Pothole harware?

  • June 10, 2018 8:52 AM
    Message # 6301842
    Deleted user

    Kira ora,

    So we are working on the portoles or port windows and can' find metric bronze hardware i.e. fasteners that fit our current setup. 

    Anyone have a good souce where I can obtain "quality" bronze fasteers? 

    If not, then how are you portoles mounted? Bolts and nuts are sadly obtuse and our last choice. We are trying to keep the original sexbolts but looks like no one makes them anymore. 

    In the photo, perhaps you can see our fasteners. They appear to look like rivits vs nuts and bolts appoach. 


    Thanks 

    Michael Abrain. 

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  • June 10, 2018 12:33 PM
    Reply # 6302338 on 6301842

    Michael,

    Your photo is too dark to see the heads of the fasteners.  I have always thought the portholes were installed with bronze round head bolts, and either regular bronze nuts, or brass capnuts on the interior.  Email me a better picture, and I may be able to figure out what you have.


  • June 11, 2018 4:44 AM
    Reply # 6303440 on 6301842
    One thing to know; When I removed my portholes for re-bedding even though I kept them separated port & stbd I found my self with a 100 bolts, every one a different length.  It seems the overall thickness of the cabin top tends to become a bit thinner as you move forward. Laying the bolts down side by side looked like a xylophone.


    I tried to sort the lengths to fit as I replaced the portholes but I could never find the exact screw that came out of the exact hole such that the nut would fit perfectly flush with the end of the bolt like it came from the factory yard. I was always a thread (or more) too long or short. Complicating the matter is I installed white Formica in the interior side to brighten up the cabin also making the cabin top just that teeny bit thicker.

    Bud came to my rescue by providing some extra bolts for those that ended up too short no matter where I tried to fit them. He also recommended using brass capnuts instead of nuts. It's an awesome idea as I think it actually looks better... more 'shippy'... than just having plain ol nuts.


  • June 13, 2018 5:42 AM
    Reply # 6308266 on 6301842
    Deleted user

    Here is a better photo. 

    Ill speak to Bud at the PNW Rondy this weekend. Otherwise I'm considering having these made by a machine shop. 

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