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  1. Z

    Landing gear

    shaping steel Well I'm moving right along cutting and shaping steel, aluminum and wood. I finally got tired of just cutting and started joining, that is building ribs. I do 1 a day or so and I'm beginning to weld some small assemblies like the locking tailwheel. I have this big sheet...
  2. Z

    tube notchers

    Grissly tube notcher I looked up the operating manual. The smallest tube this can handle is 3/4 inch according to their literature. There's a significant amout of 5/8, 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 inch tubing in airplanes that would not be addressed with this tool. Too bad, because the price looks...
  3. Z

    Lookin' for 'tips'

    A good tip After telling visitors to your home that your building an airplane, tell them you were just kidding. " The fact is, while recuperating from my nervous breakdown, the staff at the institution got us working on projects like this as therapy. I continue today as part of my long...
  4. Z

    Which weld to use

    Yeah sure! First of all, the Acro Sport is a cream puff handling airplane on the ground, so you don't need a locking tailwheel. Those are for the "closely coupled" airplanes. Second of all, the unit I built has a 5/8 diameter 4130 swivel rod with a 3/16 inch notch to catch the locking...
  5. Z

    Which weld to use

    drilling 4130 Yeh, I use all those methods, BUT after 1/2 inch the rules of physics change. I had a hell of a time getting 9/16 then 5/8. Smaller than those was pretty easy. Those are the last of the big holes, I hope. Anyway I got another assembly out of the way; a homemade locking...
  6. Z

    Which weld to use

    4130 welding I coughed up some money for the EAA's video on welding and learned a thing or two. Their approach for beginners is something that could help beginners progress more quickly and inexpensively. Speaking of 4130 I recently read where its not nearly as tough as 4140 or 4150, but is...
  7. Z

    Fuel tank

    I'm in kind of a multi tasking situation. I'm ordering stuff, cutting other stuff, drilling, finishing etc. This includes wood, aluminum and steel. I got all the parts for the tank except the sheet.I need to find flux I ordered the rods and I have no idea when I'll get the glass shades. BUT...
  8. Z

    Fuel tank

    ..oh yeah, I have to get some flux too...and don't forget the $120 special view glass for my goggles. Regular welding #5's won't do. ( Who talked me into this, oh that's right, I did!) I'll be doing some practicining, especially the way bosses are welded in; sort of pinch the edges of the...
  9. Z

    Fuel tank

    I asked, can some of these bosses be welded in ahead of time, before I assemble the pieces for final welding???? Or will the welding distort the sheet where it cannot be assembled correctly???? The outlet boss cannot be drilled or put in before welding because it is at the intersection of...
  10. Z

    Grades of Plywood

    Aircraft grade plywood According to US standards for aircraft plywood, it is only 3 layers regardless of thickness and must withstand boiling water for 24 hours without delaminating. When I'm going for lightness, aircraft mahogany is my choice since its lighter than aircraft birch. With...
  11. Z

    Fuel tank

    Seems to me it will be a lot easier to cut any holes for fitting bosses before starting the welding. Can some of these bosses be welded in while the sheet is still flat or does that distort the skin? I just ordered the material. I'm going to a welding supply to get the rods and flux. I...
  12. Z

    Fuel tank

    Well I kind of figured as a last resort I'd be the one welding. No welders around with real cazzos. I didn't realize I could do it with oxy-acetalene. They recommend .040 thick and recommend testing at 3 1/2 lbs pressure. The tank mount is even cuter than normal; 2 steel tubes 5/8 x .058 go...
  13. Z

    Fuel tank

    Moving right along here. I need to build my fuel tank...my first. It's quite weird because the plane is so small and it's shape takes into account where your rudder pedals will be, etc. It shows a 1/4inch or thereabouts of outside flange and then welded. It states I can make it out of...
  14. Z

    Deuces Wild Takes To The Skies!

    My 2 cents is SU's are a good carburator but no match to throttle body injectors.
  15. Z

    My "Skunkworks" Facility

    Captains work place Captain, it's so new and clean and uncluttered. How can you find anything in there? Whatever I'm looking for is usually under something. So I usually start out by looking under something and, "Voila, there it is!"
  16. Z

    What tools do you use most?

    The disc on my belt disc sander is great for forming aluminum parts. I use a scrap of 1/16 ply for the aluminum to rest on so the shavings and table/rest don't scratch the piece. I use a small drum sander on my drill press for inside curves. What a beautiful and accurate job it does. I also...
  17. Z

    Landing gear

    landing gear bolts Yes, I know the requirements. I raised my concern for tension strenghth of threads. I appreciate the effort of the I struts drawings. There are so few building this airplane anymore there's hardly any information, anymore. I saw a picture of one with aluminum gear and...
  18. Z

    Shops open for business

    A building party. What a great idea...free labor. ...and you simply use the alternate 51% rule; your airplane has been built by 51% of your county's population.
  19. Z

    TIP - Clamping Crossmembers

    Clamping Two words for clamping wood. AIRCRAFT NAILS! :D
  20. Z

    What tools do you use most?

    most helpful tools I have an old Sears jig saw that was made out of stamped sheet metal. It uses these little 3 inch blades and makes as thin a kerf as I've ever seen. I wouldn't part with it or replace it for anything. The up/down jig movement is very little which makes it so accurate...
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