually, that stuff is pretty strong. There are sheets of it under the combind heads that we have on our farm, that are constantly drug over the ground to keep the height of the head constant with slight ground variations. We've never broken any and they are constanly going over rocks, and corn stalks, which are a lot stronger then you think. I would put some sort of a frame to suport it though, because it does flex a a bit depending on thinkness.

my sliders will have plastic, um er well sliders.
welcome to march 2005

so I thought, i's bring this thread back from the dead.

I still need to build a skid plate for my t-case, so I think I'll give this a try. I'm going to order a piece of 18"x36" that will mount right under the frame like a belly pan. My only concern is at this point is, one of my cats is right over where it would be. This stuff has a melting point of about 220*-260*:( Maybe if I wrap the cat with header tape or something:rolleyes:

What's the clearance between cat and skidplate? Even 1/2" or so should make a big difference in heat transfer (as long as you're right side up that is... ;)). Let me know how it works if you do it. I'm deciding on a front skidplate myself and the "standard" (Ranger/Superlift) parts look like tin foil compared to modern plastics.

I will be watching this.


Possibly a weight saving option for the new crawler

Maybe for the temperature you could put some shielding on it

Just to add my 2 pennies, I work here in St Louis at a electrical parts manufacturer and use the above mentioned materials in various thickness' including UHMW, Delrin, teflon, nylon, and lexan. We also carry fibreglass reinforced sheet laminates. I run a 10' CNC panel saw and have cut and machined these materials daily, some of the sheet laminates have really surprized me at the flexability and strength of these materials. This has really got me thinking because of the amount of materials that we throw away. Over the next couple days I am going to be getting the material spec sheets including the fracture test, heat restistance, and costs per Sq.ft

This has really got me thinking because of the amount of materials that we throw away.

A new Vendor! ;)

well I recived my cuttingboard today:D looks like it should work good, It pretty rigid, until you step in the middle and it flexs but, I think it will work well. My plan is to make a template from cardboard and then cut and drill the cuttingboard. I will use the rear bolt holes off the trans suport for a front mounting location, and then have some kind of bracket to mount the sides to the frame, and then a rear mount off the front of the gas tank mount I think.

Put some sort of backer metal behind it - otherwise the first time you drop down on a stump, you'll punch a hole right through it.

Any cutting boards from walmart I could drill and bolt right up? lol (I'm serious.)

Put some sort of backer metal behind it - otherwise the first time you drop down on a stump, you'll punch a hole right through it.

yes, I was thinking of using something light like 1/8" for support. I think the two together will make it strong;)

yes, I was thinking of using something light like 1/8" for support. I think the two together will make it strong;)

Get some construction adhesive, and glue the two together. The belly plate on the zuk is only 3/16", and it's kinda beat up, but it works good!

And use some big ass fender washers to spread the load as much as possible

Get some construction adhesive, and glue the two together. The belly plate on the zuk is only 3/16", and it's kinda beat up, but it works good!

3/16" steel right? I was going to use that, but I figured I'd try something different. It works for all the pro rock crawler! Plus 1/8" steel plus 1/2" plastic, equals 5/8", should be good:thumbsup:

Sorry it took so long to get prices, had issues with my aunts Lincoln Mark VIII had to fix for her.

I am still going to get the heat resistance and impact strength numbers.

Lexan comes Clear and some thickness' avail. in white
.236" thick @ $3.75 sqft
.375" thick @ $7.37sqft
.500" thick @ $10.75sqft


UHMW white only that i know of
.250" thick @ $4.16 sqft
.375" thick @ $5.27 sqft
.500" thick @ $7.77 sqft
.625" thick @ $10.54 sqft
1.00" thick @ $15.09 sqft

Delrin white
.250" thick @ $11.09 sqft
1.00" thick @ $56.52 sqft

Teflon not sure of color
.250" thick @ $18.00 sqft
.375" thick @ $37.50 sqft

Nylon cream colored
.625" thick @ $35.70 sqft

ABS black
.250" thick @ $ 2.25 sqft I think this might be wrong going to dig deeper
.500" thick @ $28.43 sqft

these prices are cost and will need approx 10% markup for cutting/handling and some material will need to be ordered, and UPS shipment is availible

If anybody would like to explore possibilities. PM me and i'll see what kinda of price for size and shipment. I may take a couple days. I'm still diggin.

No one do this yet? I just found this and I think im ganna go check out Home Depot and Lowes and see if they carry any of this stuff. I wonder if you took 2 or 3 pieces and put them together and used a heat gun if you could actually fuze them together...any thoughts?

No one do this yet? I just found this and I think im ganna go check out Home Depot and Lowes and see if they carry any of this stuff. I wonder if you took 2 or 3 pieces and put them together and used a heat gun if you could actually fuze them together...any thoughts?

You won't be able to fuse UHMW plastic together that way. It is basically impervious to everything, including heat fusing. Not even many glues that work well with it.

Also, Home Depot or Lowes won't have that stuff. They'll sell run of the mill plexiglas, but unless you could get that in about 1" thickness, it wouldn't hold up at all as a skid plate.

Find a plastics or rubber distributor. They're the ones that have the stuff. Everything listed above and about a thousand other types you've never heard of. They also sometimes have a drops pile with cut-offs and corner damaged sheets for sale much cheaper.

I actally have the material in garage to do this, just never got around to it.:rolleyes:

^ pfft well get on it! lol