hatch Latch question & Progress pictures

[streetrod23]

Does anybody have pictures of their hatch latch. I am using a center handle with rods to latch the hatch. I cant get my head around how it works after the handle mounts to the hatch etc etc..Thanks

[Classic Finn]

Does anybody have pictures of their hatch latch. I am using a center handle with rods to latch the hatch. I cant get my head around how it works after the handle mounts to the hatch etc etc..Thanks

Hello Canada I do have one type of center hatch set up. I,ll look for some pics for you. Do you have some progress pics for us?

[streetrod23]

Once again you come to my rescue..Thanks. I will post some progress pictures as well

[streetrod23]

PROGRESS PICTURES
http://picasaweb.google.com/4mswpg/Tear ... directlink

[toypusher]

Check the 'Generic Benroy Plans' at the top of the page!

[pete42]

If I understand your question go look at your garage door handle and latch rods.

[GeoDrop]

Does anybody have pictures of their hatch latch. I am using a center handle with rods to latch the hatch. I cant get my head around how it works after the handle mounts to the hatch etc etc..Thanks

I chose to mount mine inside the hatch so only the handle will be visible on the outside. Since this picture was taken, I've added a cross brace between the ribs to support the t-handle.



(Click on image to take you to my photo gallery where you can blow it up to full size and see more detail.)

UPDATED PIC:

[streetrod23]

Thanks Matthew, thats exactly what Iwas looking for. Not a tough job but the picture is what I really needed. I also wanted it inside the hatch...Has that worked well for you? Did you just drill some holes in the sides for the rods to engage into?
Thanks Again!

[GeoDrop]

Thanks Matthew, thats exactly what Iwas looking for. Not a tough job but the picture is what I really needed. I also wanted it inside the hatch...Has that worked well for you? Did you just drill some holes in the sides for the rods to engage into?
Thanks Again!

Sure.. pictures really help you visualize things. In these pictures, I just have holes drilled but this morning I picked up two 3/8" bronze bushings that I'm going to press into place on the two outside ribs for the rods to fit through. I'll snap a pic when I get them in.

FWIW, I mounted the mechansim to that plywood before installing it. I did a little countersink in the bolt holes for the bolt heads to sit into. This allows the bolt heads that hold the mechansim in place to be invisible as well, as they are effectively sandwiched in between the interior hatch skin and the reinforcing plywood.

[GeoDrop]

Streetrod,

I just realized something when reading another post about this hatch latch mechanism. It's obvious now, so I feel silly I didn't see it before. This latch is a "3-point" latch. The rods make up 2 of the latch points. Those big dog ear things on the latch mechanism are meant to be the 3rd point! Duh! You would position the mechanism so that when it is locked, one of those dog ear things would swing down into a slot on the floor.

Maybe you knew this already.. if not, now you do!

[streetrod23]

Excelent..Thanks for the help. Great idea on the mounting to the plywood ahead of time...Any thoughts on what the rods will engage into, will you make an adjustable bracket or go into the body side? Really appreciate the advice and pics! Interesting about the 3rd point. I will have to have a closer look at mine. I dont think it has that buit I will look...

[GeoDrop]

Excelent..Thanks for the help. Great idea on the mounting to the plywood ahead of time...Any thoughts on what the rods will engage into, will you make an adjustable bracket or go into the body side? Really appreciate the advice and pics! Interesting about the 3rd point. I will have to have a closer look at mine. I dont think it has that buit I will look...

The kit comes with these little plastic blocks but don't think they have any value for our installations. In my installation, I'm planning on having the rods go into the sidewalls. I plan on embedding a plastic (delrin) block into the sidewall where they go in. This should provide a solid/smooth surface for the pins to go into. I'll taper the ends of the rods and try to position the holes in a way that when the rods go in, it will pull the hatch tight, especially since I can't use that center latch point.

I installed the bushings yesterday, you can see pics here.

[GeoDrop]

I ended up rebuilding my hatch and this gave me a chance to install it a little more correctly and utilize the "3rd latch point". The first time I installed the latch mechanism, I didn't understand what the big dog ears were for on it... and only after it was installed did I realize they were for the middle latch point.

Here are pics of the new installation showing a slot for the dog ears.





I also mounted the latch mechanism to the outside skin, using a piece of 1x4 as reinforcement. The first time I mounted it to the interior skin as that is what I installed first on the frame. The problem with that is the handle doesn't have a place to attach to and I had to add a piece. The new place simplifies things...