Fiberglass vs Aluminum Oil Door ?

[Rick_A]

I'm just starting on fitting the Oil access door and noticed a post by Vern that showed his aluminum door. Since the kit includes the fiberglass door it never occurred to me to make it out of aluminum.

So what's the downside of the fiberglass door and what's the benefit of the extra effort to make it out of aluminum?

BTW. I plan to use the spring loaded hidden hinge from justrvparts.

Thanks.

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by Rick_A

So what's the downside of the fiberglass door and what's the benefit of the extra effort to make it out of aluminum?

Thanks.

Do you have any idea how tempted I am to answer "No Pinholes!"

But I shall maintain my decorum, and not say that.

[Steve]

Vern mentioned the glass door had a tendency to flex. I'm planning to make an aluminum door and already bought the latches from the surplus outfit in Kansas.

You using epoxy or microsuperfeatherfil on your oil door, Mike S?

@#$% baffling,
Steve

[bsacks05]

On my oil door I bonded in a couple stiffeners to the backside (two balsa wood strips covered in epoxy and micro) to prevent flexing. I also used a Hartwell latch instead of the protruding fasteners Vans supplies.

[shamer]

Rick,

I used the fiberglass door with the same hinge you're going to use and a single hartwell latch. The secret is stiffening the door. In my case I used quarter inch foam and covered it with carbon fiber. The foam is in a "U" shape to clear the latch. It's light, stiff, and doesn't distort in flight.
I really like the spring loaded invisible hinge. It looks great, works good and it wasn't difficult to do.
You'll like the end result.

Steve Hamer
RV-6 0-360 BA Hartzell
Apple Valley, Ca

[CNEJR]

I used a European Cabinet Hinge from Home Depot. Reenforced the fiberglass door with a little FG. It pushes inward, pull it halfway back up and it snaps in place. Not my idea, but it really works and looks nice.

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by Rick_A

I'm just starting on fitting the Oil access door and noticed a post by Vern that showed his aluminum door. Since the kit includes the fiberglass door it never occurred to me to make it out of aluminum.

So what's the downside of the fiberglass door and what's the benefit of the extra effort to make it out of aluminum?

BTW. I plan to use the spring loaded hidden hinge from justrvparts.

Thanks.

I installed a Hidden Hinge from Just RV parts this morning on my RV-6. Write-up is here:

http://thervjournal.com/hidden_hinge.htm

I also elected to go with a new aluminum door. The Hidden Hinge is a clever item.

[vlittle]

The aluminum door has a few advantages:

- no pinholes!
- doesn't get soft and flex when hot
- the elephant ear camlocs on the fiberglass door tend to cause the paint to peel due to flexing.

I think it's quite possible to use a hartwell or camloc latch on a fiberglass door, but I would still rivet (or glass) stiffeners to minimize the flex.

I used aluminum because I was replacing the old fiberglass door with the camloc latch, and I had the aluminum handy.

Oh yeah, I saved about an ounce.

[rvtach]

Originally Posted by CNEJR

I used a European Cabinet Hinge from Home Depot. Reenforced the fiberglass door with a little FG. It pushes inward, pull it halfway back up and it snaps in place. Not my idea, but it really works and looks nice.

Chuck-

How 'bout a photo or 2. Can't quite picture this but I like the sound of it.

[Rick_A]

Great write up Sam. I also like the way you framed the cowl on the inside.