DIY - Repair broken window latches

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ricksigler
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DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by ricksigler »

Here's an easy fix that almost anyone can do. It took me about an hour and I used mostly a hacksaw and file. I used a mill to cut the bevels and trim the plastic, but a drill press with mill bit and high speed would work just as good. I used 1/8" aluminum for the tabs and trimmed the part that slides into the slot down to .085". I found that if I used just super glue the joint broke with a lot of pressure. So, I drilled a small hole through the aluminum tab and the plastic and pressed an aluminum pin into the assembly. I used the nail portion of an aluminum rivet for the pin. I also roughed up the plastic and aluminum before joining the two pieces with super glue (wear gloves when working with super glue). The latches are now bullet proof. You can see the hole and pin in one of the attached photos.

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Kai
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Re: DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by Kai »

Rick,

that is really nicely explained. Thank you very much also for the photos!
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Re: DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by Colin »

There was someone getting a bunch of these made. Does anyone know what happened to that effort?
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Re: DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by Antoine »

Nice! thanks a lot
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Kai
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Re: DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by Kai »

Colin wrote:There was someone getting a bunch of these made. Does anyone know what happened to that effort?
Nope. I am making one in 100% aluminium. If it turns out o.k., I will post the pictures.
knob02.jpg
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knob01.jpg
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Re: DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by Colin »

Kai,

Let us know how it turns out and if a large order would bring some economy of scale to the price.
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Re: DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by jon1746 »

I was looking into getting an all alluminum latch milled. We made a couple of successful prototypes but discontinued the effort. We were concerned that if accidentally hit the window the slot on the canopy would break instead of the latch resulting in a much more expensive repair.

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Colin
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Re: DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by Colin »

I still think it would be a great idea.
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Re: DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by Kai »

Colin,

I am in Spain now and my CNC machine is in Thailand so I am trying locally to find someone to mill it. I have asked Bret from this forum to have a look at it. If the aluminum positive latch works well, it should be easy to mill half negative molds and have a small series of latches injection molded.

Btw, what are the original knobs made off? Polycarbonate?
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Re: DIY - Repair broken window latches

Post by Star57 »

Kai wrote:Colin,

I am in Spain now and my CNC machine is in Thailand so I am trying locally to find someone to mill it. I have asked Bret from this forum to have a look at it. If the aluminum positive latch works well, it should be easy to mill half negative molds and have a small series of latches injection molded.

Btw, what are the original knobs made off? Polycarbonate?
Guys, one of my buddies owns a plastics co. He does a lot of work for the US AirForce, that could make him a qualified source :mrgreen:

Do I just remove mine and ask him to make more ?...
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