Glen-L.com

Currently laying out the hatch framing for my barrelback19. I know that the cross members of the hatch opening must be cut so they slant outward from the top, or the hatch will not open. I'm trying to figure out at what angle to cut those cross members. The picture shows how far I got today. Those long frame pieces that make up the middle part of the framing will have a 1/4" gap between them, and they are about 4" wide. So...knowing that, there must be some sort of calculation to figure out the angle, right? Any suggestions?

Thanks, Chris

add the same gap you have on the perimeter to the center of the two hatches, the ss trim covers the gap. no special angles needed.

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Billy's Belle Isle website

There doesn't appear to be a gap in the top picture...looks pretty tight. You could sand a bevel on one side for clearance to open if needed.

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Bill

I told my wife we needed a three-car garage for my projects...she told me to ask her for permission next time before I buy a house.
http://www.unitybuild.net

IMO would rather see the full thickness frame member when the hatch door is open
-Billy

_________________
(insert witty phrase here)
Billy's Belle Isle website

If you want angles on the center hatch stringers without removing any wood, just cut a slight angle on the top of the full width stringer system. Of course this requires custom fitting the ends but not a big deal at this stage of building. Personally I like a tighter fit that the tapers gives me.

Thank you for all the comments and ideas. There will be a 1/4'' gap between the two center frames, as there is around the entire hatch frame. So, Billy C, are you saying that when one hatch door swings open on it's hinge, that center frame will not hit the center frame on the opposite side? I would think that it would, preventing the hatch from opening...that's why I thought those center frames had to bevel in slightly to clear each other while opening.

here is the detail- 1/4" all perimeter edges 3/8" center (you could go 1/4 in the center but i left a fudge factor if the wood changed dimension)
-Billy

_________________
(insert witty phrase here)
Billy's Belle Isle website