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Rowdy70
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2010
Posts: 91
Location: Wa. State
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 Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 3:32 pm Post subject: DZUS fastener install and alignment tips... |
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Well I know a million of ya already done this. But I hadn't yet. No tips that I could find....
so, if your alone and dont have anyone else to hold things in place, this might work for ya.
I took 1 fastener, and took it apart, so I could flip it and have the flat spot for the template.
hold it where ya want it and mark the rivet holes. Ignore the center mark, it aint needed.
after you drill the rivet holes, I rivet the one I took apart on upside down.
then I drilled right through the whole thing, back included with a bigger bit (whatever size your fastener is). This got me on center for all 6 of em, and I didn't have to have anyone hold things...
see? it lines up perfect by using an extra fastener as a guide
on the inner part, mark the holes for the spring backs and drill.
rivet the spring on (from the back of course)
drill out the up-side down fastener rivets, and remove it. the holes are now there a lined up for the good one.
i drill the fiberglass (outer) part out 2 bit sizes bigger, and then bevel it with a roundfile. this allows the fastener to seat totally flat.
install a good fastener in the part for good and they are perfectly aligned every time.
and there ya have it.
I know this was a simple task, but it took me a bit of fighting things before i figured this out.
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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Good idea! You can avoid installing and removing the two pop rivets if you use a pair of Clecos instead, like the aircraft folks do.
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kyle_pc_75
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Joined: November 26, 2008
Posts: 511
Location: Park City, UT, USA
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| Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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You should start a build thread. You're doing some great work.
Kyle |
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xirxious
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2007
Posts: 665
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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| I think I did it in reverse. I drilled a large hole, set the cup portion in and held it with duct tape, then used that to drill the smaller holes. Mosy people use a large screwdriver or a quarter, but Jegs has the Dzus wrenches for $3 that fit the large & small. I use these things everywhere, cars, garage panels, heating ducts, screen windows.... |
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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Another style I really like is the Allen head. No possibility of tool slippage scratching the panel and it's a bit more theft-resistant.
http://www.fullborerace.com/superbutton.html |
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Odyknuck
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Joined: December 12, 2004
Posts: 412
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:59 am Post subject: |
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I like those. I just wonder how well the wrench would work on really tight panels without snapping the end off. I have the spring loaded slotted style and some of mine are tough to turn.
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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| If they're tough to turn it probably means that the Dzus fastener is too short and isn't engaging the spring fully before you twist it. |
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Odyknuck
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Joined: December 12, 2004
Posts: 412
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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They are not to short, I have them set up tight to reduce panel vibration.
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Odyknuck wrote: |
| They are not to short, I have them set up tight to reduce panel vibration. |
Dsus fasteners aren't made to take up slack. It's expected that the application will have both sides of the joint come hard together and then deflect the spring the designed amount. If you need more tension in a Dzus fastener you can go to a larger diameter fastener and spring.
Here's a good application chart showing the various sizes of studs and springs and how to specify them for various grip thicknesses:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pdf/studandspringselection.pdf
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/dzus.php |
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Odyknuck
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Joined: December 12, 2004
Posts: 412
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:41 am Post subject: |
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The spring bracket and the back of the panel do come together. I have them set up so that I push the panel up against the bracket in some spots.
This keeps the panel tight against the frame. The front hood panels have a twist in them that also makes it harder to turn the fastners without pushing down on the panels. I like that they are tight.
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EMPIImp69
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Joined: April 17, 2006
Posts: 3389
Location: Dirty Jersey
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| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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Where do you guys buy just the Dzus screws? I need ones that are .400" thick and .680" long, thanks.
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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az350x
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Joined: August 20, 2005
Posts: 232
Location: Mesa, Arizona, USA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:48 am Post subject: |
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Many may not realize that part of the "slippage" problem with the straight-slot Dzus' is that they're not designed to be used with a standard screwdriver. There's actually a special tool for them that makes them much easier to use and less prone to "slippage." I know Snap-On sells this driver- I'm sure there are others also that aren't charging by the gold standard...
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 1:24 pm Post subject: |
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| az350x wrote: |
Many may not realize that part of the "slippage" problem with the straight-slot Dzus' is that they're not designed to be used with a standard screwdriver. There's actually a special tool for them that makes them much easier to use and less prone to "slippage." I know Snap-On sells this driver- I'm sure there are others also that aren't charging by the gold standard... |
I've never had an issue with using a big screwdriver. The proper "tool" can be fabricated in about a minute from a fender washer if you have a grinder or Dremel tool
The Allen head ones are cool, but make sure you have the proper tool when you need it! |
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aircooled356
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Joined: October 27, 2006
Posts: 500
Location: Yosemite, CA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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The tool has a slang name that we used in the military......on aircraft, missiles and nukes. Snoopy tool! Imagine that. Actually, the designer of the DZUS fastener and tool was none other than Howard Hughes and he made a fortune selling fasteners and tools to the military. Rivets created turbulence in airflow so a need for a more streamlined fastener was essential for reduced drag.  |
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GeorgeL
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Joined: January 16, 2006
Posts: 7346
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| Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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| aircooled356 wrote: |
| Actually, the designer of the DZUS fastener and tool was none other than Howard Hughes... |
I have a feeling that William Dzus might have taken issue with that statement if he were around. Dzus was making his fasteners in 1933, while Howard Hughes was in Hollywood spending Daddy's drilling tool fortune on starlets. |
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chubby53
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Joined: February 17, 2005
Posts: 2106
Location: Eugene, Oregon
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carlos_magnum
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Joined: April 21, 2009
Posts: 591
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| Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2010 12:40 am Post subject: |
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| Nice job, rowdy. I like the step-by-step process. |
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EMPIImp69
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Joined: April 17, 2006
Posts: 3389
Location: Dirty Jersey
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