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  #1  
Old 08-07-2012, 11:32 AM
airmel's Avatar
airmel airmel is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SC
Posts: 156
Default Which ¼ turn fasteners to use on the cowl?

I've read a lot of the threads about the Skybolt and the Milspec quarter turn fasteners for the cowling, but I'm still not sure which to use. It seems that Skybolt has prefabricated tabs now which would cut down on the amount of work , but I want the best looking (flush mount, no corrosion down the road, last forever, etc.). I am planning on using these just along the top cowl at the firewall with hinges everywhere else (except the very bottom!). I'd like to hear from those who have used these (Skybolt and/or Milspec) and some honest opinions! Which are the flushest? Which look the best? Which are the easiest to install/adjust? Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 08-07-2012, 01:46 PM
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agirard7a agirard7a is offline
 
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Location: Newport, RI
Posts: 705
Default Skybolts

Skybolts work great. Easy to install and adjust. Drill the
15/32" hole not 1/2". Use a unibit to drill most of the hole
and finish off with a 15/32" bit. Unless you can find a 15/32" unibit.
Supplied mounting brackets work well. You may not
Need a shim between the braket and fire wall flange depending on the
thickness of the fiberglass cowling.
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  #3  
Old 08-07-2012, 03:21 PM
gstone gstone is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 196
Default Milspec...

Great product and Excellent customer service!!
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  #4  
Old 08-07-2012, 04:51 PM
Rupester Rupester is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mahomet, Illinois
Posts: 2,195
Default

I feel the same way about the Milspec fasteners and their kits, which come with all the fasteners you need and the tools to install/adjust them. Great product, great service. I go with them again in a heartbeat.
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  #5  
Old 08-08-2012, 12:39 AM
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kbehrent kbehrent is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Puget Sound Area, WA
Posts: 220
Default

Highly recommend Milspec! Good quality product. Easy to install and adjust.
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  #6  
Old 08-08-2012, 06:52 AM
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dmaib dmaib is online now
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New Smyrna Beach, FL
Posts: 1,339
Default

I am a very happy Milspec customer. Easy to install and adjust for a nice flush fit. But, I have no experience with Skybolt, so cannot give a meaningful comparison. I imagine most of the responses will be similar. Hopefully someone with experience with both products will speak up.
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  #7  
Old 08-08-2012, 07:02 AM
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Jaypratt Jaypratt is offline
 
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Location: Hicks Airfield, Fort Worth,Texas
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Default 1/4

NONE!! use the hinges ,,, Looks better
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  #8  
Old 08-08-2012, 09:35 AM
RV8MW RV8MW is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CLINTON,NC
Posts: 109
Default

I have the skybolts but have not installed them yet and I'm with Jay I think the hinge method looks better so I am thinking about not even using them.
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  #9  
Old 08-08-2012, 09:57 AM
rwhittier rwhittier is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Glendale, AZ
Posts: 256
Default Skybolts worked well for me

Can't comment on Mil Spec other than I think the fasteners themselves are equal. Check what other parts of the system are available though. With SB's they have the interlocking tabs and an alignment jig (guide) to drill the holes that are extremely useful (even very small hole errors can cause the heads to do weird things). Both add up to make the job much easier. I don't know if MS has those. If they do I guess you can use price to guide you. Good luck.

Quote:
Originally Posted by agirard7a View Post
Skybolts work great. Easy to install and adjust. Drill the
15/32" hole not 1/2". Use a unibit to drill most of the hole
and finish off with a 15/32" bit. Unless you can find a 15/32" unibit.
Supplied mounting brackets work well. You may not
Need a shim between the braket and fire wall flange depending on the
thickness of the fiberglass cowling.
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RV7A Quick Build, Tip Up
N1MY Reserved - Canopy finished - Wings mated, Engine hung, electrical 95%
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  #10  
Old 08-08-2012, 10:09 AM
rv9aviator rv9aviator is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 1,505
Default

I have milspec but never installed them. Kind of wishing I had now. The horizontal long hinge pins are still a royal pain to install even after a year of flying. They are so tight I have to use vice grips clamped every two inches at a time to push them in.
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