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06-27-2013, 08:19 AM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2016 30' Flying Cloud
Oviedo
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 264
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Solution for Securing Bottom of Mini-Blinds
I have been frustrated since almost day 1 with the white plastic clips Airstream uses to secure the bottom of the mini blinds in my Safari SE (now Flying Cloud). I recently fabricated a magnetic catch once I realized the bottom rail of the blind was steel.
I used 1/2" x 1/2" aluminum angle stock (got mine at Lowes - $6 for 8 ft), some 1/4" dia nickel plated neodymium magnets from Amazon, 3M Clear Mounting tape (Walmart) and cyanoacrylate glue to bond the magnets to the aluminum rail (aka super glue). I built these using the basic tools I carry with me while traveling and installed them while staying here at Highland Haven in SW VA (hacksaw, emory cloth, wet/dry sandpaper & Dremel tool) so duplicating these shouldn't be too challenging for most folks.
The rail is attached to the bottom window frame (the mill finish piece that is screwed or riveted to the interior wall using the mounting tape to minimize any more holes in the trailer. If the tape fails to hold up over time, I will use a couple small sheet metal screws per window. The result is a 10" long aluminum rail with 3 small nickel plated magnets on top. The blind height is adjusted so the bottom rail of the blind is held by the magnets. The assemblies blend in with the aluminum window frames and only stick out 1/2" (far less than the window levers).
I will post some photos once I get them uploaded to my Zenfolio site so I can attach them.
The blinds now snap into place and stay put - far less frustration than the stretched-out plastic pieces that were OEM.
__________________
Keith & Barb
2016 30' Flying Cloud
2016 Ram 2500 diesel
Southeastern Camping Unit, WBCCI #1675
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06-27-2013, 08:51 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2010 28' Flying Cloud
Lower Alabama
, USA
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 658
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Looking forward to more info, they are a PITA.
__________________
Alan
"If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you never tried before!"
Air #64439
Southeastern Camping Unit WBCCI #5033
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06-27-2013, 09:06 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Saint Augustine
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 569
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Can't wait to see the pictures - I have the same frustration with my blinds. Sounds like a great idea that you devised.
__________________
Carol, Aboard "Aggie the DreamStream"
WBCCI# 5248
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06-27-2013, 09:11 AM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
1972 25' Tradewind
Chattanooga
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 165
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Not only a good idea with the blinds, but could work with drapes in older models where the lower rail has disappeared. Thanks.
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06-28-2013, 11:25 AM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
2016 30' Flying Cloud
Oviedo
, Florida
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 264
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Photos Added
__________________
Keith & Barb
2016 30' Flying Cloud
2016 Ram 2500 diesel
Southeastern Camping Unit, WBCCI #1675
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06-28-2013, 01:35 PM
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#6
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
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A simpler way
I bought rare-earth magnets and matching cups over the net from Rockler. The cup screws into the window frame and the magnet is inserted into the cup. Make darn sure all is right before inserting a magnet, because getting a magnet back out of a cup is tough. The magnets and cups come 10 to a package. The cup I use is on the right on the Rockler page.
I posted a picture of my magnets on this site, but I don't have time to hunt for it right now.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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06-29-2013, 07:59 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Saint Augustine
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 569
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Quote:
Originally Posted by khollister
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Looks great!
__________________
Carol, Aboard "Aggie the DreamStream"
WBCCI# 5248
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09-12-2013, 06:30 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,225
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Quote:
Originally Posted by khollister
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Great solution khollister. I am going to order some magnets from Amazon to secure the bottom of the cellular blinds I just installed. Thanks for the great design.
Dan
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09-12-2013, 06:58 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2008 27' Classic FB
Burkburnett
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 985
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TouringDan
... I am going to order some magnets from Amazon to secure the bottom of the cellular blinds I just installed. Thanks for the great design ...
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I just picked up a 10 pack of these magnets at Harbor Freight for $3. They are about 8mm in diameter, look like hearing aid batteries and are incredibly strong.
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AIR 47751
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09-12-2013, 08:46 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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I just used a piece of angle steel rather than aluminum. Mine is only about 3" long, centered in the window, and the magnets stick to the steel as well as the bottom of the blind. No glue required. I used the original screws that hold the trim in place for the angle metal, so not even new holes were required. I also used the Harbor Freight magnets, which work fine. I put 3 on each piece of steel.
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09-13-2013, 01:26 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1986 32' Excella
Currently Looking...
Canton
, Georgia
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,342
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Brilliant!
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09-13-2013, 02:02 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Davenport
, Iowa
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,146
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I just did the same thing. I tried using the magnetic tape; it is not strong enough. There is a HF here, headed out to get the magnets.
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07-31-2014, 07:53 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2008 23' Safari FB SE
Boulder
, Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 510
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idroba
I just used a piece of angle steel rather than aluminum. Mine is only about 3" long, centered in the window, and the magnets stick to the steel as well as the bottom of the blind. No glue required. I used the original screws that hold the trim in place for the angle metal, so not even new holes were required. I also used the Harbor Freight magnets, which work fine. I put 3 on each piece of steel.
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Interesting that they stick without glue. I was concerned about the L bracket since we lean against our windows in the dinette. This seems to imply I could put the magnets without glue on my window frame and then press the blind against it without the L bracket. Do y'all think this would work?
If so, simple and elegant solution that requires no drilling or glue.
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12-02-2014, 10:38 PM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari SS SE
Davis
, California
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 8
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When we bought our 2007 Safari last Christmas we were to have had new metal hold down clips for the blinds installed from the dealer to replace the already broken one or two we spotted. Needless to say they didn't install anything. (Can I simply suggest to stay away from Southwest Coaches in Riverside, CA---or is this notation not allowed?)
I found at "http://blindsusainc.com/blindsusa-hold.htm#holddowns",
the metal Hold Down Brackets Item# HD-1NZP , (pair): $2.45.
These are shiny metal, the vendor states Zinc but it looks chromed or polished stainless. And they could not fit any more perfect than they do.
If you want magnets, go for it, but we are thrilled to have these metal hold down clips.
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12-03-2014, 05:40 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2019 23' International
La Habra
, California
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brightonsub
When we bought our 2007 Safari last Christmas we were to have had new metal hold down clips for the blinds installed from the dealer to replace the already broken one or two we spotted. Needless to say they didn't install anything. (Can I simply suggest to stay away from Southwest Coaches in Riverside, CA---or is this notation not allowed?)
I found at "http://blindsusainc.com/blindsusa-hold.htm#holddowns",
the metal Hold Down Brackets Item# HD-1NZP , (pair): $2.45.
These are shiny metal, the vendor states Zinc but it looks chromed or polished stainless. And they could not fit any more perfect than they do.
If you want magnets, go for it, but we are thrilled to have these metal hold down clips.
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Do you have any pictures? I'd like to replace our plastic tabs as well
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
2019 GMC Sierra Denali
2019 23CB International
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12-03-2014, 10:36 PM
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#16
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1 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari SS SE
Davis
, California
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 8
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Sorry, at the moment I don't have pictures of my own, but....
if 'blindsusainc.com' forgives me for stealing their picture from the link I provided, it shows you the vendor's picture -including a ruler showing the size of the clips.
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12-04-2014, 06:52 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2019 23' International
La Habra
, California
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,019
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Thanks, I found their site
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
2019 GMC Sierra Denali
2019 23CB International
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