L42 Transit Chest ?

[rgg_7]

Looking for the following info. Type of plywood used? Marine grade? Speciies? Mahogany? Birch? etc? Same for the wood blocking?

Any body got a damaged chest they want to dispose of?

Thanks

Ron

Information

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[skiprat]

Main body is 1/2 inch Birch ply (12mm) the internals and the external batons are knotless pine,
The IWS housing is 3/4 ply with pine blocks and a Beech latch to keep it in place.

[rgg_7]

Did a search of this site last evening. See Peter Laidler responded to a similar question a couple years ago. He stated that the plywood was " marine grade distributed by Remploy or it's successor Papworth". No info on the species. Appreciate your info and any other that's provided. Ron

[Seaforth72]

If planning on making a replica chest, I suggest asking if a real one is near you that you could examine, measure and photograph. I suggest posting your town and province/state and country as the easiest way to get L42A1 chest owners to reveal themselves to you.

[tr63]

Where can you get the hinges and the latches to come close to making the repro look right ?

[skiprat]

The catches are still stocked by Protex ( they have a web site).
I make my own hinges, made from 2 different size strap hinges, and the corner protectors I make from scratch, but I am thinking of getting a large batch laser cut and folded.
I was wondering if it would be worth my time selling hardware kits for these boxes, latches, catches, hinges, corner protectors, handle plates and all the webbing straps.?

[Peter Laidler]

It is worthwhile Skippy. The problem is, like most things in the small arms business, that most buyers lack a sense of mathematical common sense. And expect a price that sees you out of pocket............... They call it the Yorkshire battle cry '...........'ow much........'?

[skiprat]

Thanks Peter...
When I try to price up the parts and then what I have sold the chests for in the past it's not worth my time ( even on minimum wage!!!)
I must do it for the love of it!!!
But I do have a tame engineer with a laser cutter that will cut me some profiles for less than I can buy the steel plate.
I've just had a large number of No5/7 bayonet cross pieces cut, as it would have only cost only a little less to cut a couple that I needed
I just need him to work out a price to do No15 / Bren latches......