For my next big project, I'd like to add a new skill--that of using an e-bay hatch. I'm guessing as I have ever seen one up close, that the way to do it is use a coupler for the ebay per usual, cut a rectangle in that for access, drop rivnuts or whatever near the 4 corners, then using a dremel diamond wheel or similar with very little kerf cut a larger rectangle from the AF material itself. Drill holes in that to match up to the rivuts, and done, or get fancy and epoxy the cutout from the coupler to the inside of the hatch. Tips , suggestions, a better way all appreciated.
John S
I have two on my L3 rocket: one cut the way you mentioned, the other added as an after-thought. Some use the section cut out as the hatch, while I wanted a closer fit and made both by sanding, cutting, sanding, cursing, sanding (four tries on one, two on the other)... both look good though. Nutserts (threaded inserts) used on both, with black oxide 8-32 screws, two on the upper bay and four on the lower. Because I'm going to use black gasket silicone on the upper (and lower) with a rubber gasket on the hatch, I can get away with not having four on the upper, plus it's almost three foot from either separation point. All straight forward. The lower avionics bay will not be used on my L3, unless I put the Blacksky altimeter in it for data acquistion only. I'll have my L3 for James R's inspection at the annual meeting, so you can get a first hand look, if you'd like.
Look forward to seeing it, and I like the idea of some gasket material. I just can't afford to chew up a whole lot of tubing in the process as the 7.5PML stuff aint cheap, esp when you start covering it with kevlar and CF.
John S
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