Quarter Turn Fasteners

pmccoy · #1 11-30-2009, 11:25 AM

Hi All-

I bought a complete set of Mil Spec Quarter Turn Fasteners in a VAF group buy awhile back. Since then I have moved my project to the airport, so I get lots of guys coming over to talk planes. Lately I have been finishing up some work on the panel brackets and I tell them my next step in the build is to start working on the cowl with the Quarter Turn Fasteners. At this point, the eyes start rolling. The old guys keep asking why I would not just go with the standard VANS piano hinges?

So here I am, wanting to start the installation and I find myself questioning the decision to use Quarter Turn Fasteners.

I am looking for Pros & Cons of each. For those of you who have installed the Quarter Turn Fasteners, are you happy? Have there been any problems? Would you install them again on your next project? Did you go firewall only, or the complete cowl?

Anyway, I am still leaning towards using the Mil Spec fasteners, just wondering if others agree with this decision. Thanks.

N941WR · #2 11-30-2009, 11:39 AM

I'm using them and find they are easier to to work with than the piano hinges.

In addition, the piano hinges are not to break on the bottom and these don't have that problem.

About the only cons I can think of are the fasteners takes slightly longer to get the cowl off. Putting it on I would think the hinges take longer because you have to line everything up. The other big con for some people is strictly esthetics, you see the fasteners where you don?t see the hinges. For me, it is a machine, so I would like to look like a machine.

noelf · #3 11-30-2009, 11:56 AM

...just the way Van called out. I am in my Phase I testing, so I have no long term opinions as yet. My only "gripe" with them is that I have to let the engine cool down before I stick my hand into the oil filler door opening to remove the hinge pins.

It's HOT in there after a flight. I have been doing my due diligence after each flight, taking the cowling off and looking for anything out of the ordinary. I would like to at least get the top cowling off to let things cool down quicker, but I just can not do that with the hinge solution. Once cool, I believe I can remove the top cowling quicker than a RV-7 friend who has the 1/4 turn fastener solution.

Otherwise, the hinge pin solution works well for me. One of the nice things about the hinge solution is that I do get a lot of comments on how smooth / streamlined / sleek the aircraft looks.

dedgemon · #4 11-30-2009, 12:07 PM

The "old guys" will drive you crazy. Build it the way you think you want it.

As far as objective results? My RV-9A had classic Vans piano hinges, and yes, they've "worked" for the last 5 years.

I'm just now finishing my RV8 and it has a complete set of Mil-Specs. No hinges anywhere. An excellent use of $500 I think. They look good, they work well. I'm sold.

pmccoy · #5 11-30-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

The "old guys" will drive you crazy. Build it the way you think you want it.

You are so right! I get all sorts of advice now that my plane is sitting in an EAA chapter hangar. Everyone stops by and gives me there .02?

Mostly I like all the suggestions, but when I have a differing opinion I start doubting my reasons... must say something about me

pierre smith · #6 11-30-2009, 12:45 PM

.....is to use the fasteners around the top rear cowl, spaced at 4" intervals and three per side under the bottom cowl, with piano hinges on the sides and vertical ones for the bottom cowl. The piano hinge pin is .090" and the eyes are .125", a .035" gap and allows the cowl to move/vibrate slightly and eventually you'll see 'smoke' behind the top cowl with the hinge setup.

Best,

Rick S. · #7 11-30-2009, 01:29 PM

I used them on the top half of the cowl. I really like them, the Milspec ones I used are top quality. The cons? Well making the scalloped parts for holding the recpticles was a bit more work than the hinges but I would use them again for sure. The best defense against the EAARP

crowd is to ask to look at their plane so you can see what they are talking about

Seems every comment starts out "Well on my RV-6A"

Bob Kuykendall · #8 11-30-2009, 03:21 PM

Remember, if you get the metric versions you have to call them (pi/2)radian turn fasteners.

Vlad · #9 11-30-2009, 03:57 PM

I think it's appropriate place to ask if somebody wants to sell/rent installation tools. Particularly I am interested in Camlock pliers and tapered shank tool for retainers. Just asking before ordering from the manufacturer. Thanks for looking,

JonJay · #10 11-30-2009, 04:09 PM

You probably wont find anyone who does not like the fasteners that they chose to put on, but walk the line at any air show and you will find 10 to 1 hinges over fasteners. They have been the standard for Van's on all models I am sure for good reasons, not just cost.
I have 1/4 turns on my Bucker and hate them, but that is not a fair comparison to an RV. I dont think they where done correctly.
As others have said, build what you want and I dont think you can go wrong either way, but much like tip ups vs sliders, you wont find someone who built one or the other tell you they hate it.

I love the comment about the "old guys", just ask them to show you their RV and they shut up quickly. Anybody that builds one and owns one will support you all the way with whatever your decision because they know what it takes to get the job done, anyway you choose to do it.
Have fun!