Hatch Masters

[Hardin Valley Magic]

O.k. Dean here it is over build of the week.
I used 14 thats right 14 pieces 3/4 thick doubled up with 2x2's between them with a 2x2 piece at the top and a solid 2x2 at the bottom.
No spring back just heavier made than it shoulda been.

[mikeschn]

HVM,

That's a hatch after Dean's own heart... What better to go with an over built trailer than an overbuilt hatch... Sorry guys, I couldn't resist...

It may be heavy, but it's certainly not going to flex. But you'll need heavy duty hatch supports. I would definitely consider gas shocks, so you don't rupture a disc every time you try to open it.



Mike...

[madjack]

HVM,

That's a hatch after Dean's own heart... What better to go with an over built trailer than an overbuilt hatch... Sorry guys, I couldn't resist...

It may be heavy, but it's certainly not going to flex. But you'll need heavy duty hatch supports. I would definitely consider gas shocks, so you don't rupture a disc every time you try to open it.



Mike...

...yeah, some 150# ones at that ........................................

[Hardin Valley Magic]

Yeah thats what the better half says too. It became my duty to be the one to open the vault door.
As for struts still don't havem but am planning on them.. Extra heavy duty!!

[Boodro]

HVM , aaahhh ... mabye some good ol Monroematic air shocks would be the ticket???

[s4son]

O.k. Dean here it is over build of the week.
I used 14 thats right 14 pieces 3/4 thick doubled up with 2x2's between them with a 2x2 piece at the top and a solid 2x2 at the bottom.
No spring back just heavier made than it shoulda been.

That should help keep the tongue weight down!



Scott F.

[Jim Marshall]

Looks like we will be staring on our hatch next week. I have a couple of questions, how much clearance should I have between our outside ribs and the inside of our side? Does anyone have a link to the gas hatch supports?

[Hardin Valley Magic]

1/4" gap for sides http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=5199&highlight=hatch+gap
hatch support figuring. http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6319&highlight=gas+struts+hatch
Hope it helps.

[Jim Marshall]

Thanks Steve, don't know why I didn't remember that but I didn't. I have looked at the Generic Benroy plans a bunch of times but just forgot. I really do appreciate you posting the link.

[Hardin Valley Magic]

Any thing I can to help with the "Vol-N-Tear" !!

[Gage]

I built my Cubby's hatch with horizontal spars and thought I had it perfectly fitted to the frame...but I now have spring back. <snip>.

Yep that's what happens when there is nothing to hold the shape. The ply is always going to want to straighten out.

Since spring back seems so darn common there must be some generally agreed-to method of getting out of a bad situation.
What do you recommend?

Spring back is only common with those who don't listen and insist on building thier hatches with only horizontal spars. The way I built my (but not rule) 5'wide and 4'high hatch with a constant curve in it, was basicly the frame work in the tear. Then I took it to the work bench (after applying about 5 or 6 screws to hold the exterior skin to the frame) and applied all the remaining screws. That first skin was only a temp skin that was on the tear for two years. The current skin is glued with some alum twist nails. When it was finished on the work bench, I took and just placed it where it should go and it fit perfectly just laying in place. So easly a hatch can be built with no problems or spring back.

Have a good day & good luck on which ever way you decide to go.

P.S. You can see the way I built mine on page 12 of my build site. http://www.gages-56.com/tear12.html?

[Guest]

O.k. Dean here it is over build of the week.
I used 14 thats right 14 pieces 3/4 thick doubled up with 2x2's between them with a 2x2 piece at the top and a solid 2x2 at the bottom.
No spring back just heavier made than it shoulda been.

Yaaa!!!
Now we're loggin!!!
That looks great!!!

Jim,
I don't know if there is a set rule on clearance from sidewall to rib...
I'm still debating that one myself... I wanna put some snaps on the sides of the outer ribs, so I can snap on side wall flaps when the hatch is open, but I need to think about the strike lengths on the latch too. I might run a dado and have the snaps reccessed, so I don't need to have as much clearance... Just haven't made up my mind on that one yet. I just know that putting them on the side of the rib would be a good place, because they wouldn't show when the hatch is closed.

[Gage]

<snip>
Jim,
I don't know if there is a set rule on clearance from sidewall to rib...
I'm still debating that one myself... I wanna put some snaps on the sides of the outer ribs, so I can snap on side wall flaps when the hatch is open, but I need to think about the strike lengths on the latch too. I might run a dado and have the snaps reccessed, so I don't need to have as much clearance... Just haven't made up my mind on that one yet. I just know that putting them on the side of the rib would be a good place, because they wouldn't show when the hatch is closed.

Dean, have at least a 1/4" gap on both sides and you'll have no problem. You'll find the the hatch will move side to side in travel just a little bit. And if you have it flush to the sides, you'll still be able to open it but when it comes time to close it. Well I'll let you figure out that part. But now if you use a piano hinge, that won't happen. Also I suggest you add end stops to the hurricane. Think your snap location out. It's a good idea but could cause problems.

Have a good day.

[Jim Marshall]

Thanks fellows, I really do appreciate your input. I just want to do it right the first time so I won't have to do it over.

[Gage]

Thanks fellows, I really do appreciate your input. I just want to do it right the first time so I won't have to do it over.

Look at it this way. If you don't do it right the first time and have to do it over. It could be concidered something learned that day. Lately it's been very difficult learning something new every day. For me anyways.

Have a good day.