|
|
Post by Mustang on Jan 7, 2018 18:25:03 GMT 10
Colour choice ........YES.........!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 11, 2018 15:07:13 GMT 10
Finally bit the bullet and started on the back window. Bottom half is now clean of silastic, new hardware and screen fitted and new tinted acylic fitted as the glass was busted - I have another piece for the top window to match so it should look pretty good from the back. 👍 The acrylic was suprisingly cheap - only about $30 per panel you see in the pic below cut to size, although I did do the rounded corners myself. Glass was going to be nearly twice that, so I get a better look, stronger, lighter and better insulating for much less money. 😊 Although it looks very dark, it is very easy to see out of from inside, it's hardy noticable. Now I just have to do the top half and I can finish the back end off, hopefully all this weekend which will make it very nearly complete.  4F4F559C-F97A-4E41-A781-4DAA373A5E4E by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on Jan 12, 2018 8:57:01 GMT 10
"Finally bit the bullet and started on the back window. Bottom half is now clean of silastic, new hardware and screen fitted and new tinted acrylic fitted as the glass was busted - I have another piece for the top window to match so it should look pretty good from the back. 👍
The acrylic was surprisingly cheap - only about $30 per panel you see in the pic below cut to size, although I did do the rounded corners myself. Glass was going to be nearly twice that, so I get a better look, stronger, lighter and better insulating for much less money. 😊
"
All but two of our windows are acyclic, I would estimate a weight saving of around 200kg , based on the fact we have 13 windows, some very large.
|
|
|
|
Post by Husky on Jan 12, 2018 12:37:51 GMT 10
That tinted acrylic looks awesome and if it saves weight and costs less than glass i think i know what i'll be using in my van as i'm starting to price glass and cutting now. just two questions though, how does it cope with fading, cracking or frosting being exposed to sun and where do you get it from?
|
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on Jan 12, 2018 16:29:15 GMT 10
Hi Husky,
I would google "Lexan" its a few grades above acrylic, most suppliers that have Lexan will have every other grade.
I wanted an original look so did not choose tinted, the grade we settled with had a 10 year warranty. so far easy to clean & no scratching.
The whole van cost $700 inc 4 x round corners.
|
|
|
|
Post by Husky on Jan 12, 2018 17:16:47 GMT 10
sweet, i googled it and have come up with two places to suss out tomorrow if they are open.
Thanks Mustang
|
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 12, 2018 17:53:49 GMT 10
Acrylic is UV stable so will last for years in this application - heaps longer than perspex. Lexan and polycarbonate are grades above, but the price climbs rapidly.
I used a place in Tullamarine called Acylic Sheet Form - every style and colour you can imagine, and some you can't. They do custom formwork too - I'll be getting them to remake the corner panels on the Viscount.
|
|
|
|
Post by Husky on Jan 12, 2018 19:16:41 GMT 10
Good to know snoops.
I am curious about one thing though. what are those black or silver things on the face of the window frames each end near the hinge? my van has them too but cant for the life of me figure out what they are or do
|
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 12, 2018 20:09:27 GMT 10
They are the pivots the winder arm pushes into to open the window. As you wind the window winder it turns a screw in the winder box that has an aluminium arm on it which the other end is riveted into that bracket. The old ones are grey and now quite brittle, I’m replacing them all with the new black ones (they only make them in black now) - available from Caravans Plus.
|
|
|
|
Post by pisces51 on Jan 12, 2018 21:19:38 GMT 10
Husky, the fitting on the windows is known as a "Starlite/Australite Windout Window Link Box" (see CaravansPlus here: link boxes ) If you ever need a tutorial on how to dismantle and repair a windout window, CaravansPlus has some good info: Step-by-Step Wind-Out Window Repaircheers, Al. |
|
|
|
Post by Husky on Jan 12, 2018 21:48:25 GMT 10
Ahh ok i'll have nearly every window to rebuild the winder on good thing i have about 3 vans worth of windows for spare parts. If those bits get brittle from age i might just replace them all and be done with it.
The reason i couldn't figure it out is because the interior winder box and handle is missing on the windows i looked at but the link box is still there. thanks guys learn something new every day
|
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 13, 2018 5:02:09 GMT 10
Hardest part of working on these windows is getting the old end stops out I’ve found so you can actually slide the windiw out of the top hinge. Some are stuck good and proper...
|
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on Jan 13, 2018 6:03:01 GMT 10
When you dismantle the winder section that holds the black plastic(in your case grey) pivot point, the tutorial will tell you to re rivet. I found the rivet crushed the plastic & locked the pivot arm, so I used S/S metal threads with Simpson nuts.  If you find a bolt shop, Stainless is quite cheap as opposed to buying in plastic packets from retail stores. |
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 13, 2018 7:36:45 GMT 10
Yeah, I think but and bolts would be better but I had the long rivets lying around so used those. For those playing along if you use rivets, don’t compress them until the stem breaks out like you usually would - do it just enough so it draws up at the back, then cut the stem off with side cutters. This ensures there isn’t too much tension there which smashes the plastic and makes the window operation a bit sticky. Oh and found a good page about acrylic versus polycarbonate ate too - highlinepc.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/acrylic-sheet-and-polycarbonate-sheet.html?m=1Basically polycarbonate isn’t UV stable and will weather. Acrylic is very UV stable and will last a lifetime outside. |
|
|
|
Post by Husky on Jan 13, 2018 13:29:44 GMT 10
Interesting stuff for a bit further down the track. I have plenty of ss bolts and nylock nuts but i like the look of the rivet. Dunno cross that bridge when i get to it. main thing is making them all the same. tired of miss match crap on the van.
Spent the morning fighting with the front skin, it just wouldn't cooperate even after hitting it with a hammer a 1000 times. guess i need a bigger hammer lol
|
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 15, 2018 16:31:07 GMT 10
Well, it's now official - the Franklin is sold. The deal is done, the deposit paid, so I'm frantically trying to finish those little bits and pieces. The new owner has also paid for me to reinstate the front bunks as they have Children, which I've started. It sounds like it will be going to a loving new home in Queensland - I hope the new owner posts on here about their travels in it. I'm happy for them to make themselves known on this thread if they want to - I've let them know so see what happens.
More details when I finish the bunk installation.
Bit of a sad day... 😢
|
|
|
|
Post by myarrow1 on Jan 15, 2018 19:22:33 GMT 10
😢😢 Are u gonna miss the old rig, mate ?
|
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 16, 2018 5:22:19 GMT 10
Yeah, I sure will miss it, but got to look forward to the Viscount now. The new owner is very excited and assures me he will look after my baby.
|
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Jan 16, 2018 12:29:12 GMT 10
Almost like seeing a kid off to make thier own way in the world. But with a more unusual conclusion as the next project takes over.
My suggestion for the new owners is to post an adventure or two, behind any current location, to fend off stalking bargain hunters after a stellar set up classic!
|
|
|
|
Post by myarrow1 on Jan 16, 2018 17:48:44 GMT 10
Soooo Snoops is this like a Ford/Holden thing, jumping from Franklin to a Viscount ? 😜😜😜😜😜
|
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 16, 2018 18:32:25 GMT 10
Soooo Snoops is this like a Ford/Holden thing, jumping from Franklin to a Viscount ? 😜😜😜😜😜 It feels a bit that way, like I'm ditching the Marque... 😐 I love the inovation of the Franklin with its composite walls which were decades ahead of their time and still firmly stuck together after more than 40 years. But I also like that the Viscount has an aluminiumm frame too, and I looove the wrap around windows at each end on it - it's what I remember a caravan to be when I was a kid. I suppose time will tell which is the better van. 😉 |
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 16, 2018 18:37:14 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by Husky on Jan 16, 2018 19:00:02 GMT 10
maybe a handle for the hatch?
Looks great mate well done
|
|
|
|
Post by snoops on Jan 16, 2018 19:08:52 GMT 10
Oh yeah - going to drill a hole in it to put your finger in - forgot to do that - thanks for the reminder. 👍😁
|
|
|
|
Post by myarrow1 on Jan 17, 2018 20:42:51 GMT 10
Looks awesome mate. Must admit as much as I love the Franklins, my 2nd choice would be a Viscount Royal 👍
|
|
