Bullet-resistant? Yes, Becker-resistant,err...no...

M

MacTech

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Jan 7, 2006
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I have a pile of 2" thick polycarbonate windows, I get them from work, they're from old grocery store scanner/scales, we replace them when they get scratched enough to cause barcode scan failures...

I've tested them, they are completely resistant to .22LR, .22 mag leaves a small surface crater, .38 special leaves a slightly deeper crater, 000 Buckshot a lead smear, .357 Mag cracks the window in half, but the bullet doesn't get through, however, a 20 gauge Brenekke slug and .223/5.56 destroy the window and punch through...

How does the Becker BK4 fare?
8E2366A3-C3C0-45B6-BEB8-FCD06EB070A2_zpswqjby1rs.jpg

A2434E1C-4A79-4367-A9B3-CAB51835C6E1_zpsejqrel5m.jpg

Pretty good...

My first swing split the window completely in two, and after all the chopping you see there, the edge was still shaving sharp, the residue on the blade was from batoning I was doing just before the polycarbonate test...
 
Hmm....
Clear polycarbonate scales, that'd look cool...
Now to find someone with the ability to machine and polish polycarbonate plastic into Becker scales.....
 
That ain't a bad idea. Even better, you could put a picture under the scales to really customize it.
 
bigghoss said:
That ain't a bad idea. Even better, you could put a picture under the scales to really customize it.
Click to expand...

Now That would have sent Guyons " Pink and Naked" thread to the Pirates Cove!

But, I agree they would make some peculiar looking scales. Possibly a little slick, but clear liners at 1/8" under micarta would be nice.
 
That's not the strangest thing about the scanner scales, they actually *talk*, the logic board has an embedded voice synthesis chip (sounds kinda like a Mattel Speak and Spell) and when a diagnostic mode barcode is scanned, it actually tells you the failure state...

Scale-failed-code<number>
<diagnostic procedure>

Most common failures?
Scale failed, code 5
Clean under deck, next do scale calibration, then change digital board, then change load cell...

Lower motor failed, change motor, change digital board...

<upper or lower> laser* failed change laser diode...

*the way it pronounces "laser" is amusing, it has a very effeminate, lisping pronunciation it's not "lay-sir", but "leah-sure", I keep visualizing Doctor Evil "quotation fingers" when it lisps out "laser"
 
Add this to the list of new and exciting things one can do with a BK-4.

Thanks for sharing.
 
That polycarbonate never had a chance......
BK4 - 1 ......polycraponite - 0

Kinda reminds me of the old sat night live skits. "Da bears". Ditka vs. All of heavens angels.
 
MacTech said:
Hmm....
Clear polycarbonate scales, that'd look cool...
Now to find someone with the ability to machine and polish polycarbonate plastic into Becker scales.....
Click to expand...
bigghoss said:
That ain't a bad idea. Even better, you could put a picture under the scales to really customize it.
Click to expand...

Polycarb's not difficult to work with, you can cut and polish it with handtools and a little patience. Either for scales or a "stacked" handle on a narrow tang. Clear plexiglass/lexan/whatever salvaged from broken aircraft canopies was used to make a lot of cool knives back in the WWII era. Often called "theater" knives because they were made or customized by servicemen actually in the theater of operations. Not my pics, just examples I found on the web:

13717512907651242674843.jpeg


marbles.jpg
 
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Pretty neat. Kind of amazing that it did nothing to the blade. Definitely a cool experiment.
 
Yetidayhiker said:
That polycarbonate reminds me of ice. What about ice? Anyone work at a icehouse?
Click to expand...

You're gonna want an ice blade and ice sheath to go with that. But ice ain't cheap. For $500, I can make all and send you the works. Ground shipping included.*

*not responsible for damage or melting during shipment.
 
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JWheel said:
You're gonna want an ice blade and ice sheath to go with that. But ice ain't cheap. For $500, I can make all and send you the works. Ground shipping included.*

*not responsible for damage or melting during shipment.
Click to expand...

JWheel,

I'll have to take a rain check on your kindly offer. BUT, it would be priceless to see how TSA would handle that one at security.....
 
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