Question for Steve Norris Re - Rear stowage bins.

[Derek Attree]

Hi Steve
Looking at your Panther on the galary.
I noticed your rear stowage bins have opening hatches.
It looks like you converted the kit ones.
I have machined the hatch away to leave a square hole I have ordered some catches, I am looking for small hinges too.
I wondered how you made the lids.
Were they machined out from solid, or pressed, or fabricated from sheet and strip to give the rebated look inside...

Thanks

Derek

[Steve Norris]

Hi Derek,
I first made a rectangular plug out of some scrap alloy the size of the lid and just deep enough to form the lid around (add a radius to the edges). Next step was to aneal a small sheet of brass of the required thickness and when cool clamp it over the plug. All that you have to do now is gently form the lips of the lid arond the plug using a hammer. When you have the required shape just trim away any excess material using a cutting disc in a Dremel motortool. Job done!
The hinges i formed myself using strip brass andthin wire pins, It took a few attempts to get a good result but not to dificult.
Hope this helps
Steve (On holiday in Tenerife at the moment)

[Derek Attree]

Thanks Steve
Enjoy the holiday.

Thats a reply above the call of duty.

I have started my lids I decided to mill out from solid brass sheet and hollow them on the inside. I have left a wall thickness of 1mm all round.

I have put a radius on the corners then I have sand blasted them I think they look good.

I still have to make the hinges

Regards Derek