Wings Forum

KevinC · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: Door/window latches

I figured before I go postal I'd better try something other than painting, so I am working on the doors for a while.

Anyone have pictures of the stock door/window latches completed?

thanks

Kevin

gme9261236 · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Hampton, NH 7B3

Not sure exactly what you are looking for but here are a few photos of the stock latches finished.

If you have any specific questions fire away!

gme9261236 · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Hampton, NH 7B3

last one

KevinC · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:29 pm Post subject: latches

How did you connect one part of the latch to the other? Did you have to cut them to length?

thanks

Kevin

gme9261236 · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Hampton, NH 7B3

yes,
He did have to cut them to the correct length and ruined a few in the process. I was not here for that process but my dad did them and can elaborate more when I talk to him on the exact process. I know for a fact they were cut though

Dave Krall CFII SEL SES · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 358 Location: Seattle WA

gme9261236 wrote: yes,
He did have to cut them to the correct length and ruined a few in the process. I was not here for that process but my dad did them and can elaborate more when I talk to him on the exact process. I know for a fact they were cut though

We finally got a complete, matching set of the same style, then ground down the edges a bit to round them off smooth
and finished them up with 4-5 coats of Rustoleum out of an aerosol can in a hammered gold-bronze to get away from so much white paint in the cockpit area. They may get cut or ground down even more where they join together.

It was/will be used for the throttle lever mount, door spring double D brackets, seat rail T pieces and some other small parts in the cockpit/cargo area. Sky blue for the instrument panel metal.

alan · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 122 Location: Baytown, TX

I found that after flying for an hour or two the door latch handle would vibrate open occasionally. That'll wake you up! After that happened once on both doors (now I knew it wasn't just the passenger not properly fastening the latch) I marked the vertical on the door frame, drilled a hole on each side, and installed a screw so that there was a "detent" for the latch to fit into. Presto! Cheap, light, low tech. The door will never vibrate open again.

Alan