Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Dear Folks

I am about to start on the Galley Hatch..... Ira this is it.....

1st off.. How thick should it be? Same thickness as rest of ceiling? As you have seen the profile on mine..Im going to make it all the way down.... Not a small half galley.....

I think I,ll like the full length better....

Being that its 5 wide... How many sections going vertically do you recommend for it to be sturdy enough? Meanin the Ribs? were they called..(Lost track of my English). Thats what happens when you try to think in 4 languages at the same time....

Ohhh Boyyyy here we gooooooo - didnt someone say .. Think twice cut once...


Classic Finn

Heikki, we used 4 (onna 4'er) vertical ribs on ours, 5 should do for you...our ribs are 2.5"s at the hinge side tapering out to 3' at the bottom and were cut from 3/4 Oak ply(13ply)...we had no problem with springback but we did use bendy ply to skin with......I would also look at Gage's and Asianflava's or Gern Blanston's hatches...they are much more similar to your profile that ours is...
madjack

Heikki,

Take a look at the 'Generic Benroy Plans' and see how Mike built his. I built mine the same thickness as the rest of the roof. I also used 3/4" plywood ribs for mine. 1/8" luan outer with AL over it and 1/8" birch plywood for the inside. I had no springback (or at least so little that it is barely noticeable. Also, I doubled the outside verticle ribs and use horizontal ribs in between. Check my 'www' for my build photos.

Heikki,
Think thrice (3) Measure twice, cut once. (and it's still too short. )

You'll get it.
Miriam

Heikki, I used 7 ribs but I was using 1/2" baltic birch I had left. They are 2" thick.

Damn that looks nice.

bledsoe3 wrote:Heikki, I used 7 ribs but I was using 1/2" baltic birch I had left. They are 2" thick.

Bledsoe
As Ira said , darn that looks nice.... I have also a lot of the Finn Birch so
I can do as you have done...

I also notice some build with the vertical ribs... Is there any plus or minus as to which direction they are installed or built?

I just now pulled the Hinge out from its well packed tube from RW JOHNSON.. Man its heavy duty it seems but ok I have nothing to compare
it to but it looks sturdy enough...

Headin over to the shop in a lil bit once the better half gets home...

Classic Finn

Ahh how was it again? Think Twice, Think Thrice and TRY to Cut Once

Miriam C. wrote:Heikki,
Think thrice (3) Measure twice, cut once. (and it's still too short. )

You'll get it.
Miriam

I,ll try to remember...


Classic Finn

Judging by mine, I would think that the vertical ribs have to be a lot stronger, less flex when opening and closing.

I did it the other way, and I also didn't skin the underside of the hatch. I may in the future--don't know.

But looking at those done vertically, they look structurally much more rigid.

I think HARDER to do, but better.

Heikki, you have much less problem with springback using vertical ribs as opposed to horizontal ...........

I make my hatch out of 1 x 1 steel tubing and is lighter than my first tear with wood hatch. you can see my hatch in the hall of fame pic.

I can understand the vertical ribs adding more strength. Does anyone have any pictures showing the actual nomenclature of the ribs. I'm assuming that the ribs are made of smaller pieces of wood and then glued and screwed?

I would imagine the same thing is done with the side walls in trying to pick up the profile desired. I guess it would be kind of a laminating effect?

Heikki, I second what Ira says. Damn, that looks nice.

Sorry for asking so many questions. I have a folder here with notes, galley references, profile drawings. I'm hoping to start a build next spring. I've still got to rewire and put in a new tranny in the Tow vehicle over the winter......

The older I get, the faster the days, weeks, months and years go by. Seems like so much to do and not enough time.....

sjptak wrote:Heikki, I second what Ira says. Damn, that looks nice.

I'm sure he appreciates the compliment--but that ain't his TD!

sjtpak , the ribs I did were vertical & they are strong. I made the pattern for the ribs from the sides profile. Then I glued 2 pieces of 5/8 plywood together , then layout the lines from my pattern. I cut all my ribs from that plywood. Each rib is 2 inches thick & 1 1/4 inch wide. I used 3 ribs in mine & my hatch is 4 ft wide by about 64 inches locg. It weighs about 45 pounds . I clamped & sanded all the ribs as one so that the profile is the same on all the ribs. Its just how I did it, some have done it other ways. Thats what you get to decide, fun huh??? Good luck!

Boodro.....


Damn, that looks nice.

Heikki, let this be a guide for you and I hope your hatch turns out as well!



Ok, if I can't laugh about me and my mistakes, then I guess I can't laugh about anyone elses. Darn, I thought I had a good year going. First mistake this year.................

Believe that, and I'll tell another one!