Page 1 of 1

Door window replacement

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 7:01 pm
by 8170
So, I broke my pilot's side door window in a bonehead move and need to replace it. Has anyone made their own and if so what is a good source for the material? I mic'd mine and its .050. Most things I have seen call for somewhere ~.080 Thoughts?

Re: Door window replacement

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 7:49 pm
by a64pilot
I replaced both of mine, dead easy, I believe i used a router with a tracer bit. I used acrylic we had at the plant, but am 99% sure you can get it at home depot or Lowe’s.
I cut holes for snap vents with a hole saw, play with some scrap pieces to cut the hole. I had to reduce the diameter of the hole saw by a few thou for a tight fit, I used a file to file the teeth down by chucking it in a drill press and pressing the file against it.

If you want grey tint you can order that on line I’m sure.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/snapvents2.php

Re: Door window replacement

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 8:20 pm
by 8424
Hi Joe.

I just replaced the right door window. I considered making my own and it wouldn't have been difficult. I bought mine (.080) from Great Lakes Aero. The rubber channel around the window was old and brittle. Great Lakes sells the channel if you find yours is needing to be replaced. You will need 7 ft. I used soft rivets (with my IA's blessing) to reassemble the frame, using a hand squeezer.

The window and channel were delivered in about 5 days. It was rather pricey at $128.61 delivered. I could have saved some money buying the window elsewhere, but it was nice to get the rubber channel from the same vendor.

The Great Lakes window and channel is FAA/PMA approved and they provide paperwork for the logbook. Maybe all the window vendors do this.

Hope this helps.

Steve A H

Re: Door window replacement

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:51 am
by a64pilot
I used counter sunk screws and self locking nuts

Re: Door window replacement

Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:52 pm
by 8170
Thanks everyone. My frame is held in with cs screws everywhere except where the window latch is. I think I will go ahead and fabricate a new window myself. I have to make windows for my patroller door project so this will be good practice.