Rebuilding/refurbishing the hood frame

[mickyawillis]

Evening all. Used to be a member some time ago, but other things got in the way of my Stag (owned since 1999) including a sailing yacht and a campervan.
But during these times, I cant use either of them, so turning attention to the Stag and some much needed TLC, mainly around the soft top and frame.
In 2 weeks, I am being furloughed from work for 3-4 weeks, so a good time to do whats needed on the hood and frame, but looking for some guidance please?
The old hood has been removed and now I'm working on getting the frame right. The header rail has been bodged at some stage, so have now re-made the pivot plates and welded them back into position. What I cant find is a replacement for the rivets (RF2814) and they seem to be NLA? What can I use instead? Have seen suggestions of using flat head coach screws in M8 size and square nuts? Would that work? Is it better to use mild steel or stainless if I can get them? Or what else can you recommend?
Secondly at the rear of the header rail is what I would term a crash pad or bumper? The old one is a semi circular shape made of what looks like cork? Again, what can be used to replace this with? I'm thinking high density foam, but where can I get that from? Also, should the top edge of the header rail be covered with a foam material as well? to give a better finish to the outer edge of the new soft cop material?
Thanks in advance!

[StagJonno]

Welcome back - you'll soon realise what you've been missing.

Chris Spain would be a good person to speak with as he is extremely familiar with them and may carry spares. He runs Stagweber so you can contact him there. He also posts on Facebook - check out Stagweber Support & Discussion. He does hoods as part of his business but will always give pointers to folk doing their own hoods.

Jonno

[Richard G]

Welcome back - you'll soon realise what you've been missing.

Chris Spain would be a good person to speak with as he is extremely familiar with them and may carry spares. He runs Stagweber so you can contact him there. He also posts on Facebook - check out Stagweber Support & Discussion. He does hoods as part of his business but will always give pointers to folk doing their own hoods.

Jonno

I have just had a complete exchange hood from Chris Spain, it is 100 percent rebuilt and mohair cover, its really good worth the price . Took a while to fit and adjust and I replaced the cover release cables while I was in there.

[new to this]

Evening all. Used to be a member some time ago, but other things got in the way of my Stag (owned since 1999) including a sailing yacht and a campervan.
But during these times, I cant use either of them, so turning attention to the Stag and some much needed TLC, mainly around the soft top and frame.
In 2 weeks, I am being furloughed from work for 3-4 weeks, so a good time to do whats needed on the hood and frame, but looking for some guidance please?
The old hood has been removed and now I'm working on getting the frame right. The header rail has been bodged at some stage, so have now re-made the pivot plates and welded them back into position. What I cant find is a replacement for the rivets (RF2814) and they seem to be NLA? What can I use instead? Have seen suggestions of using flat head coach screws in M8 size and square nuts? Would that work? Is it better to use mild steel or stainless if I can get them? Or what else can you recommend?
Secondly at the rear of the header rail is what I would term a crash pad or bumper? The old one is a semi circular shape made of what looks like cork? Again, what can be used to replace this with? I'm thinking high density foam, but where can I get that from? Also, should the top edge of the header rail be covered with a foam material as well? to give a better finish to the outer edge of the new soft cop material?
Thanks in advance!

Yes you could use a flat headed coach bolt id use mild steel in replacement of the rivet
you can get high density foam on ebay,you could also cut up some pipe lagging that will give you some shape

Dave

[Phil S]

happy to turn you up some rivets if you let me know what you need

[DJT]

Welcome back. There are a few articles on soft tops in the Technical Section.

[mickyawillis]

happy to turn you up some rivets if you let me know what you need

Thank you Phil S I appreciate the offer! If I cant find a suitable substiture, I'll get back to you. I mamnaged to drill out the old rivet so have the dimensions from that.

[mickyawillis]

Welcome back. There are a few articles on soft tops in the Technical Section.

Have read those, thank you, very useful.

[mickyawillis]

Yes you could use a flat headed coach bolt id use mild steel in replacement of the rivet
you can get high density foam on ebay,you could also cut up some pipe lagging that will give you some shape

Dave

Thanks Dave, will try this first, if not have had kind offer to turn up some of the proper rivets.

[mickyawillis]

Welcome back - you'll soon realise what you've been missing.

Chris Spain would be a good person to speak with as he is extremely familiar with them and may carry spares. He runs Stagweber so you can contact him there. He also posts on Facebook - check out Stagweber Support & Discussion. He does hoods as part of his business but will always give pointers to folk doing their own hoods.

Jonno

Jonno, yes I know Chris, he lives fairly local to me (about 15mins away) and I have bought my replacement hood from him. Have also been recommended to speak to Jim at SE Trimming, but haven't had chance to call him yet (still working Mon-Fri!)

[mickyawillis]

So for the rivets, I'm going for 5/16 clevis pins with dome covered starlock washers to retain into place.
The foam crash pad has been more difficult to source, but have come up with this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Foam-EPDM-Sponge-Extrusion-D-Shape-Half-Round-25-x-14mm-1m-EXT14/402220235709?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Havent received it yet, so hope it has enough flex to replicate the old pad. Will post back when it arrives!

[new to this]

So for the rivets, I'm going for 5/16 clevis pins with dome covered starlock washers to retain into place.
The foam crash pad has been more difficult to source, but have come up with this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Foam-EPDM-Sponge-Extrusion-D-Shape-Half-Round-25-x-14mm-1m-EXT14/402220235709?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

Havent received it yet, so hope it has enough flex to replicate the old pad. Will post back when it arrives!

Its a good idea about the clevis pin,but not to sure about the starlock washer,as it can take a bit of false to close the front rail,

Dave