Long Cracks

[Mr Bill]

I recently completed the Delta Kits training class and have been practicing on a junkyard windshield at home. I can drill a hole in the glass and tap on the hole with a needle and I can make a small bullseye, but whenever I do the same thing at the end of a crack, the crack continues for about 3/8 inch beyond the bullseye.
What am I doing wrong?

[Delta Kits]

Hi Bill!

First, you need to flex the glass to make sure you can identify the true end of that crack. Many times the crack appears to end in a certain spot, but when flexed, you can see it actually extends farther.

If not done, when you drill your hole, you're not drilling at the true end, and it can still run.

If you have further problems, make sure to call us for tech support!

1.888.811.3451

[Mr Bill]

Thanks Jeff!

[montana]

Hey, Bill you don't have to spend time at a junk yard. Just go to any local auto glass
shop and they will be happy to give you any windshield that they just pulled. Most have plenty of space left to practice on bulls,cracks and,so on.

[Blind Squirrel]

What I learned a when starting out is a windshield on a stand, on a table is the best way to learn how to set up your equipment and practice the fundamentals of drilling and repairing. However, a "loose" windshield is not under the same tension and stress as on still mounted in a car. So, there is learning value is working in a junkyard. It will give you exposure to the different odd positions you have to get into to reach chips on different types of cars, especially larger trucks and vans where using a step will become necessary. A mounted windshield will give you the "true feel" of drilling and mounting your bridge.
Good Luck!
Gary

[magicogar]

I sometimes find that if i tapped too hard to make a bullseye, it'll run past it. Just keep practicing. You'll eventually get it.

Also here's a tip. When working on a chip in the middle of the windshield, you'll not going to have the luxury of standing in front of the windshield and placing the injector right over the chip like you do when practicing at home. What I do is I'd place an awl through the injector and move it around until I hit the center of the chip and then I'll screw the injector down. I think somebody posted this before, but i'm not sure. Hope this helps.

[Almost-New windshield repair]

My first question is: What is holding your practice shield? When I first started, my "base" was putting unusual pressure on the glass because of the way that it was holding it upright. About half my attempts at making damage or 'stopping' a crack ended in a longer crack. I need support for the top of the glass as well.

Just a thought.

Dave

[GlassStarz]

The best way is real world. Thats the junk yard lots of cool stuff to practice on

[Daniel Madu S.]

Please could any body out there answer me this question?there is this crack that runs from a bullseye to the edge of the windshield. How can one do the repair to the edge of the windshield? would it not affect the rubber or the glass? how can one drill this.

Thanks

[toab]

Daniel...check the archives.Screenman and some others taught me to drill and pop a bullseye near the edge of the shield to act as an anchor or "cleat" as I think he calls it.