April 22, 2016

Just two pictures today.  I’ve been working on windows. I take them apart, clean the parts, polish the exterior surfaces, and assemble with new stainless steel screws, new neoprene weatherstripping, and new bronze screen.

There is a problem with the window latch retainers (that’s what I call them.  I have no idea what the manufacturer called them.  They were made of aluminum.  Given the date they were made, probably some grade with very little alloy.  They are quite fragile.  DSCF0954

The two on the left are the originals.  As you can see, the far left one broke at the screw hole.  Somebody put a big dollop of epoxy on it, which does nothing.  The second one had a standard fatigue failure at the bend. That’s common.  So I needed two replacements, but I made five.  I used the aluminum available at my local hardware store, which is almost certainly 6061-T6.  That’s an excellent all-purpose aluminum and should hold up a lot better than the originals did. Mine are not as nicely made as the originals, but I’m not ashamed. The tools I had were a drill, tin snips, file, multi-tool, and high speed rotary tool.

I put on all the left side windows.DSCF0957

I ran out of weatherstripping at the last window.  So I have another half hour or so to complete the last one. I also disassembled the external storage access door, which goes in the right rear.  I replaced all the wood and I’m halfway through painting it.  I polished all the aluminum pieces, and it two days (including time for paint to dry) I should be able to install that. Otherwise it’s side panels- I still have four more to complete on the right side.

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