- Thread starter
- #541
Sh*t just got real
Builds Zeke, the 1975 Wanderer and DD
- Thread starter 120mm
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- Thread starter
- #542
Bought and put up a shed and Zeke helped.
I celebrated the move by breaking my hatch handle. Research indicates they are officially unobtanium except by spending $581 to $705 through Shapeways. Any other suggestions?
I celebrated the move by breaking my hatch handle. Research indicates they are officially unobtanium except by spending $581 to $705 through Shapeways. Any other suggestions?
Man, I didn't realize they were that much, but an old one is going to be half that and who knows when it's time is up.
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- #544
So "unavoidable expense" might be the justification.
And think of the opportunity cost of being super confident in that particular part?
bobm
WTF, WTF, WTF!!!!
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- #546
Like this?
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- #547
I am thinking it shouldn't be that hard to fabricate one from sheet metal. You could get the proper dimension on the pivot point with washers.Send pic of broken handle. I have ideas
Controls on a piper cub are fabricated similarly.
bobm
WTF, WTF, WTF!!!!
If it snapped further up on the arm. I was thinking strip of metal to Splint it. Then drill and tap it 
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
I think these handles get stressed because the natural tendency is to open the tailgate by pulling that handle. I have tried hard to train myself to pull the handle up and then open the tailgate by pulling on the body of it at the top. Not saying that's how yours broke but I'm sure many have been overstressed that way.
I got in the habit of pushing on worn PU tailgates before pulling up on handle at work, so your taking stress off the handle by relaxing the mechanism...same should apply to a pig gate.
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- #551
That and they are made from cheaply cast pot metal
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- #552
Dinking around with it, I'm trying to figure out why I couldn't just build a rope or wire handle that would release the tailgate. If I could use a pliers to actuate the mechanism, why not rope or wire?
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
I’m sure bailing wire and duct tape have solved worse.
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- #554
To make it look super perfeshunal, I could take some cable and d hooks and that would look kewl
62 VW deck lid handle fit right in the key hole, just temporarily fix not sure if the window will clear as I have not put my in good luck
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Good idea!
Lol, just found this on another thread. Aged well.
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- #558
Been daily driving Zeke since last fall with only minor problems. Occasionally the steering would stick but it was never a biggie. Then this happened in the Tractor Supply parking lot.
Then it was up to the ride of shame
Then it was up to the ride of shame
Well that’s not good, but at least you were not on the highway when it happened. Always something on these old rigs.
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- #560
The parking lot it happened in had a German food truck about 12 feet away. Had some delicious currywurst mit pommes frites while I was waiting for the tow truck. Wasn't completely a waste.
