WANTED--Clean or Rusty--Cargo Hatch Key.

[ajoxton]

WANTED--Clean or Rusty--Cargo Hatch Key. For the belly boxes and engine room doors of The Cat Drag'd Inn. 3.5 to 4.5 inches long, 3/8" square shank at its widest part. See the picture. What I'm really after is one with a longer oval offset handle, the opening large enough to get 3-4 fingers into. Even some information as to what this item is properly called so I might more effectively search would be helpful. Reward!

[Robin97396]

I think you'll find that a 1/4" ratchet drive will fit the hole, or they do make a standard 1/4" drive screwdriver thingy that opens those very well. Or did you want specifically the key? Sorry if that's your intent and I'm preaching to the quire.

[crazycal]

Just get some 3/8 stock and weld it up into a T. You can probably find some at home depot.

[ajoxton]

Thank you all for the ideas and links. I've been using a length of 3/8" key stock and will keep that one for a spare spare. The phrase "loft hatch key" was the key. Many of them were only 1/4" and I need 3/8. Finally found one that is 10mm. That will do fine. Thanks again!

--ajo

[Robin97396]

It's after the fact now, but incidentally the original key you have in the pic looks very much like the key used to turn off the natural gas line, in my case, on a natural gas fireplace insert. Could be you'd find a cutesy just right key in the gas heating section.