Brass double hatch swing latch knob!

[Tigerr]

Not sure if that's the right term. Anyway, we have these hatch closures, with two brass knobs and a swinging bar piece. You unscrew one knob a turn or two to release the bar in order to open the hatch. 

I was removing trousers from the prop in Leicester at the back and I inadvertently rubbed my back against the rear hatch knob until it dropped off with a clunk, and rolled off the gunnel into the depths. 

Brass doesn't work with the magnet. Too deep to dive too at that spot. 

The problem is - I can't find a replacement anywhere. Not made any more apparently. not surprised if they roll into the cut like that tbh.

But then I thought - someone on here might know different, might know where such a thing could be found. It's a bit specialist but somebody out there will know exactly what that knob is, and where to get one! 

Travelling in hope. 

[philjw]

What you are describing sounds like a sash window fastener. Have a Google for them. There are plenty available.

[dmr]

Can we have a photo please? (of whats left or another one assuming you have several).

 

This might well be something that the boat fitter-outer made.

 

If its what I think it is then there will now be a bit of protruding bolt? Can you deduce what thread it is?

[Cheshire cat]

Do you mean like this

If they are what you have lost I can tell you where I got some made

[MtB]

53 minutes ago, philjw said:

What you are describing sounds like a sash window fastener. Have a Google for them. There are plenty available.

 

I just did, and this sort of thing gets returned. Not at all like the OP is describing. 

 

[Ray T]

Try Elle Menzies at Glascote.

Menzies Marine Services (mmarineware.co.uk)

[hider]

Braidbar had these made up for their boats.  I would bet that the knob is an off the shelf item, just find the right thread or ask Braidbar where they got them from.

[David Mack]

I would think these are standard brass doorknobs , so probably M4 thread. You ought to be able to source replacements at B&Q, Screwfix, Toolstation etc. 

If you have lost the locking bar it's not a big job to make another - you can buy suitable bits of brass flat bar on ebay.

[Cheshire cat]

They are actually M10 thread

[Tigerr]

1 hour ago, Cheshire cat said:

Do you mean like this

If they are what you have lost I can tell you where I got some made

That is exactly the thing. 

Please let me know where you had them made.

I had assumed they were standard stuff but they were a special made item for Braidbar, and no longer supplied. 

Either have to find a Braidbar owner with a spare or get them made up seems to be the way. 

 

 

Edited August 27 by Tigerr

[dmr]

I have done something very similar with off the shelf doorknobs from B&Q (I think), but only m6 and a very different shape.

My guess is that these were custom made so its a case of finding a machine shop, or an old bloke with a lathe in his garage, and getting some made.

But do speak to the boat builder first as they just might have some spare.

[Cheshire cat]

2 hours ago, Tigerr said:

That is exactly the thing. 

Please let me know where you had them made.

I had assumed they were standard stuff but they were a special made item for Braidbar, and no longer supplied. 

Either have to find a Braidbar owner with a spare or get them made up seems to be the way. 

 

 

I had them made by Gary at GRS Engineering for my Braidbar It's a  garden shed operation based in Macclesfield.

 

Brass Knobs

 

Gary is a very obliging chap. I found contacting him by Whatsapp effective. He's got a garden full of tooling, cnc cutter, lathes, milling machines etc.

 

The bad news is that the brass they are made from is 1 3/4" diameter and a 3" piece will cost around £20.00. He had to buy a new tool to make mine so I'm sure he will be keen to get some more use for it. If you go ahead you will have to send your remaining one to use for measurements. 

 

In the mean time you can use M10 nuts to secure the doors.

[Tigerr]

44 minutes ago, Cheshire cat said:

I had them made by Gary at GRS Engineering for my Braidbar It's a  garden shed operation based in Macclesfield.

 

Brass Knobs

 

Gary is a very obliging chap. I found contacting him by Whatsapp effective. He's got a garden full of tooling, cnc cutter, lathes, milling machines etc.

 

The bad news is that the brass they are made from is 1 3/4" diameter and a 3" piece will cost around £20.00. He had to buy a new tool to make mine so I'm sure he will be keen to get some more use for it. If you go ahead you will have to send your remaining one to use for measurements. 

 

In the mean time you can use M10 nuts to secure the doors.

Thanks for that I am following up with Gary.

What's really annoying is the original is chromed. That's likely to cost more than the knob itself I fear. 

What is it they say about boats and money? 

Thank you for the steer. 

[hider]

If you don't want brass, get him to turn one, or a pair, in aluminium, much cheaper.

[MtB]

I don't understand the apparent reluctance to ask Braidbar. They probably have boxes full of them in stock if they fit them to every build. 

[DShK]

6 hours ago, Ray T said:

Try Elle Menzies at Glascote.

Menzies Marine Services (mmarineware.co.uk)

Can't recommend Ellie and Jon enough, for sourcing and repairs of this kind of thing. They're currently making me a twisted bar rail for above the back cabin stove 👍

[Tigerr]

Just now, MtB said:

I don't understand the apparent reluctance to ask Braidbar. They probably have boxes full of them in stock if they fit them to every build. 

 Well of course ive asked Braidbar! They no longer do them and the guy that made them isn’t any more. No boxes of spares.

 

1 minute ago, DShK said:

Can't recommend Ellie and Jon enough, for sourcing and repairs of this kind of thing. They're currently making me a twisted bar rail for above the back cabin stove 👍

Thanks, I will give them a call. 
Braidbar stopped doing them, apparently also because, they fall in the cut. Which means there must be Braidbar owners out there with just what I need!

Ideally, like a man whose lost his left shoe, what I need is a man whose lost his right shoe! 

[Cheshire cat]

34 minutes ago, MtB said:

I don't understand the apparent reluctance to ask Braidbar. They probably have boxes full of them in stock if they fit them to every build. 

I asked Braidbar before I got Gary to make some. Braidbar stopped using them some time ago and has changed business owners. The current owners had no stock left and don't know who it was that originally made them.