door handles

[Bird]

Re: door handles

I would really like to see some pictures for the pre war door handle and latch area like what I posted if possible. On another note-has anyone changed the prewar doors to the bc12 doors and what thoughts are there on this aspect-I mean I have them and I would have to change the top-bottom and latch area square tubes for door mounting and relocate the rear windows but no structial fuselage members.

[cvavon]

Re: door handles

Bird here are some pix of the handles on 26658 the one of the inside latch is not as clear as it could be they work fine and there is nothing to go wrong with them

[Gerald McKibben]

Re: door handles

Gerald: Interesting project. As Hank said, Bondo is not strong enough for casting. Polyester resin is good, Epoxy resin is stronger but it's expensive and you can develop a nasty allergy to it. I use polyester. (Auto department of WalMart)

You need glass reinforcement to make it strong. Get some glass cloth and cut fibers out of it. (Ordinary sissors work fine for cutting glass fibers) Cut a couple dozen fibers the full length of the handle but cut most fibers 1/4" or less. Use the short fibers to make a polyester/glass slurry. Add enough catalyzed slurry mixture to fill the mold, then push the long fibers down lengthwise into the soup. Jiggle it good with a paint brush or stick to get the air bubbles out. (Work fast if you're in Mississippi.)

Thanks. That will be a LOT easier than using the steel reinforcement rod. I've got plenty of fiberglass cloth lying around, and also some glass flocking, I think it's called. It is finely ground glass fibers. But I will probably buy the rubber mold compound because you can make more parts with it than with the plaster mold.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: door handles

You can make a "rubber" mold and then encase the rubber in plaster to save some money. you have to make a split plaster mold that supports the much thinner rubber. Plaster is cheap, the silicon rubber is expensive.
Hank

[Bird]

Re: door handles

Received my 1926 Chevy door handles today, they weigh 4.6 oz each and I think I will have them powdercoated chrome (cheaper-easier-faster and almost as durable)

[Gerald McKibben]

Re: door handles

[QUOTE=Hank Jarrett;75960]I been to Mississippi. Nutin happens real fast there cept gettin out of a gators way.
Hank

My T'craft moves along pretty fast!
I built an RV-6A and flew it for 13 years before selling it last September. For several years I had been longing for an old taildragger like I used to fly a long time ago. So I really enjoy the Taylorcraft. But I was prepared for it being slow (compared to the RV). Lately I've flown to a few places 30 - 50 miles away and I'm beginning to realize it's pretty fast! Speed is relative.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: door handles

Perfect example of relative speed is that no matter which way the wind is blowing, going and coming back, the trip is always faster one way than the other between your home and your in-laws!
Hank

[VASWIFT]

Re: door handles

Some photos of pre-war handles posted on the Taylorcraft Facebook Group at

https://www.facebook.com/groups/571231992887131/