Researching the installation of Dzus or 1/4 turn fasteners to replace the stock hold downs on my 32 Vicky. Anyone have some details with pics, measurements and what they used ? Picture of a Rolling Bones car for example.
These are from Full Bore Race Products but they are no longer in business. They use a hex wrench instead a slot screwdriver. Speedway has some that are about the same.
Socal sell a neat kit. The fasteners have the aforementioned hex head and come chromed. Decide on the desired location, drill, dimple ( easy to make tool if you have a lathe), bend mounting tabs as necessary to mount to firewall and grille shell, mount tabs ( I used bolts and nuts). In my case I had the mounting tabs chromed. All looks neat and works great. Chris
My ‘32 has used this style of Dzus fasteners since at least the mid ‘60’s to hold its aluminum hood top on. Over the decades, I have come across three different head variations to replace lost ones. The original one says Dzus on it.
Aircraft Spruce is a general aviation supplier. If you go to thier website and do a search for “Dzus” https://www.aircraftspruce.com/search/search.php?s='dzus' it will show numerous styles and if you click on the style you like it will give dimensions. They are very good people to deal with. They are also a great source for rivets, latches, etc. used on aircraft but also great for hot rods.
Thanks and I have been looking on their website as well. I spent 37 years as an aircraft mechanic and had access to them but that was before I needed them
Thanks to all who replied. I will probably use the slotted head variety as the hex look to modern. This will be a spring project as I am still working on the tank relocate.
A few years ago I had to replenish my supply. I used AA-MFG.com. They had better prices that the others I had used. There are many suppliers out there, though. These are flush mount that I use a simple tool to dimple the panel for. If you do some research you will see there are different lengths of ****ons and springs. Depending on what gauge of sheet metal you are using, you may need long or short.
The correct tool for a Dzus fastener is not a screw driver. Although, you could modify one to work well. The tool needs a rounded end to properly engage the fasteneer. Also, the fasteners do tend to chip the paint around the opening. However, we had the hood on and off the car a lot to do engine maintenance and inspect things after races. All the panels on my race cars were held on with Dzus fasteners.
The Dzus story is pretty interesting, goes way back, it is no longer run by the founders grandson Ted Dzus. This general Google search has numerous articles https://www.google.com/search?clien...Hcx2CyAQtKgLegQICxAB&biw=1280&bih=587&dpr=1.5
Check out Skybolt fasteners. They are adjustable for various thicknesses and work most excellent. The airplanes at our flying club are equipped with the Dzus. The club Supercub had them and they are always a fight on that airplane. We built a 4 seater Bearhawk and used the Skybolts becouse they had more flexibility for material thickness. They work so much nicer with less fussing to lock and unlock. They can look as traditional as Dzus if you want. We set one up with all the thicknesses to learn where to set them then they all were set up the same then installed. Once they were set they worked flawlessly with no further adjustments. PS. Aircraft Spruce now carry some of the Skybolts. You can refer to the Skybolt site for the fine details.
Probably not all that traditional looking but I used these in a couple applications. Convenient, no tool required and saves on scratched paint from opening tool slips.
I used some of the "mickey mouse ear" style Dzus ****ons when they first came out, they tend to break off after a while.
.450 large diameter the small ones the spring isnt as robust so they don't hold as well. Mopac had a good selection of that stuff Davis
Aviation .. many shapes and styles. Best to use Slotted or winged . The Spring "S" set up & Depth is critical To far away hard to Lock & will snap off the wing style ,,, & if to loose will unlock .. there a tool to adjust the Depth Raise or lower the "S" spring . Can be made easily. The Hex or Torque heads to me Not good , I see many modern outside of notch and wing @ track There's been times when emergency happens and nobody has the tool to unlatch .. There are push ****on style. Nice, Not cheap for Good Quality made one's though
When I was in the navy I was stationed on an air base and we all carried what is pictured in post 11 in a holder on our belt. I don't know if there is an official name for it but we called them "Dzus Keys".
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