Post by edog1973 on Apr 23, 2014 17:18:43 GMT -8
While we have the trailer all torn apart I want to change some of the windows. I'm removing the long window on the right side and replacing it with two smaller windows, one high and one low, so each back bunk will will have it's own. I'm also replacing the small windows up high on the front with a couple that are larger
I got a screaming deal on a bunch of Jalousie windows from a '67 Bell trailer on Craigslist. The trailer had sat for many years and was completely rotten. Before I could get there the owners found a recycling company to haul it away. I ended up getting ahold the recycling company and they gave me the windows for free. They were just going to trash them anyway. So now I have a bunch of windows but none of them are exactly the right size. Fortunately the sizes can be changed with a little work.
I started with a window that is about 18" x 22" and rebuilt it to 14 1/2" x 31". I make it shorter by removing one slat of glass and wider by using parts from another window. First I disassembled the window by removing the eight screws that held it together.
I used the dremel to cut the the control bar that moves the slats. I then used an 80 tooth blade in the chop saws to cut the side pieces to the correct height. The key is to shorten the side pieces by the amount of exposed glass on each slat with the windows closed. These windows use 4" slats with 1/2" overlap, this leaves 3 1/2" exposed. So, I cut 3 1/2" off of each side. The cuts were made on the top of the side pieces so I did not hit the gear box.
The wide front window I got uses the same top and bottom pieces, but it's much longer. I cut each down to 31" to make the new top and bottom pieces and cut a notch on the cut side with the dremel and drilled the screw holes. Lastly I re-assembled the window using longer glass. The glass is the easy part, you can get it at any glass shop.
I got a screaming deal on a bunch of Jalousie windows from a '67 Bell trailer on Craigslist. The trailer had sat for many years and was completely rotten. Before I could get there the owners found a recycling company to haul it away. I ended up getting ahold the recycling company and they gave me the windows for free. They were just going to trash them anyway. So now I have a bunch of windows but none of them are exactly the right size. Fortunately the sizes can be changed with a little work.
I started with a window that is about 18" x 22" and rebuilt it to 14 1/2" x 31". I make it shorter by removing one slat of glass and wider by using parts from another window. First I disassembled the window by removing the eight screws that held it together.
I used the dremel to cut the the control bar that moves the slats. I then used an 80 tooth blade in the chop saws to cut the side pieces to the correct height. The key is to shorten the side pieces by the amount of exposed glass on each slat with the windows closed. These windows use 4" slats with 1/2" overlap, this leaves 3 1/2" exposed. So, I cut 3 1/2" off of each side. The cuts were made on the top of the side pieces so I did not hit the gear box.
The wide front window I got uses the same top and bottom pieces, but it's much longer. I cut each down to 31" to make the new top and bottom pieces and cut a notch on the cut side with the dremel and drilled the screw holes. Lastly I re-assembled the window using longer glass. The glass is the easy part, you can get it at any glass shop.
