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Post by minicamper on Jan 17, 2008 9:38:55 GMT 10
Thought that'd get your attention!
I've seen many a person ask about sourcing Porthole windows in various posts and most include the words rocking horse s**t.
So i decided to investigate making them and i believe that it may be fairly simple to get either cast or turned aluminium ones made through some contacts that i have.
SO, it begs the question, IF I continue down this path, who if anyone, would be interested in getting their hands on one? I don't know costs yet and they will vary depending on whether they are cast or turned, fixed or opening, glazed or unglazed (for you to do your own) but I thought I'd try and get an idea of interest.
I may also need some assistance from other members here if an original is needed for photo's, measurements, or even as a parent for moulding (a harmless process).
So i throw the post open for comment.... ;D
Cheers
Chris
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2008 10:32:32 GMT 10
Hi Chris True... portholes are the "holy grail" of the vintage van world. To find an original van that was produced with a porthole or 2 is considered ( well in my mind) quaint, out of the ordinary... perhaps even desireable would be a good word to describe them  . However others may see the installation of a porthole in a van that was not originally available with them in it , as a modification or bordering on hot rodding an original van   . I suppose iy you dont tell it didnt have one when ya bought the van they wouldnt know the bloody difference unless they pick up on the modification in your resto photos.... again i say "Who cares" I have just installed a porthole in the door of "Mildred"  Before.    The windows in this van are like "gunsights" about 400mm X 300mm with no window in the back wall at all ,and only one on the left side , it is very dark inside.  After.. at least with an extra window/hole up towards the front i can see what i am cooking . The kitchen is across the front of the van. So the porthole was installed not so much for the looks but moreso to get extra light inside the van. I am even considering a perspex roof hatch to help improve light levels inside the van.  Sure.. I could have fitted another square window but portholes are a lot easier to fit than timber framed windows and fly screens. Your plan sounds good. I suppose it will all depend on production costs. If you can get them knocked up cheap enough then there will be a bit of a market here for them. If someone does this sort of fabrication work as a hobby then that would probably keep costs down. I would imagine Most companies would charge at least 2 hours labour to makeup something . Then add on thier material costs and profit margin. Could easily end up over $100 a window. .......still might find a few orders providing the nazis dont come down on those keen on prettying up there vans and adding thier own personal touches. JBJ came up with an idea a while back to have the portholes turned up out of timber and painted silver. He installed one in their old ply van "Groovin". it certainly looked the goods . Keep us informed on production costs and post a "prototype" here when ya get your hands on one.  Reddo |
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Post by minicamper on Jan 17, 2008 12:30:24 GMT 10
No problembo.
I figure anyone can do whatever they want...
Refer that HIDEOUS purple thing....
Being a vintage and classic car fan, i struggle with hotrodders in general, but...
I figure anyone that has a homemade van (bondwood of course!)
can do whatever they want without fear of criticism coz its homemade so who's to say what should or shouldn't be there.
I was thinking for light reasons too. Casting will have costs obviously, but i have a mate with a good machine shop so i reckon a couple of aluminium blanks and off we go....
i will keep you all informed. i need one and don't have any to hand like you obviously did. Finding my tap is proving hard enough..
Cheers
Chris
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Post by fbmad on Jan 17, 2008 19:41:37 GMT 10
Hi Chris, I'd be interested in one or maybe more portholes as long as I don't have to see the bank manager to buy one  ...... can never have enough portholes! On another note, have some more info on brake conversion to your van.Will give you a call on the telling bone to save time. Cheers, Terry. |
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 17, 2008 20:30:08 GMT 10
Just a thought for those on the coast
I was working for a shipwright and sometimes we had aluminium portholes that had been removed. Problem being the weight.
What about ships chandlers? some of the smaller yachts must have appropriate sized portholes.
atouchofglass
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Post by minicamper on Jan 18, 2008 6:32:54 GMT 10
Hi 'glass,
Thats what i thought, but EVERYTHING i've found that has a whiff of boat about it is either heavy enough to rip the wall off, mega chunky like it belonged on the Titanic or priced like it came from King Tut's tomb.
Considering what they are I can't see why they would be too pricey.
Investigations to follow....
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2008 7:10:14 GMT 10
Hi Chris. Your dead right about the ship/boat portholes. An average 10" brass porthole weighs about 10kg. I have unearthed about a dozen of them through wanted adds at work and checking around garage sales. Cheapest i have found are around $100 ea. As you say they would tear the side out of your van with centrifugal force as you went around a bend or roundabout. I also searched the net and found a company importing portholes from the good old U.S of A. Too heavy and too pricey. Aluminium is the go.. even better if you can get 'em made "Hinge open" Have seen them with etched glass. Back in late 2004 when i first got into Vint vans A lady from Blacktown had an old van with 2 beaut leadlight portholes in it for grabs on ebay. Her start price was $50. Joel and i called in to check it out on our way home from a swapmeet down that way. I offered her $80 there and then just for the 2 portholes and she could still keep the van and sell it She said no. The van ended up selling for $80. I didnt bid because i didnt want another trip to sydney, especially towing a carfloat to bring the thing home. The body was rough. I rang her to find out where the van had gone so i could harrass the new owners. She said....The new owners took it across the road to a spare block of land. smashed the body off the van  :oand drove off the with chassis and rolling stock. Both portholes where destroyed in the sledgehammering exercise. And they call ME a van murderer. Reddo |
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Post by swiftden on Jan 18, 2008 8:31:08 GMT 10
I never realised they were that special until i got my little van and it has two hinged porthole windows. Would have been great to see them back in the van and it all put back together but im now getting rid of it |
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Post by minicamper on Jan 18, 2008 14:35:09 GMT 10
Could anyone who is lucky enough to have a fixed or even better an opening porthole window help out with some close up detail photo's particularly hinged as well as measurements...
Cheers
Chris
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 19, 2008 7:08:29 GMT 10
Thought this might be of interest www.muirmarine.com.au/Look under bronze portholes What they call fixed portholes... IE one that doesn't open. Also dummy scuttle rings. These you add whatever glass you want . Hey you may even get a rose coloured glass or two, makes the world look even better  Unfortunately they didn't have a price on it. The bronze ring would need to be chromed to match in with your requirements I suppose but it would be less expensive than getting them specially made I am guessing. There is a phone number on the website for those that are interested. Atouchofglass rose coloured that is Look Mummy.... the world is all ...... beautiful ....... |
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Post by atouchofglass on Jan 19, 2008 7:42:32 GMT 10
On further inspection I humbly offer that you all were right in regard to price. far too expensive. I did findone other sight that had a 12" porthole mirror for $80 but it would be a gamble whether it would be of use or not. I'll just shut up now  atog |
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jun 25, 2021 12:03:17 GMT 10
Have been doing a spot of research on portholes (whilst trying to decide if I am prepared to part with one) & came across these acrylic ones. Much, much cheaper than reproduction aluminium ones & may be of interest to some. www.iqdigitalo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=823577Also thought it might be fun to resurrect this thread & post some pics of portholes past & present. |
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jun 25, 2021 12:15:11 GMT 10
Lyrebird porthole in Phoenix Caravan  Kangaroo in Bondwood Franklin, added by us.   Propert sporting 4 portholes!  Magpie;  Kookaburra  |
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 25, 2021 20:48:22 GMT 10
G'day sgtl, That iqdigitalo link you've given above is being blocked by my Norton Antivirus as a "known dangerous webpage". What is the actual name of the window so I can maybe locate it without risking a visit to the link you've given?
cheers, Al.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jun 25, 2021 21:26:13 GMT 10
220mm Polycarbonate Double Porthole Window 23/25mm thickness CAMPERVAN camper, 14.99 Pounds Sale platform is IQDigitalo.
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Post by Franklin1 on Jun 25, 2021 21:43:57 GMT 10
Thanks for that - it shows up on a number of other websites as well. Prices can vary by quite a few Pounds!
220mm Polycarbonate Double Porthole Window 23/25mm thickness CAMPERVAN camper
£14.94 - 22.99
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Post by Gidget on Jun 26, 2021 11:20:41 GMT 10
I'd love a really big one (porthole that is) - fixed & non-glazed to keep the cost down - to be installed between the door and rear side window of my Wayfarer. There used to be bunks on that side but they'll be replaced with a galley kitchen. It'd be nice to have a window to look out of while food prepping.
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Post by shesgotthelook on Mar 17, 2022 11:04:45 GMT 10
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.
The windows in this van are like "gunsights" about 400mm X 300mm with no window in the back wall at all 
