Need to borrow one original GT40 body latch.

[BT SNAKE]

I promise to take care of it and return it in good goodition. If anybody has one and they don't need it for a short time I would love to use it.
I am going to put it into my CAD files. I started doing CAD drawings on original pieces to learn this program and I'm getting better everyday I use it. I figured if I am going to learn CAD then I might as well get some benefit from it.

Hersh

[tcrist]

BT,
I don't have the latch that you are looking for but I was wondering what cad software you are using. I use SolidWorks 2007 at work and it is easy to use. It took me a while to start thinking in 3D instead of 2D. It really is a thought process that you need to get used to.

Terry

[BT SNAKE]

Hi Terry,
I started by getting all the demos I thought would be best for me. That was
Turbo CAD, Alibre, Key Creator by Kubotek, and Solid works. For the last three months I have worked with all these by using their demo videos along with the program. So far I find the most intuitive of these for me is the Key creator. It also happens to be the most expensive one too. I'm really starting to get into this to the point that the wife has noticed that I am spending gads of time at the computer. It becomes addictive once you get the hang of it. I don't think I could do this if I hadn't taken 4yrs of mechanical drawing. It brings back alot of things I had forgotten. I just think it would be a hoot to
have parts on CAD from the GT while I'm learning. 3D rocks !!
Terry, I did not use Solid works very much but I plan to give it more time when I finish my evaluation of Kubotek. My CNC machinist friend who owns a huge shop uses Key Creator. He says it fits his needs best. So I thought, what the heck, I might as well start there.

Hersh

Hersh

[tcrist]

BT,

The reason that we got SolidWorks is that a lot of our customers use it. As for me, I have been in precision sheetmetal for 35+ years and SolidWorks has a great unfold feature for sheetmetal applications. If you draw the part correctly (and it is a sheetmetal part) then the end user can use your flat pattern to create the program for their punch presses or lasers. Hence less cost for the buyer because there programmer dosn't have to spend the time redrawing what you have already done. As far as your application. If you don't plan on having any sheetmetal parts built than any Cad package will work. You just need to find one that works for you.

Terry

[mikiec]

Hersh..

Have you contacted Harley Cluxton?

Mike

[BT SNAKE]

Hi Mikiec,
No I have not. I must admit that I forgot about Harley. I'll call
him when I get back home. (on the road in the camper at the moment.)

Thanks Mikie !


Terry, I'll give the Solid works sheetmetal feature a try. Sounds interesting.
Thanks Terry.

Hersh

[BMK]

BTSNAKE

Hersh,

Hi mate - on the road and in the camper.

Stay safe...

[mickmate]

Are the GT40 latches the same as hood latches off a Triumph Herald? I forget the brand.

[BT SNAKE]

Hi Bernie & Mick,
I'm back home now Bernie. I to took Paula out to the property in Texas.

Mick, These were aircraft hinges made by Hartwell. They are expensive only because they are used on aircraft. I figure if I can get one and draw it
up in my CAD program I could have them made with variations, I have access
to a large CNC machine shop and as long as I have the DXF. file I can have them made. There are a few other copies around but they want a small ransom as well. As long as that part is not used on an aircraft then it should not cost that much. I know about supply and demand but $1200 for a set is
not fair. There is a replica set available for I believe $800. Even that is too high. I think a fair price is more around $75 range .

Hersh

[crossle43]

Hi Hersh - been too long since we've connected!

I just ran across an eBay post for some original Hartwell bits. Don't know if the set is complete but surely it's worth a look.

Ironically, I contacted Hartwell just last week and inquired about obtaining a set. In the interest of saving a few dollars, I told them the latches wouldn't require an FAA stamp as the only flying I intend to do is at a much lower altitude. Anyway, they can and will whip up a set... to the tune of ~$14,000 for the set of four (but there is a nice discount for quantity). The reproduction latches out of Detroit (which I understand have been reverse-engineered) suddenly started to look like one heck of a value!

Sure do miss you guys -- be sure to pass along a hello to Paula from both Donna and I, will you?

Best,

Dutton

[BT SNAKE]

Hi Tim,
Great to hear from you !
You know anytime you and Donna are in town you are most welcome here. We always have plenty of room.

I have read the thread on the other forum about those hinges you mentioned.
My goal is to find a way to reproduce the hinge in a way that won't empty your wallet. As luck would have it I located a set of drawings for these type hinges (not Hartwell but real close). I would still like too have one original just for comparison and to keep the scale correct. So we will see as to what happens. Hopefully it won't take me too long and I will have a prototype.

Hersh

[BMK]

Hersh,

Good to se that you and Paula arrived back safely. Will ring

Bernie