The past days or a week have been taking a lot of time on another personal family matter, lots of calls and emails and and texts, and coordinating with multiple persons, offices and agencies. No, everything is okay. But I haven't been able to spend a lot of time in the shop.
Even so, I've been getting SOME diversion time spent there, and some days more than others. Like yesterday for example. I finished up the aluminum polishing!
This last chore was the 16 (4 around each glass pane) small aluminum channels for the big dinette window. And over several days prior to that was doing the larger window frame itself. This is how those parts are looking.
So now I have two table tops of window parts, in various sets of assembly.
And the other day, as I had previously mentioned, the rubber gasket small U-shape channel came to the house. Rut Roh! Wrong stuff.
This is an example of how you can lead some people, who may not be absolutely certain of their own ability to read a ruler, as I suppose I did to the sales help the day we verified measurements over the phone. I guess I can understand that - first of all, we all have various levels of self-confidence, and secondly, not all of us have had the life experiences to read those small rule fractions as much as others.
I'll send both products back to Vintage Trailer Supply, ask them if they could please add a dimension that indicates the glass pane thickness these gaskets are meant to be used on - for the next guy. In the previous case, it was for a 1/8" pane. On this small u-gasket, it is for less than 1/8". Had I known that for a certainty, I could have avoided the roughly $10 shipping charges both times, and now a $10 return shipping charge as I'll put them in one box.
The next VTS order should arrive soon, the 8' PVC tube of exterior aluminum trim molding. That stuff has been described (by VTS sales help) to be "very bendable" (for my rounded roof lines). We'll keep a good thought. :)
Now I still have to do some aluminum polishing for the framework around the entry door. But other than that, I think I'm done with the refurbishing of the old aluminum. I hope. That buffing wheel stuff is MESSY!
Now what to do about the gasket? Well, I think my original gaskets are in good enough condition to re-use on the dinette window (with the exception of one area I still need to evaluate in detail) and on the galley windows. The small windows are already done up with the little silicon in the corners. I'll do the same on these bigger windows.
The fixed glass windows will require another treatment. I'm working with a local glass shop for ideas. VTS does have some clear vinyl u-style gasket for 3/16" panes, but at some point it is counter-productive to keep trying out products long-distance. Yes - I'm aware of buying their little gasket sample pack. I haven't completely discounted that idea, but I'm exploring this other side-road first.
