Cowling Fasteners Updated

[Thatchman]

We recently changed the adjustable receptacles for our cowling fasteners to a much better design. The older style receptacle cage was made of thin aluminum with small tabs bent around the receptacle body to retain it. This cage allowed the standard 1/16? float fore and aft but, much more side to side. Over time in the field, the tabs were sometimes bent back open by pressure exerted on the fastener when engaging the mechanism. This can lead to the receptacle body becoming loose or a possible failure of the system.
We now use a fully enclosed cage to encapsulate the adjustable receptacle body (original Camloc? style). It allows an industry standard 1/16? float in any direction which is enough to provide relief for minor misalignment from stud to receptacle but, not so much that it allows excessive shifting of the panel. In addition this configuration positively and permanently retains the receptacle body and allows us to offer the receptacles in a variety of materials. (Zinc Plated Steel, Aluminum or Stainless). Also, we are using a metal anti-lock pin for the initial depth adjustment. This pin can be re-installed after the initial fitting so that if further adjustment is required later, a separate pick tool is not necessary.

Late last year we also updated the fasteners themselves to make them stronger and the heads tougher when engaging the screwdriver to prevent stripping / galling. If anyone who participated in our previous group buys wants to swap out the older style components with the updated versions just let me know.

Best Regards,
Jeremy Summers
MilSpec Products, Inc.
T. 352-735-0065
www.milspecproducts.com

[alpinelakespilot2000]

Originally Posted by Thatchman

If anyone who participated in our previous group buys wants to swap out the older style components with the updated versions just let me know.

Best Regards,
Jeremy Summers
MilSpec Products, Inc.
T. 352-735-0065
www.milspecproducts.com

For anyone who didn't have the fortune of the great deal Jeremy offered us last year, this is a great example of his service! I bought a firewall kit from him and was absolutely pleased with the service. Am planning to buy a few extras from him once I get started on the cowling.

[ptrotter]

I can tell you a little about dealing with MilSpec Products. I bought a kit in the first group buy about 2 years ago. At that time they supplied slightly longer studs and it was found that shorter studs fit better. Since I am finally getting around to fitting my cowl, I called Jeremy a couple of weeks ago and asked if I could swap the -3 studs for -2 studs. He said no problem, but send the whole kit back so he could upgrade everything to the latest version. I did so and had them back in about a week.

Total bill - $0, he wouldn't even let me pay for shipping them back to me.

This kind of service for something that was originally sold 2 years ago is well beyond the norm. I can't say enough good things about these guys.

[conlimon]

I participated in a group buy awhile back for the kit to do my cowl, and I finally got started with it and called Milspec just to ask a question or two. I got Jeremy on the phone, and he didn't hesitate to offer to exchange my older style fasteners to this new updated version. super nice guy, and first rate service. You can bet that they'll get more business from me.

cj

[PJSeipel]

I'll have to second the remarks about Jeremy's great customer service. I too participated in the group buy back in 2005. When I heard that the shorter studs fit better, I figured I was out of luck since I had taken everything out of its original packaging. Since I'm starting to work on the cowling, I emailed Jeremy anyway a couple of weeks ago and he was gracious enough to let me send back the whole kit and get the new upgraded version of all of the parts. No charge. Definitely a class act. He's got my business in the future for sure.

PJ Seipel
RV-10 #40032

[mike109g6]

Originally Posted by Thatchman

We recently changed the adjustable receptacles for our cowling fasteners to a much better design. The older style receptacle cage was made of thin aluminum with small tabs bent around the receptacle body to retain it. This cage allowed the standard 1/16? float fore and aft but, much more side to side. Over time in the field, the tabs were sometimes bent back open by pressure exerted on the fastener when engaging the mechanism. This can lead to the receptacle body becoming loose or a possible failure of the system.
We now use a fully enclosed cage to encapsulate the adjustable receptacle body (original Camloc? style). It allows an industry standard 1/16? float in any direction which is enough to provide relief for minor misalignment from stud to receptacle but, not so much that it allows excessive shifting of the panel. In addition this configuration positively and permanently retains the receptacle body and allows us to offer the receptacles in a variety of materials. (Zinc Plated Steel, Aluminum or Stainless). Also, we are using a metal anti-lock pin for the initial depth adjustment. This pin can be re-installed after the initial fitting so that if further adjustment is required later, a separate pick tool is not necessary.

Late last year we also updated the fasteners themselves to make them stronger and the heads tougher when engaging the screwdriver to prevent stripping / galling. If anyone who participated in our previous group buys wants to swap out the older style components with the updated versions just let me know.

Best Regards,
Jeremy Summers
MilSpec Products, Inc.
T. 352-735-0065
www.milspecproducts.com

Jeremy,
How about another group buy for us newbies to the group that were not around in '05?
Put me on the list for a 9A,
Mike H 9A/8A

[Thatchman]

First, Thank you guys for the kind words above. Usually when you offer a product you only hear about the bad. When the part works perfectly as advertised you don't hear anything and people carry on with the next item on their agenda. So, thank you for the support.

A few questions have come up since my original post. So here are the answers regarding the swapping out of components. Basically what I have in mind is that if you bought a kit or individual parts before (old style) and have not yet installed them just send them back with your invoice copy and I will swap out the necessary parts at no cost. Assuming of course that you want to swap aluminum receptacles for aluminum or zinc plated steel. New stainless receptacles would add a little cost to the deal depending on how many sets are involved. The only thing I ask is that you pick up the shipping (Paul caught me on a good day). If you have already installed the fasteners, send me a copy of your invoice and I will send you the new parts at regular cost less 30% if you pick up the shipping (last group buy discounted rate). If you have Skybolt??? parts and want to upgrade, I will supply all new MilSpec components at regular price less 10%. All tools, templates and mounting parameters remain the same. Our instructions have been updated a little but nothing major. You can download a copy from our website or I will include a copy with exchanges.

Why would I do this? Because I want to supply the best possible parts that truly live up to the MilSpec name. That, and I am trying to butter one of you up for a ride in your RV.

As for another group buy, I don?t know. Do we have enough interest?

Best,
Jeremy
MilSpec Products, Inc.
T. 352-735-0065
www.milspecproducts.com

[vmirv8bldr]

I'm interested...

[dprill]

I'm interested...............

Dan Prill
Sand Coulee, MT

[Bevan]

I'm interested.

Bevan
RV7A