Camlocks vs hinges

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:49 am

Can someone fill me in on the benefits of using camlocks instead of hinges on the cowling if there are any? Personally I prefer the clean look of the hinges but have not looked into the advantages of the camlocks so thought I would ask. I know some complain that the hinges are difficult to insert. Other issues?

Thanks,

Womack2005 · Post by **Womack2005** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 10:57 am

IMHO, the hinges suck. On the two 6As I have worked on, they were a major pain in the butt. Turns a simple oil change into a 3 hour bummer.

Now my experience is limited to just two airplanes with the hinges. YMMV.

However, I have worked on LOTS of airplanes with camlocks, and they rock

. Easy on, easy off.

I am definately planning on camlocks for my aircraft. I was very tempted to get in on the group buy on VAF, but it is just too early yet.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:06 pm

I am thinking of getting the partial kit.

I am thinking the hinges on the lower cowling would be a slick package.

CJ

4kilo · Post by **4kilo** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 10:15 pm

I got into the camlock buy for a firewall only kit. I'm not sure how the 7 is, but nearly everyone I have talked to has had to replace the hinges attaching the lower cowl to the firewall on their 8. The hinges holding the upper cowl to the firewall seem to hold up a little better, and no one I talked to had a problem with the hinges holding upper to lower.

Pat

N200PF · Post by **N200PF** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:16 am

John -

The -6 I fly today has the camlocks and they are VERY easy to get on and off especially solo! However, I'm not sure they're THAT much easier than the hinges if it's a plane you know and pull the cowl regularly.

Also, I lost one of the camlocks out of the cowl last week when I had it off (didn't realize it until I was putting it back on) and I couldn't find it to save my life. It grounded me until I could get a replacement camlock. (I bought 3!)

If I compare the camlocks on the -6 to the hinges on mt buddies -7A here's what I would say: He takes a little longer to get the cowls together but less time to take them apart. He knows HIS plane and how to get the pins in quickly. I tried to help him one day and couldn't get the pins in to save my life!

Over all the hinge system is clean, simple and light. I think if you know your plane and your cowl the time and trouble advantage would be minimal. ...and I don't like the fact that I have to carry spare camlocks to feel comfortable now.

...my $.02!

- Peter

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:31 am

Hey guys,

I was just thinking...

If one were to install the firewall kit and use hinge material along the top/bottom halves and for the lower cowl, it would probably be easy to use and the least costly.

My reason for using the camlocks is primarity for areas that would require the hinge pin to bend the most (along the firewall).

Anywhooooo, my QUESTION is:

Do you think installing ONE camlock on the lower cowl on each side would facilitate an easier installation of the hinge pin?

It would work like this, Position lower cowl, Click one cam, Click the other cam... now it's "locked into position". Once there, it would be a one man job to feed the hinge pins into the eyes. Then the top cowl could be just "cammed" on and the hinge pins along the top/bottom seam slipped in.

Is this reasonable?

CJ

bmurrish · Post by **bmurrish** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:50 am

The only disadvantage I see with the camlocks are the $$$. They are pretty pricey.

tshort · Post by **tshort** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:22 pm

I think the camlocks may also be better when used with a plenum - I have heard that with a pressure cowl you sometimes get bulging between the camlocks due to air pressure in the cowl ... ?

I got a full set of the camlocks with the last group buy but have yet to decide exactly how I'll use them.

T.

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:18 pm

Thanks for the replies. I think I will just stick with the hinges at this point. I do plan on using a plenum but it sounds like the hinges work okay and I like the clean lines you get with them.

RVNewsletter · Post by **RVNewsletter** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:43 am

I'm kicking around getting in on this latest group buy, but I can't find a real good source of information on camlocks and their use on the cowl. A few grainy images here and there; that's it.

So, on a typical installation, how many camlocks would be required?

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:33 pm

I started with hinges all the way except for the bottom of the lower cowl sectionh where the lower cowl attaches to the bottom of the fuselage. I used #8 screws and plate nuts there. I riveted .063 alum to the bottom of the fuselage where you are supposed to install the hinge half. Then I went with hinge pins for the upper cowl to the fuselage. I used hinges on the sides of the lower cowl where it attaches to the fuselage and I can easily install and remove the lower cowl that way. The #8 screws are the last thing I install. The side hinge pins are a real blessing when comes to installing and removing the lower cowl by yourself. I started out use the hinges along each side of the joing of the upper and lower cowl but I screwed it up. I then went to cam locks but should have gotten the flush ones. I used eleven on each side of my upper & lower cowl on an RV-6A. You can buy some knock-off flush mount cam locks pretty cheap but the actual camlocks cost about $4.00 each. I like the camlocks and don't think I would change that and they could be used on the bottom of the lower cowl also. I would not use them on the sides of the lower cowl.

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