Building the "Heart of Gold" - Done 3/9/2014

[drewh1]

Started out attaching the door latch with wood but threw out the idea and made these metal brackets instead. Now I am ready to skin the hatch and will apply the outside skin first. The door mechanism feels much more solid with metal brackets.

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[RandyG]

Nice, looks real solid. How is the action of the latch? Does it pull the hatch in or do you need to push while you turn? I was thinking of using the same latch.

[drewh1]

Hi Randy - thanks! it is very solid. Following the advice of some of the other threads, I am not going to position the rod holes and the latch slot until everything is assembled and the hatch seal is in place. Then I will close the hatch with a small amount of pressure, ensure that the seal is compressed and mark the holes and slot. It is recommended to use lipstick or some other marking substance on the tips of the rods to mark the holes. I am also going to drill the holes at a slight angle so that the rods will pull in when engaged. I'll also make some aluminum plates to cover the holes and help guide the rods into the sides.

You might also notice the hatch mechanism is upside down and backwards. I am not sure how it is usually installed but this is the only way I could get enough depth on the bottom latch to make it secure. Putting it in this way gave me about an inch of depth to where the blade will hit the floor when the hatch is closed. I had to straighten the blades of the latch a bit to make this work. Hope that is helpful, if not I can try to get you some more detailed photos.

I like the idea of having three points where the latch mechanism will secure the hatch. I think it is going to work great when finished.

drew.

[RandyG]

Yeah that is helpful. I had the idea of angled holes to help pull it in but havent thought about the three points. Thanks!

[drewh1]

you probably already know this - there are two different latch mechanisms - one with just the rods, and the one I have with rods and a pivoting plate. the threeway is the one to get.

[Junkboy999]

It is coming along nicely Drew.
Keep it up.

[drewh1]

thanks, any encouragement is always appreciated. framing the hatch felt like a big step forward. of course, there is lots left to do. And, I was going to buy a tongue box but I have realized I have so much wood left over. I will have to build one to use it up!

[drewh1]

Super excited about this - I imitated the Camp-Inn Hatch support. It turned out great and works very easily.

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[KCStudly]

Very nice!

[celticquetzel]

Wow. A true beauty. Thanks for sharing all the great ideas and progress photos. Can't wait to see the rest.

[drewh1]

Thanks for the complement! I am actually seeing light at the end of this tunnel. Did a lot of the wiring this weekend. Then I turned out the lights in the garage and sat in it flipping the lights on and off I realized I need some kind of mood lighting for those special nights!

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[aggie79]

Fantastic! You're in the home stretch now. The Camp-Inn style hatch support is awesome!

[drewh1]

Well Tom, coming from you, that is a real complement! Your build and build journal have been a big influence, especially the way you built the ceiling separately, really worked well for me.

Happy Holidays!

drew.

[rand_98201]

Ive been following along with this build and youre doing a great job.

[drewh1]

Thanks!