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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2012 17:15:27 GMT -8
Hey all, Due to the rear lid latch on my T-34 snapping and the lid clocking me in the chin, I went out to make a new one. First try was with a CNC cutter, which gave me what I needed but took too much time to finish it up. I have it mounted on my car for now, it works but is not the best looking. With that, I went in search of someone who could water cut one for me. I found a great shop that has completed the first cut, but we found a couple of 1/1000th cut flaws. Now onto the next one, which I will be mounting on my car to make certain it works properly. Once that is done, I will be doing a run of about 20 to start off, and they will be for sale....price to determined. At the suggestion of Lee Hedges, I am going to offer up putting them together, housing and all, since I have already done it twice and have figured out an easy way to replace the pin and reload the spring. Or I can offer you the instructions on how to do it yourself. Now, I am still a few weeks away from having everything ready to go, but if you are interested, let me know. I have attached a photo of the first prototype. The orange one (lower) is the original from my 66. Attachments:
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Post by Lee Hedges on Apr 12, 2012 21:35:41 GMT -8
That's a fantastic idea, Brian! It's great to hear that an owner is willing to solve a problem AND offer the solution to others with the same issue. The rear hood latch is a commonly-broken part, with the hook portion snapping off. I have a handful of broken latches that I've collected over the years (mostly from my T34s) that I'm willing to offer to Brian to have rebuilt. Offering the rebuilt latch with a core is the best way for him to continue offering these parts to others. Once you decide what the trade-in price is, please let me know so I can publish an article in our monthly magazine to share with everyone. Awesome, Brian!  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2012 21:55:16 GMT -8
Thanks Lee, and thank you for your input on the complete latch rebuild.  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2012 9:55:31 GMT -8
The final cut is done. I just got it yesterday. Photo is from L-R, my original one, first cut, second cut and final. One thing I would like to know from folks is, would you rather have this in stainless steel or steel? LMK. I have cost now, so a price will be forthcoming. I am going to install on Monday, photograph the process, and take notes for instructions. Attachments:
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Post by Lee Hedges on Apr 28, 2012 10:03:26 GMT -8
I would prefer it to be as close to the original color as possible. And I'm sure you know this already but the originals were not painted bright neon orange. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2012 10:58:23 GMT -8
I painted it orange to get an outline when we used the CNC cutter. I am going to just oil mine, which is the right most one.
What I want to know, is would folks rather have it in stainless steel or painted?
Mine was not painted originally.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2012 18:36:03 GMT -8
Hey Lee,
Do you know if the lower section, which pushes the rod, originally had an indent in it or is that wear issue?
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Post by Lee Hedges on Apr 28, 2012 19:03:14 GMT -8
I do not
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2012 13:46:41 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2012 13:02:53 GMT -8
I just got off the phone with the cutter and he can get the 316 Stainless Steel, so that is what I am going to go with. I would like to get a count of how many are wanted, in Stainless or not. If you want just the latch, latch and rod, or a completely rebuilt one from your core. I have putting them back together down to a science (sic) now! Best to email me at bairnboy@gmail.com with your request/wants. BTW, I installed mine this morning. I found out something interesting though. Because we had broken the weld on the housing from the mounting plate, it caused some other issues, which were corrected by filling in with welding material. Don't ask, as it is too difficult to explain, but a good lesson in the wrong way to do it. When I can get another housing, I will be replacing mine. For the time being, I just painted in gun metal grey. Not the final appearance I want, but will work on it. Nevertheless, the latch works perfectly now! Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2012 19:26:08 GMT -8
Plan for the replacement pin, is to use 1018 Mild steel. I will be having it lathe drilled so the end can be spread. May have to make a block or stop to make this work. Ordered the material today and will be getting on it, test to see if it will work they way I hope for.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2012 13:18:40 GMT -8
Because of my own need to fix the decklid latch that broke on my 66 T-34 KG, I had one made up by a professional machine shop with a water jet cutter. With that, I found there was a need for these and did a run of 30, half in cold steel and half in stainless steel. It was done from the specs of the original latch and works perfectly. I am offering these up for sale, as well as rebuilding your housing. I had a jig and tap made up so that the perfect flare can be made to the pin. Please click this link for the ad (page 5) on the T34 World News for more photos. I can be contacted via bairnboy@gmail.com for information. www.leehedges.com/t34/t34world/t34worldnews2012no22.pdfPricing is as follows. Part Description Code Price Cold steel latch CS $60 Stainless steel latch SS $75 Latch pin w latch LPL $20 Latch pin w/o latch LPNL $30 Latch, pin and housing LPHCS $160 Latch, pin & housing LPHSS $175 Shipping is additional. Thank you. Keeping track of sales. 2- SS latches 1- pin Quote from Bobnotch (Samba Member and T34 owner). "Yes, I did get one from Brian (in stainless steel). I've got it right here, and it looks fantastic. All of the shapes are correct (compared to my original). I haven't installed mine though, as I screwed up, and didn't get a pin, but that shouldn't be a problem according to Brian. It's a very nice piece, and should last a long time. B) Highly recommended, after seeing all of the trouble that Brian went thru just to get a replacement (before he had these made)." Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2012 8:58:23 GMT -8
Due to a Samba member in Thailand making up a few latches and undercutting my prices, I am making this offer. Till the end of January, I am offering free shipping to anywhere in the world. Also I will take $10 off any order placed and paid for before January 31, 2013. See my Samba ad. www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1382537 |
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Post by Thom Fitzpatrick on Dec 12, 2012 17:41:40 GMT -8
Due to a Samba member in Thailand making up a few latches and undercutting my prices, I am making this offer.
What a McDouchenozzle! There can't be that big of a market for these overall, so why bother going through the effort to crash such a small party?
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