Remake Bargman L-66 Castings and Pull Up Handle

[tylerbes]

Hey Folks

I have been toying with another idea... I have a very good working Bargman L-66 handle on my camper. They are rather pitted (like everyone elses and I just can't justify the cost of a new set) But I have noticed that alot of you out there have broken handles or very pitted outer door plates. Also alot of folks are missing the pull up handle on the left side of the door... or that is also pitted and in poor condition.

I have been considering bringing my parts to a casting house to reproduce the handles for camper owners. There are a few casting methods that could be used. I am sure it will be costly so I would need to get several made.

I was wondering if there is any interest in this. I feel that $360-$500 for an NOS Bargman latch is rediculous... Especially if you have working internals and just need the castings.

I want to hear from those folks out there that would be interested in this stuff... and see if its worth getting going. Not sure if Chroming would be resonable so I am thinking these would most likely be polished aluminum. The castings will be rough so there will be a fair amount of labor in getting them looking the part.

Would you want:

1) New Outer Lever
and/or
2) New Outer Plate
and/or
3) New Pull Up Handle

Would love th hear your thoughts.... and what you feel would be a resonable price for each. Understand a short run of castings is going to be rather costly.

Thanks
Tyler

[universalexports]

I got thoughts!

I think you are right about chroming, I done some checking into getting my shasta logo re-chromed, and the only place I found that would do it was over $300.00 if I recall correctly.

if you look around you can get a NOS handle for $250.00-$275.00 which is still stupid high, and they are getting harder to find, I scored one for $230.00 I think last year.

I have 1, with a broken handle and bad pitting, of the 3 I have seen the inside parts are not to bad, it's the outside stuff that looks horrible.

not sure how thick the aluminum would need to be, but it will bend instead of break like the pot metal. so if your door is functioning correctly, and the kids dont jerk on it while it is locked, regular thickness might be fine.

I think their is a GREAT market for new Chrome or pollished aluminum Shasta Logos.
you can pollish alluminum to look as good as chrome with some work and TLC.

[boandsusan]

We`d be interested in an outside handle, we only have a 1.5 inches of ours remaining. Geez, I hate monkey metal!

[flyingham]

google search 3d printer. Get ready to have your mind blown. Find the video

[avannoy]

May 3, 2012 7:28:15 GMT -5 universalexports said:

. . . I done some checking into getting my shasta logo re-chromed, and the only place I found that would do it was over $300.00 if I recall correctly.

FYI nu-chrome.com quoted us $140 to rechrome the logo. I thought that was a bit much but apparently there's no other way to "fix" pitting.

[universalexports]

that i half the price I was quoted by 3 different places. I may take them up on it.

[Bow_Tied]

Polished alum would look good. The challenge will be getting a surface finish suitable for polishing from a casting. Possible...

I bought one of the repops for door handle assy. I looks very nice, smooth chrome plating... however, the casting for the outer door plate is not straight. Once installed it is barely noticeable. I mention this to make you aware of a casting challenge which is how the part might warp when it is cooling. Good luck with the project.