PDA

View Full Version : door catches


flymadmike
08-21-2016, 11:42 AM
hi everyone, how many of you have found the little slide catches on the doors to be as much use as an ashtray in a gale,my pilot door opened with a right old bang in middair the other day, anyone got any fix-it ideas that doesn't need a machine shop,cheers mike
SkySteve
08-21-2016, 01:56 PM
Mike,
This solution may be a little to "red neck" for you, but it has worked fine for me for several years. It is a water valve shut off handle. Less than $10. I flattened the bent metal end, painted the handle to match my plane, drilled a hole in the lower door frame just forward of center then installed the handle on the inside of the frame with a small bolt and nylock nut adjusted to the right feel. It actually works great and no one has ever realized it isn't an authentic aircraft part. Well, at least until now.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/85DD/Water%20valve%20shut%20off%20handle.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/85DD/Water%20valve%20shut%20off%20handle.jpg.html)
Pilot4Life
08-21-2016, 02:17 PM
Well Steve...and all this time, we thought your plane was 100% Aero...cat's out do the bag now...I suppose we can still trust your opinions here🙃.

Mike,
I'm a fan of the loop handle with double latches. Someone here will likely chime in with a photo or two...
SkySteve
08-21-2016, 03:05 PM
Chris,
If that's what you think, I really should clarify. My door latches came from the Apollo Aviation Division! Those of us who use field sprinklers for irrigation often use Aviation parts on our irrigation systems. Sheesh, you didn't KNOW that? :D
Pilot4Life
08-21-2016, 03:55 PM
In the adventure riding world (aka, my Suzuki DR650SE) they're called "farkles", in home improvements they're called DIYs...here? I call it PURE GENIUS! 👍🏻👍🏻 keep it up guys...one day, maybe soon😏 I'll have my KF and I know that I can glean a lot from y'all!
SkySteve
08-21-2016, 07:42 PM
Chris,
Being just a simple country boy, I had to Google both Suzuki DR650SE and farkle. You could probably outrun my Kitfox with that machine and a couple farkles!! I love it! :o:p
Northof49
08-21-2016, 08:23 PM
This is what I did for mine, very secure.
Mike
Pilot4Life
08-22-2016, 07:01 AM
Steve...Indeed it's a blast, but would love to be in a Kitfox...someday?!?!

Mike, I like the inside latch...is the outside a removable handle for security or is it just a low profile for aerodynamics?
flymadmike
08-22-2016, 08:29 AM
Thanks for the useful replies guys especially skysteve, a nice simple fix so will post on here again i'm sure.

cheers mike
Northof49
08-22-2016, 09:25 AM
Chris
No the outside handle is not removeable
The set screw in the bushing just stops the handle from pulling through when you close and latch the door.
Mike.
Pilot4Life
08-22-2016, 02:15 PM
I see...thanks for the info.
Maverick
10-11-2017, 04:09 PM
SkySteve, can you post some pics of that door latch system you used or send to me personally? I want to do something different from the original V5 latch.
Thanks
SkySteve
10-13-2017, 06:50 PM
Maverick,
Mine are, at the very best, low tech. Here are some photos:
I drilled a hole here:
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/85DD/AB326225-ABFB-4928-B455-9503776B8D86-3330-0000048B3ABEE4FF.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/user/KitfoxSteve/media/85DD/AB326225-ABFB-4928-B455-9503776B8D86-3330-0000048B3ABEE4FF.jpg.html)

Then using a simple water valve shut off handle, I cut off the small tab and bolted it thru the shaped door to the inside of the door frame. More of a farm approach than an engineer approach. I did find a valve with a blue vinyl handle so it matches my plane (the artist touch, I guess).
http://rs237.pbsrc.com/albums/ff12/KitfoxSteve/85DD/Water%20valve%20shut%20off%20handle.jpg~c100