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05-01-2007, 11:26 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2007 25' Classic
Hydes
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 713
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Sharp Sheet Metal Screws!!
The screens on my 25' Classic are screwed to the window frames using 3/4" #8 sheet metal screws with a white painted head. If you leave your windows open at camp grounds, eventually you'll be cleaning the sills of your windows, which you have to do from outside. Well these sheet metal screws are way to long for the job that they do. They stick out a good 1/2" past the frame and will cut your hand if your not really carefull. I went to the big box hardware store and bought the same #8 screws only 1/2" instead then I cut off the points with a pair of snips and ground the points flat using an abrasive wheel on a Dremel tool.. The screws are now only 3/8" long ;big difference. Tighten them down and they only protrude about 1/8" past the frame at the most and the holding power is just as good. Now you can get a cleaning rag in there with out fear of cutting yourself. Don't look for these screws in the hardware section instead you'll find them in the section with down spouts and gutters. Seems like a lot of work but it really isn't. You only need to change out the bottom row and I did the first screw up either side also. I also changed out all the exterior rusting steel screws on the exterior of the trailer with stainless steel.
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05-01-2007, 12:21 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Huntington Beach
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,293
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Thanks
Great tip Craftsman2.......I have wondered if those screws were only in my AS since none of the screws used are sized properly throught my unit. Either too long or too short or too fat or too thin. And of course, there are the rusty ones. Basically, we have been screwed as far as fasteners go, pun intended.
Airstream needs new engineers to improve screwing procedures.
Time
__________________
Travel is in my blood, adventure is my passport, aluminum is my favorite construction medium, and therefore, an Airstream was my destiny.
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05-01-2007, 12:48 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice
, California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
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I had that problem on the Excella, so I guess they've been doing that same dumb stunt for years and years. I replace the screws with truss head SS 8/32 machine screws and aluminum rivet nuts made by Gesipa.
http://www.gesipausa.com/olympic.htm
I bought the tool from McMaster-Carr. I use it all the time and have replaced fasteners all over the rig. You can get aluminum or steel inserts in various sizes. It gives a much more professional result. I'll post some pics of the tool and the screen modification.
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi
'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
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05-01-2007, 12:53 PM
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#4
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_
.
, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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yea those screws are part of the airstream security system...
when a bad guy tries to enter via an open window...
he gets poked or ruins a fresh manicure!
i've considered using a dremel to cut off the current screws and soften the tips...
every time i clean those channels...
good tip craftsman...
cheers
2air'
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05-01-2007, 02:25 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2005 28' International CCD
Willoughby
, Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 543
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I like your replacement idea - I have a few nicks from cleaning windows too.
I got a new Dremel tool as a premium for a hotel/travel club I belong to because I travel a lot for my job. Its second use (the first was to sharpen lawnmower blades) will be to smooth the corners of the 'gutters' above each window. I've Walbernized our AS four times already and all four times managed to peel many layers of skin off my fingers as I ran into these babies.
Shame on me for not learning the first time, but I'm SURE there are others of you out there who have done the same.
I'll try the Dremel on the screws as well!
__________________
Steve & Susan
WBCCI# 03876
AIR# 6511
2005 28' CCD, 2011 Sierra 5.3L, Equal-I-Zer
Empty Nesters - spending our money on OURSELVES for a change!
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05-01-2007, 04:02 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1971 27' Overlander
Central
, Ohio
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,365
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If you prefer not to cut the screws off. Take a small paint brush and cover the tip of the screw with this stuff. It comes in clear and will cushion the sharp edge.
Clear Plasti Dip Multi-Purpose Rubber Coating, Dipping Can, 14.5 Fluid oz. - PLD-11609-6
$7.99
Description | Warranty
Clear Plasti Dip Multi-Purpose Rubber Coating, Dipping Can, 14.5 Fluid oz.
Plasti Dip multi-purpose coatings allow you to rubberize just about anything! Plasti Dip is a flexable synthetic multi-purpose coating that exhibits excellent moisture, acid, alkaline, and abrasion resistance. - Flexable - Won't crack, chip, or become brittle
- Insulates - Electrical shock, vibration, and heat
- Grip - Provides safe non-slip comfort and control
- Durable - Resists weather, chemicals, impact, and abrasion
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05-01-2007, 05:22 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,062
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Riv-nuts! Great idea... thanks now I have an excuse to have bought another tool
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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05-01-2007, 05:42 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice
, California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
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Here are some shots of the Gesipa riv-nut system. They come in various sizes and grip ranges. These are 8/32. One nice thing is that these nuts are serrated, so that they grip wdhen they are set with the tool and wont work loose.
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi
'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
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05-01-2007, 06:17 PM
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#9
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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Actually from a manufacturing standpoint all screws the lenght of the longest necessary for the trailer makes it so the people assembling do not have to worry about which screw for which hole.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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05-01-2007, 06:19 PM
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#10
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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Be careful with rivnuts. We use them in airplanes and I hate them. It is very easy to over stress them putting them in and is the nut gets loose the screw is nearly impossible to remove or insert.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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05-01-2007, 06:26 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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How True !!!!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by thecatsandi
Be careful with rivnuts. We use them in airplanes and I hate them. It is very easy to over stress them putting them in and is the nut gets loose the screw is nearly impossible to remove or insert.
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I'm with ya Michelle!!!! Been There....Done That!!! I used Riv-nuts extensively when I built my Lexan hurrican shutter system. They work great until they don't........then they are a royal PIA to remove. If they are loose and spinning, it's really hard to get the drill bit to bite.
Other than that.....they're great!
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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05-02-2007, 07:13 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,530
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I also hate rivnuts for the same reasons stated by Lewster and thecatsandi. I.ll put in a nutplate anytime over a rivnut. Once a spinning rivnut is removed the nole is so big nothing can be done with it. We don't use them at all on either of our aircraft.
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05-02-2007, 07:23 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2007 25' Classic
Hydes
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 713
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Rivnuts definatly have their place but with the screens and frames it's not only the sharpness of a sheet metal screw sticking past the frame it's the length. The idea was to not only eliminate the point but to reduce the length to the shortest possible so that you can actually clean the sills with a minimum of obstruction. My wife has the digital camera in Holland and I'll take some photo's this weekend when she returns.
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05-02-2007, 08:45 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,062
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So now I need a MIG welder to tack down the riv-nuts, bonus tool!
Maybe Screendoor insert panel clips into liners and do away with through-bolts into window frame all together... There are myraid flavors of little clips available - one of them surely could be adapted?
__________________
The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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05-02-2007, 09:53 AM
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#15
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INSANITY CENTRAL
1986 32' Excella
Airstream Funeral Coach
Citrus Heights
, California
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,108
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I'm with the other airplane folks! Down on rivnuts! altho in this application when one starts spinning you can get to the back side and clamp on a pair of vicegrips so you can drill it out. I pull my screens every so often to hose them off do a good cleaning, while they are off I then detail the frame work with no screws to cut me up. As I'm redoing my window treatment I'll be tapping out all the holes that hold the screens in place and replacing with truss head machine screws, and a dab of loctite. Just my input. DG
__________________
www.popasmoke.com
Proud Appellation American
Vine View Heights is now closed.
YETI ( 65 Quart )
IGLOO (Ice Cube, 50 Quart )
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05-02-2007, 03:46 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,335
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Back in 2003, replacing these ghastly screws with stainless bolts was described here:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f164...ment-8426.html?
Nick.
__________________
Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
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05-02-2007, 03:54 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,335
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__________________
Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
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05-02-2007, 03:58 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice
, California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
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Deja vu-all over again?
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi
'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
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05-02-2007, 04:01 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2007 25' Classic
Hydes
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 713
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Nick, good detective work. I actually thought about nuts, washers and bolts but I thought it may just be to much work if I ever had to remove the screens for cleaning. It' is a good option though.
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05-02-2007, 04:12 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,335
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Excella CM
Deja vu-all over again?
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Yes, unfortunately. The current method of using the sharp screws is certainly the least skilled, quickest, easiest and most horrible way to install the screens.
Nick.
__________________
Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
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