Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Sorry my camera won't take a picture of this, it is cloudy out.

I made a beautiful hatch frame. It fits perfectly, couldn't be better.

Except I cut the 3/8ths out for the seal before I made the hatch pattern. (wasn't going to do a full hatch)

Now I can lift the hatch up and make it fit the top and sides with enough over to do a seal but the bottom curve is slightly inside the sides. (less than 1/8".)


Do I need the inside 2/3rds of the bottom curve to have a seal?

The alternatives seem to be: recut the top to fit the hatch frame (not much) and then recut the 3/8ths for the seal.

Or: Cut the bottom 12" radius back 3/8 and hope it doesn't show too bad.

Greatful for all advice and other suggestions that don't include makeing a new hatch. My 3.5amp jig saw isn't up to that again.

AuntieM, this seems to be a place that a little "springback" would be a good thing...with hatch fitted at the top will it fit properly at the bottom edge...1/8 along the lower side may be workable with a thinner profile seal...I think I would goforit and see if it can't be worked with...the best alternative would proably be to sand the lower radius on the side wall to attain what was needed...the same technique could be used if you built the hatch as is and couldn't get it to close/seal properly, then sand if needed
madjack

Thank you Mad Jack. It is certainly the easiest (poor sander). When I say 1/8 in. It is inside the lower wall. I am hoping for no spring back because it fits so very well. You just can't imagine how happy I was when I wrestled it up and got it clamped. Then I started to think about the skin and seal.

I know it is minor but just once I wanted to not rely on my poor sander. It deserves a place in history. I understand the sander and jiggy saw have made application for Sainthood.

Miriam--one day you'll see my hatch and you'll feel a lot better about yours.

I took the Picasso approach, although unintended.

Ira does that mean it is pure art? I would love to see you hatch. sometime during deep winter near your area. I would just love to see the whole teardrop seriously. If I could swing it I would go to Anastasia just for the purpose. OH ----and meet everybody too.

Wouldn't it be nice to start at LCG and fish my way over.
Thanks for the encouragement.

Hi Miriam, Don't worry about wearing out your sander, I'm on my second hatch with fingers crossed

Cheers
Paul

Hey Paul,
How you plan on using a drill with your fingers crossed? I know, juvenile joke.

Thanks all, I'll be good and make it look right (on camera). Soon as it gets warm enough and someone helps me get the hatch outtta the way without breaking it.

This morning I am going to glue and screw the hatch spar down and frame in the bulkhead wall so I have a clamp surface when the skin is on.

Miram,

Your tear is looking really good. If you ribbed your hatch using the profile shape, it should fit fine. That is what I did NOT do, so I got spring back and have been adjusting, and adjusting.

Since mine is "campable", I will live with it until I get a long enough stretch of time to rebuild the hatch.


Todah

Thank you Barbara. I thought yours was great. Especially the open counter and stool.

I got this camera to make a bad close up. This is the corner. If you look you can see the light wood-the hatch- and the blue tape-the body-. The hatch and body merge where the hatch should stick out to give room for the seal.



This is the overall hatch framing. Great fit.


I still need to decide where the best place to put my latteral framing. I am sure there is a structural spot. (thats a hint for advice please.

The hatch ribs are held on by screws into wood blocking that is screwed into the side of the ply rib and into the end frame. All will be glued when right.

Miriam,

Besides structural you may want to determine if you are going to attach anything to the inside or outside of your tear(paper towel rack, lights, etc.) and if you have to join any sheets of plywood. I have to admit that I have not looked at any of the plans immediately before posting but I do not remember seeing if there was any lateral support for the hatch except at the top and bottom....Sorry I know I am not much help on this, hopefully others with more expertise will give you advise.

Oh sure, uh huh, I had all that on my list (not).

Thank you Rick. I see I still need work lists for each part of each job. I do have to join sheets across and figured on doing that at the flattest spot so it won't try to pop up on a curve. But framing for it wasn't on the non- existant list. Which is what got me this boo boo in the first place.

Miriam--you said you can lift the hatch up and out enough at the top to allow for the seal. Can you fit (glue) a spacer (like a plywood strip) on the bottom hatch support where it meets the floor to get the proper spacing at the bottom?

By the way, that is nice work on the curves on those hatch ribs.

Oh I never make a boo boo that easy.
Moving it out only makes it out doesn't make it longer. Cutting the side a bit seems to be the easier way. The problem is it fits the side perfectly, but I cut for the seal and didn't add it back when I cut the hatch ribs.

Thanks for the kudos.

Tony are you a closet Aussi? What Tony said nagged me to the point I didn't cut and got out this morning to look again.

No a bottom board won't change the length problem.
A top one did.

Should I cut another top board or will glueing another to it work? This is the hinge mount.

Thanks all for helping me through another crisis.

None of us live in closets Some of our houses may be small but not that small, Miriam

Cheers
Paul