Casting Tcme Lense

[PeanutHead]

So I might have made a small mistake. I bought a TCME taillight on eBay this weekend for DIRT CHEAP. Now I noticed in the pictures that the lense is melted a little on the bottom but I'm not too worried about that. I'm hoping to heat it up a little and try to move it back into shape. I looked over the pictures again today (after getting the "its been shipped" email) and I think the lense is cracked. I'm hoping the lense isn't too far gone because I'm going to try and recast/mold it and possiblly make custom replacements. Once I get it in, I'll post tons of pictures and updates on progress.

[farmall]

Excellent! I've seen info on the internet but never done it myself.

It would be interesting to know the most rugged and UV/fade resistant lens material.

[PeanutHead]

This is gonna be a trial and error thing too dude.

So I got the light in today and my suspicious were correct, the lense is cracked. The heat warpage is a little worse too. I'm going to try and glue the broken piece back in place today and MAYBE start the mold.

[MOTher]

I've had the bad lens problem on a box taillight before. What I did was find a car taillight lens that was flat and big enough to cut the size I needed out of the center, then cut, and sand it to shape, and drill it carefully. Worked for me 'til I sold that bike.

[confab]

I've had the bad lens problem on a box taillight before. What I did was find a car taillight lens that was flat and big enough to cut the size I needed out of the center, then cut, and sand it to shape, and drill it carefully. Worked for me 'til I sold that bike.

Along those same lines ^^^

https://straight-eight.com/product/pyraline-lens-for-tail-lights/

I hate to mention the "A" word, but there's a lot of generic lenses there with the sizes listed. Maybe you can shave one?

Example:

https://www.amazon.com/Optronics-A16RBP-Red-Replacement-Lens/dp/B00NIZNZXI/ref=sr_1_82?dchild=1&keywords=tail+light+lense+material&qid=1631646959&sr=8-82

[PeanutHead]

Trying to fix part of the lense was a bit of a success. I was able to fix the top "bubble" part by making it flatter. Yes I burned the lense but again, I'm going to recast it later. Also, the glue held the small broken piece well.

[confab]

Cool.. A LED bulb would probably be easier on it temperature wise, in the future.

[PeanutHead]

So I was hoping to have fixed and cast at least one new lense by now but I've slacked off hars core. I did however make a lense out of 1/8" plexiglass. I'll post pics in a few. Turned out OK but not perfect.

[confab]

Just thinking out loud, along these same lines..

Relative has a 3D printer. Wonder if there's any media available for those things that is suitable for lens making?

[farmall]

Relative has a 3D printer. Wonder if there's any media available for those things that is suitable for lens making?

Apparently so and this guy is going beyond that with custom LED guts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYJ6HL8lgcA

If you can find someone with a scanner you can import the image into CAD then mod it as you like.

[confab]

That's badass.. Wicked shop they've got, too..

I'd live in a place like that.

Seriously. Not kidding even a little bit.