|
|
04-01-2019, 06:44 PM
|
#1
|
New Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Tacoma, WA, USA
Posts: 5
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: 906 Mercedes 6.4l turbo diesel
Rated Cap: 24 passenger
|
Securing the doors and hatches
I’ll be starting on my 2006 Thomas Freightliner conversion and was hoping for enlightenment on the best tools and tactics for securing the doors and hatches. I am doing a very light touch conversion, and want to keep the doors and hatches original as possible. But there is not a single lock to be found.
I assume there is a good place to buy locking latches for the battery and storage hatches, the wheelchair lift and emergency exit door? Links?
I believe I could secure the main bi-fold door with a swing bar and padlock? Is there a more straightforward solution?
It makes perfect sense that it isn’t lockable. They used to live in a motor pool surrounded by chain link and concertina wire, and had nothing on board worth stealing other than the bus itself. If the doors and hatches could lock, it would probably be a nightmare for motor pool staff when drivers lost the keys.
However, I need to be able to lock up. Any guidance welcome.
|
|
|
04-01-2019, 07:21 PM
|
#2
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
|
Try these folks. They've got a good selection and variety of paddle handle lockable latches:
https://www.mcmaster.com/flush-mount-latches
|
|
|
04-01-2019, 08:01 PM
|
#3
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
|
I found this deadbolt the cheapest and easiest way to secure a back door. Lock was $9. Put a spacer on the back of the door, drill the hole for the cylinder, 4 screws to mount it to the door. Weld the catch on the red arm and you're done.
|
|
|
04-17-2019, 11:24 PM
|
#4
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 117
Year: 2008
Coachwork: International
Chassis: PB105
Engine: VT365 6.0L v8 Diesel
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
I found this deadbolt the cheapest and easiest way to secure a back door. Lock was $9. Put a spacer on the back of the door, drill the hole for the cylinder, 4 screws to mount it to the door. Weld the catch on the red arm and you're done.
|
I saw someone used this same deadbolt on the front split door and it worked fine. It's what I'm planning to use when the time comes.
|
|
|
04-25-2019, 03:20 AM
|
#5
|
New Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Tacoma, WA, USA
Posts: 5
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: 906 Mercedes 6.4l turbo diesel
Rated Cap: 24 passenger
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
I found this deadbolt the cheapest and easiest way to secure a back door. Lock was $9. Put a spacer on the back of the door, drill the hole for the cylinder, 4 screws to mount it to the door. Weld the catch on the red arm and you're done.
|
This is fantastic! I apologize for the delay in responding...I have been wandering the earth in a land of shitty WiFI.
As I understand it, the whole would be to provide the external lock cyliner? So a fairly good sized hole? I am so new to this, but do you use drill oil when drilling into the sheet metal? Any bit preferences?
|
|
|
04-25-2019, 08:01 AM
|
#6
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaddyMonkeyman
This is fantastic! I apologize for the delay in responding...I have been wandering the earth in a land of shitty WiFI.
As I understand it, the whole would be to provide the external lock cyliner? So a fairly good sized hole? I am so new to this, but do you use drill oil when drilling into the sheet metal? Any bit preferences?
|
you would use a hole saw of the correct size to fit the lock cylinder - hole saws are a bit pricey, but the alternative is drilling a bunch of small holes, then a lot of filing to make the cylinder fit properly
|
|
|
04-25-2019, 10:14 AM
|
#7
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaddyMonkeyman
This is fantastic! I apologize for the delay in responding...I have been wandering the earth in a land of shitty WiFI.
As I understand it, the whole would be to provide the external lock cyliner? So a fairly good sized hole? I am so new to this, but do you use drill oil when drilling into the sheet metal? Any bit preferences?
|
The hole is made with an appropriate sized hole saw.
|
|
|
04-26-2019, 08:06 AM
|
#8
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Indiana
Posts: 128
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Me
Chassis: 2001 IC
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 72
|
The almighty Hole Dozer. These things will rip your arms off when you get into the larger ones if your not careful. I used a six inch recently and it almost got away from me. Glad I ate my Wheaties that day.
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 12:41 PM
|
#9
|
New Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Tacoma, WA, USA
Posts: 5
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner
Engine: 906 Mercedes 6.4l turbo diesel
Rated Cap: 24 passenger
|
I have owned a set of hole saws for aeons, but have never used them on metal. Clearly it can be done, but do you just let it rip or use a little drill oil? Carpentry is old hat to me, metal is a whole new world.
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 01:01 PM
|
#10
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N.C.
Posts: 1,136
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 34
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaddyMonkeyman
I have owned a set of hole saws for aeons, but have never used them on metal. Clearly it can be done, but do you just let it rip or use a little drill oil? Carpentry is old hat to me, metal is a whole new world.
|
Oil will help, but slow, steady, and level wins the race. The bits 'grab' because the cutting edge has tilted in the work, and is cutting deeper on one side than the other. Over the years, I've broken the handles off 3 different 1/2" drills by going faster than I should have.
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 01:11 PM
|
#11
|
Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by plfking
Oil will help, but slow, steady, and level wins the race. The bits 'grab' because the cutting edge has tilted in the work, and is cutting deeper on one side than the other. Over the years, I've broken the handles off 3 different 1/2" drills by going faster than I should have.
|
I found a "cutting and drilling lube" at NAPA that is water based and doesn't leave the mess that machine oil does. Works well and is handy in a regular spray bottle.
PLFking, What is your secret? I would rather break handles than have the drill try and rip my right arm off Where you break a handle I wind up with a sprained wrist instead.....
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 01:37 PM
|
#12
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 480
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by indigo_k
I saw someone used this same deadbolt on the front split door and it worked fine. It's what I'm planning to use when the time comes.
|
We put a simple deadbolt on the back door like this:
For the wheelchair door we used a lock like this:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...57599560638180
We also used the deadbolt like o1marc posted on the front door, but don't have any closeup pictures of it.
__________________
Dave
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 01:42 PM
|
#13
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Palmer, AK
Posts: 279
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf T Liner MVP 11 window 32’
Engine: CAT 3126E
Rated Cap: 72
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaddyMonkeyman
I believe I could secure the main bi-fold door with a swing bar and padlock? Is there a more straightforward solution?
|
I'm planning on drilling a hole on the lever & keep on the inside of each emergency exit. A carabiner will go in each of those.
For the front door I'll use this on the outside:
https://www.masterlock.com/personal-...oduct/M736XKAD
On the inside (when we're living in the bus), I'll just use an old fashion bar that sits in a cradle.
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 01:46 PM
|
#14
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 480
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tugboater
I'm planning on drilling a hole on the lever & keep on the inside of each emergency exit. A carabiner will go in each of those.
For the front door I'll use this on the outside:
https://www.masterlock.com/personal-...oduct/M736XKAD
On the inside (when we're living in the bus), I'll just use an old fashion bar that sits in a cradle.
|
The problem we saw with the padlock solution is that someone could lock it from the outside while we are inside. The deadbolts can be locked and unlocked from the inside (levers) or outside (keys) so we will never be locked in. The hasp lock we have on the wheelchair door is only on the outside since we can't exit through that door anyway, since the ramp is still in place.
__________________
Dave
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 02:00 PM
|
#15
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N.C.
Posts: 1,136
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 34
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
PLFking, What is your secret? I would rather break handles than have the drill try and rip my right arm off Where you break a handle I wind up with a sprained wrist instead.....
|
You're the one with the valuable secret. I'd rather sprain my wrist than have to buy another drill.
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 02:34 PM
|
#16
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Palmer, AK
Posts: 279
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf T Liner MVP 11 window 32’
Engine: CAT 3126E
Rated Cap: 72
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ermracing
The problem we saw with the padlock solution is that someone could lock it from the outside while we are inside. The deadbolts can be locked and unlocked from the inside (levers) or outside (keys) so we will never be locked in. The hasp lock we have on the wheelchair door is only on the outside since we can't exit through that door anyway, since the ramp is still in place.
|
I thought of the lock while inside scenario, but figured the chances of that are slim & if it happens I’ll walk out the e door and cut it.
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 06:00 PM
|
#17
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
|
I went this route. While prepping and loading to leave NH, I installed a latch post safety hasp on the swing-out front doors. Not pretty, but it kept undesirables out.
Well, except for me.
I had the key...
Quote:
Originally Posted by ermracing
The problem we saw with the padlock solution is that someone could lock it from the outside while we are inside. The deadbolts can be locked and unlocked from the inside (levers) or outside (keys) so we will never be locked in. The hasp lock we have on the wheelchair door is only on the outside since we can't exit through that door anyway, since the ramp is still in place.
|
Point being, when not otherwise locked shut, I lock the hasp in the open position.
Doubly beneficial: no prankster can lock me in, and I am SO much less likely to misplace the lock!
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
|
|
|
07-23-2019, 05:08 PM
|
#18
|
Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Johnson City TN
Posts: 441
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC/AMTRANS RE
Engine: T444E 7.3 w/ MD3060
Rated Cap: 36000lbs / 78pass / 39'
|
Using pad locks is a bad idea, they only help keep honest people honest. They are far to easy to defeat.
Not to mention it looks horrible.
I too am looking for a good solution to locking the main door.
|
|
|
07-23-2019, 05:14 PM
|
#19
|
Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,094
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
|
I am looking for that less-ghetto-looking solution, as well.
But in the meanwhile, I guess it's done well enough to keep all of the local honest tweaks on their side of the bulkheads...
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
|
|
|
07-24-2019, 06:51 AM
|
#20
|
Skoolie
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Indiana
Posts: 128
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Me
Chassis: 2001 IC
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 72
|
The pad lock is just used to keep the intruder busy for a few minutes while the wife and I fight over who gets to shoot the thief.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|