Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Whew... Dunno how to explain it...

I want to use the Monroe plastic hinge. Searching through old posts, I see that those of you that used it on the galley hatch, used it lying flat. Can this hinge be used in a normally "folded up" position?

Bad drawing of what I'm talking about:



I have doors that I'd wish this to be the normal position of the hinge. And, I've got fold-out panels that I'd wish this to be the "end" position (not the normal position, but they'd need to stay in that position for days)
So is this doable with the plastic hinge? Or do I use metal piano hinge?

Jeff, we have used the Monroe plastic hinge in a couple of different applications...it can be used in both the horizontal(hatch) and vertical(doors) position...the only problem with using it the way you are showing is the screw heads bumping...because it has a tendency to "pucker" between screws, you need to use an aluminum(or other) strip over the top of the plastic to flatten that pucker out(sounds strange)...this is especially true in used in a structural situation such as exterior doors and hatchs...at the very least, you should use a trim washer with the screws when mounting.............
madjack

If you straighten your pucker out , it is no longer a pucker .... its now a p*cker ??????????

Right Ira ????

Boodro wrote:If you straighten your pucker out , it is no longer a pucker .... its now a p*cker ??????????

Right Ira ????

...nope, when flattened it becomes a "flucker"... a flat pucker .......................

madjack wrote:...because it has a tendency to "pucker" between screws, you need to use an aluminum(or other) strip over the top of the plastic to flatten that pucker out(sounds strange)...

You couldn't do that in the configuration he's asking about because the hinge wouldn't 'close' with 2 pieces of aluminum on top of the hinge vinyl - You'd be much better off living with the pucker

Don

Don, as I said in that very same post, he would have problems using it thataway...unfortunately, I don't believe you could ever get a proper seal if you left the pucker in place...unless you put a screw every <inch....
madjack

Yup... It's SS for me.

I 'twas worried about it, and y'all confirmed it. I'll just use SS and seal it.

Where can I buy one of these plastic hinges?
It sounds like a good alternative to individual hinges.

bravebear wrote:Where can I buy one of these plastic hinges?
It sounds like a good alternative to individual hinges.

McMasterCarr....look in their index for plastic hinge...sold by the foot(for 5 bucks) www.mcmaster.com (harsh enviorment plastic piano hinge...page 2920...available in black, white or grey)
MonroeEngineering...manufacturer of above hinge and sold in 50' rolls for about a dollar a foot... http://www.monroeengineering.com/hinges ... -hinge.htm
madjack

Thanks Madjack, I appreciate the info.

I was able to install a plastic hinge without it puckering between the screws. First I rabbited out where it was to go, I softened the hinge with a hair dryer (don't get caught with that) because it comes on a roll and needs to flatten out. Then I put down double stick tape and pressed the hinge into it. Then I drilled and counter sunk all the holes. I then installed the 3/4" drywall screws. It stayed very flat and my aluminum skin goes over the top of that.
If anyone wants a small piece of plastic hinge just PM me and i will sent you a couple of inches of the piece I screwed up.
Brwbier