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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 10, 2009 8:50:01 GMT 10
Hi Guys, The Arrow was missing a roof hatch, so I'm making one to put in place. What I don't know, is what the "mechanism" was, that holds the hatch in place? This what is there. Front sliding slot  Rear sliding slot  and a catch  If anyone has something similar, could you please post some pictures so I can see how it works. Many thanks, Ron |
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Post by minicamper on Sept 10, 2009 9:14:13 GMT 10
Ron,
I'm only guessing here, but the slide, I would say would have been for a slide back flyscreen.
The last photo looks like the provision for a cabinet lock tongue, turn the key and the lock sides into that fitting.
I reckon it would have been hinged on the outside as there are no obvious marks for internal hinges or stays?
Cheers
Chris
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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 10, 2009 10:05:22 GMT 10
Thanks Chris,
I'll have a look on the outside and see what is there.
Cheers,
Ron
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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 11, 2009 18:53:21 GMT 10
I must say, I'm very disappointed at the lack of replies to this question. All I wanted to see was the mechanism that hold the roof hatch up and down. I have a large hole in the top of mt caravan and no idea of what was in place. The smaller "Arrow" was different. I need to see what a wood hatch, 85 by 185 cm, had as a lifting device! Surely some one out there has a Bondwood Caravan with a large roof hatch? All I want is a few pics of how it works.  Cheers, Ron |
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Post by JBJ on Sept 11, 2009 19:47:27 GMT 10
Hi Ron,
Every caravan has a different hatch mechanism, with all sorts of ideas used that generally work.
No one else has an Arrow to be able to show you. Thats why no one would be able to present you with an instant fix.
One thing you learn quickly when you rebuild a caravan with missing bits, is that you have to look around & imagine how what you see in another van will work in yours.
Theres no quick fix unfortunately.
I know when I had to make a new hatch for Lucille, the original hinge setup didnt work very well. I spent several weeks of spare time making things, trying them, throwing them out, & starting again. I now have a real basic system that allows either end to open at one time, using stuff i bought at Bunnings.
But dont expect miracle cures. They dont happen.
Make your new hatch allowing about 25mm all round at sides. Let the top sit on the inner hatch frame , with the sides just above the roof. That way you can fit a rubber seal on top of the inner frame, & at bottom of hatch. Look at as many old vans as you can, they nearly all use a hinge/strut you can buy at Bunnings. Then work out if it will work for yours. Then work out how you can lock it together when its closed so the hatch doesnt blow off again.
Best of luck with it, but the hatch is one of the easy bits to fix,
JBJ
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Post by willyn on Sept 11, 2009 19:56:41 GMT 10
  Hi ronmcgr here is my hatch on my 10 ft aristavan pretty simple configuration for a massive hatch    the hatch is about in old terms 3ft x 5ft in fact opens up the whole van for people like pottsy who are around ten ft with me it doesnt matter although im growing through my head and on my seventieth birthday im hoping to be 5 ft at least    regards Will
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heath
New Member
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Post by heath on Sept 11, 2009 23:46:17 GMT 10
Hi Ron, Good luck with the hatch on the Arrow - sounds like you're a little despondent with responses to date. Have you gone through all the pages of both Technical and General forums? It takes ages, but its amazing how much you can find out from the incredible data base of knowledge members have, over time, input into the site. The little rig I'm restoring doesn't even have a name, rego or ID but I've learnt so much by digging into the "archives" you might say. Get to know the guys and gals too. Regarding hatches, mine had a similar setup to Will's, but I opted to fix the leading edge to the body with a rod as a hinge, and set a winder into the trailing edge to open it. My hatch opening is relatively small, and a sliding screen is difficult, so I'm making a fixed screen high in the body opening to get a little more headroom. If you are flexible with your resto you can craft anything you want if you can't find what you want. Cheers, Heath |
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Post by cobber on Sept 12, 2009 8:16:03 GMT 10
G'day Ron, I'd hate to think this Arrow is going to present you with too much drama.... like Heath has suggested many subjects have been discussed on the forum over the years and if you make use of the "Search" facility you can find some of it..... I'm not saying it is the greatest search engine in the world... and it does take a bit of practice to get the best out of it. I just did a search for "Roof Hatch" in the "Technical" forum and among other stuff it returned this one which may give you a few ideas, have a look at the links Gristy posted in reply #4. I can't say I've seen anything like that slide arrangement you've got.... but I'll keep searching. Cobber. |
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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 12, 2009 8:18:41 GMT 10
Thanks Dennis, Will and Heath. You have all given me something to work on. I see on Will's pics that the mechanism runs cross ways and not length ways. What worried me, is "strength", so it doesn't wobble when the wind blows. I have been thinking of making hinges similar to the ones that hold the bonnet open on the large Jaguar. They are strong and would hold up well. Many thanks for your help. This is the ONLY part of the van that is missing. The rest is all there and will be a lot easier to rebuild, etc. My "woodworking" Brother is coming down tomorrow to have a look at the Arrow. He is a wizz on woodwork, but I'm like some others in this forum who prefer metal. You can always weld a bit back on ;D Trevor know where to go round Brissy to buy the best in glue, finishes, etc. He may know if Nova and some other cabinet supplies have something that would make a good hatch lift. Yesterday we went to the WWW.AUTHENTICLIGHTINGANDHARDWARE.COMthat Cobber mentioned. I have never seen a place so full! You can barely move around in it and have to duck all the time or you'll hit the hundreds of hanging lights! Cheers, Ron |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2009 11:40:53 GMT 10
Hi Ron The best advice anyone can give in regards to roof hatches is.. Hinge it at the front so the hatch opens at the back. That way if ya get a bit forgetfull / careless and forget to lock the hatch down properly before driving off it cant flick up/ open and tear off due to the wind blowing over the van at speed. There is arguements for having a hatch that can be lifted evenly all around so you catch the breeze no matter which way the wind is coming from when you are set up on site. But i still reckon the main purpose of a hatch is to let the rising heat out.. not the prevailing wind in. I had to rebuild the hatch top on "Rosie" the old 5 ply had distorted. I cut a new one the same size out of ply and then fixed flat sheet aluminium over the top of that......( oh alright it was an aluminium roadside sign i cut up  ) with liquid nails and a screw in each corner for good measure. weighs heaps but drops shut nicely and is very watertight. The mechanism that holds it open ( just one in the middle of the back edge ) is the same spring loaded "bent elbow" effort as Will has shown in his photos. If you are still concerned about the thing blowing open just fit a barrel bolt either side near the rear of the hatch and drill a hole either side in the hatch frame . It'll never give ya trouble again. Once you get all that sorted it will pay you to look at fitting a hinge down fly screen of some sort to the ceiling opening. Big open hatches are a big open invitation to unwanted insects . Cheers mate Reddo |
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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 12, 2009 12:35:58 GMT 10
G'day Ron, I'd hate to think this Arrow is going to present you with too much drama.... like Heath has suggested many subjects have been discussed on the forum over the years and if you make use of the "Search" facility you can find some of it..... I'm not saying it is the greatest search engine in the world... and it does take a bit of practice to get the best out of it. I just did a search for "Roof Hatch" in the "Technical" forum and among other stuff it returned this one which may give you a few ideas, have a look at the links Gristy posted in reply #4. I can't say I've seen anything like that slide arrangement you've got.... but I'll keep searching. Cobber. Thanks mate, I did a general search and came up with nothing! Did a "Google" without much joy as well. The "Drop leaf Support, Hatch support" from Caravans Pluss looks the go ;D I had a look through their gear but did not see that one.  I have a winner!! Many thanks Cobber and Gristy! Cheers, Ron |
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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 12, 2009 12:44:41 GMT 10
G'day Reddo,
Thanks for that advice.
Yesterday I bought a thin sheet of aluminium to cover the top and sides with.
I intended using solid wood layers on the sides and ends, ribs across the top, thin craft wood on top of than, paint it all and then line it with the aluminium.
That way it will be light to lift and reasonably strong.
I had also thought of running fly screen around the inside top of the hatch, connected to the caravan in a similar manner as a pop top roof. Don'f know if it will work, but it would be similar to the concept of the "Four Seaons Hatch".
Cheers,
Ron
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Post by humpty2 on Sept 12, 2009 19:33:29 GMT 10
A lot of Sunliners have the flyscreen attached to the lip of the hatch with a 1/2" batten, and use a hoop around the base of it to attach it to the van.
An aluminium fold over type clip holds the hoop on the van.
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Post by Surf Tragic on Sept 12, 2009 21:18:54 GMT 10
Hi Ron The only thing I recognise is the metal slot plate that minicamper mentioned, I fitted a lot of those during my apprenticeship in the 60's, it is the keeper for a 'whitco' casement catch, a bit like this one , only the handle was in line with the tongue, the tongue grooved into the slotted keeper that is on your hatch surround.  The exact catch had a loop handle & was a very positive catch, something you really need on a hatch that size. I cant find one in my searches but will keep looking. Surf Tragic |
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Post by atouchofglass on Sept 13, 2009 8:06:05 GMT 10
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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 13, 2009 8:11:38 GMT 10
A lot of Sunliners have the flyscreen attached to the lip of the hatch with a 1/2" batten, and use a hoop around the base of it to attach it to the van. An aluminium fold over type clip holds the hoop on the van. That sounds like a great idea! many thanks ;D Cheers, Ron |
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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 13, 2009 8:13:14 GMT 10
Hi Ron The only thing I recognise is the metal slot plate that minicamper mentioned, I fitted a lot of those during my apprenticeship in the 60's, it is the keeper for a 'whitco' casement catch, a bit like this one , only the handle was in line with the tongue, the tongue grooved into the slotted keeper that is on your hatch surround. The exact catch had a loop handle & was a very positive catch, something you really need on a hatch that size. I cant find one in my searches but will keep looking. Surf Tragic Thanks mate, I'm sure I can find a couple of those. Cheers, Ron |
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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 13, 2009 8:23:50 GMT 10
Atog,
You have done a fantastic job with that Olympic!
I like the job you did on those hatch lifters.
Very nice indeed.
Yesterday I ordered four "Drop leaf Support, Hatch supports" from Caravans Plus, which I hope will do the job.
I have also been given some aluminuim channelling, to use instead of wood, so this hatch will now, be very light ;D
Cheers,
Ron
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Post by Surf Tragic on Sept 13, 2009 11:42:15 GMT 10
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Post by ronmcgr on Sept 14, 2009 9:07:12 GMT 10
Hi Ron,
Thanks for that.
I'll go back and get those and see if he has the lamp shades that fit the rear bed lamps.
My Brother says, "Keep it all original !"
He took a few doors and draws back with him today, to restore, sand on his "Lacey" and "Polish" as he calls it.
Looks like I'll be taking most of the Silver Ash up to his place to restore, as he thinks my tools are too primative! (I don't mind if he is that keen to see it done well ;D)
Cheers,
Ron
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) with liquid nails and a screw in each corner for good measure. weighs heaps but drops shut nicely and is very watertight.
