I've got a bad delema here

[madjack]

...seems like your getting there...remember to build your frame to fit the hole...put the frame in the hole and then skin in place...the "in place" part of this is the important part...

...when I built the second AlligatorTear, one wall had warped slightly along the curve of the wall, when I put the hatch frame in place, it touched the warp in the wall, I wedged it out at that point and then skinned it...it works great, doesn't touch and can't be seen...........
madjack

[Miriam C.]

Also remember to hang the edges at least an inch over both sides. These things tend to hang and change a small amount and you want your final trim to fit any changes.

[timlsalem]

Aunti M, do you mean the edges of the skin hang over a little?

Madjack, thanks for the heads up. I just put it up like that hoping it was what everyone was saying to do. I all ready have a couple pieces of the frame cut and will finish cutting the rest in the morning. I do have a question. Should I put the hinge on the frame or the top of the TT and then skin, or the other way around mounting the hinge after it's skinned. I also like the plan of having the lower part of the hatch open downwards with the a hinge on it also. I'm thinking I probably should frame and skin it first so the top can be built to overlap it for waterproofing. Does that sound right to everybody.

[Miriam C.]

Aunti M, do you mean the edges of the skin hang over a little?

Madjack, thanks for the heads up. I just put it up like that hoping it was what everyone was saying to do. I all ready have a couple pieces of the frame cut and will finish cutting the rest in the morning. I do have a question. Should I put the hinge on the frame or the top of the TT and then skin, or the other way around mounting the hinge after it's skinned. I also like the plan of having the lower part of the hatch open downwards with the a hinge on it also. I'm thinking I probably should frame and skin it first so the top can be built to overlap it for waterproofing. Does that sound right to everybody.

You betcha! I didn't and there is still a slight mis-fit. Get it all built including the seals then trim the side edges.

Your left side sticks out on the bottom and the right side on the top. You will want that edge covered.

[timlsalem]

thanks aunti M will right that in my TT notebook so I don't forget.

[timlsalem]

If anyone is wondering what my TT is built out of I've framed as usual for walls, roof, front then put 1/4" birch ply on the outside and water sealed it and then used 5/16 "X 3 9/16" tongue and groove over that. They come in 8' lengths. I planned to do the whole thing this way including the galley hatches. Got two coats of exterior primer and one coat so far of high gloss. Want to catch up with painting the hatch before putting two more color coats on the whole thing. The roof is sealed with four coats of Elasticseal. Same stuff that is used on mobile homes. On the inside I just put the tongue and groove over top the frame after putting in 3/4" foil faced sheet insulation. It was pretty simple and easy and made it real rigid.
Just got my fishing/hunting licence today so got to get this thing done.

[madjack]

...mount the hinge last to avoid clearance problems...offset the screws for the same reason...to all the rest...YES.........
madjack