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  1. J

    Carbon Fiber Cowling

    I would love to hear what you come up with for a layup as I plan on doing the same thing. I am experienced at plug and mold building, vacuum-bagging and have almost always used vinylester resins for my parts. However, my sandwiches were always a trail and error method. I was thinking of using...
  2. J

    cedar strip

    Jerry, I built a pile of wood strip canoes in the late 80s and early 90s. They typically were tested for performance, then were detailed out to become plugs to create female molds. In the end, I was making vacuum-bagged kevlar and S-glass canoes from those molds sometimes with Airex sandwiches...
  3. J

    Bendix King AV8OR

    Has anyone here owned one of these for a while and have a product review they can share? cheers, Jim
  4. J

    Tn. Baby Great Lakes

    We saw a Baby Lakes parked in the camping area at Oshkosh. That looks like a sweet little plane. Might even be on the to do list down the road. You should also check out this site- The Biplane Forum Best of luck with your project. Jim
  5. J

    Newbee? TIG not Gas

    I have to disagree with the need for OxyAcetylene in a TIG welded project. We just finished welding a Skybolt project (our first) and for any heat bending needed, we used Mapp gas. It was enough heat for the job but there wasn't any chance of ovrheating it. We aren't stress relieving anything...
  6. J

    choosing a kit bushplane

    Wow! I had no idea the Patrol was available in kit form. Given the opportunity to pick and choose which parts you would make or buy (as with the Bearhawk and Avipro), I think it would be a great choice. Jim, are you scratch building your patrol? regards, Jim
  7. J

    choosing a kit bushplane

    Hey Windancer, I have a similar background and have made a living with wood for more years than I care to admit. I will tell you that two current ongoing chrome-moly tube steel projects have taught me a great deal about working with metal. I have really enjoyed learning the new skills and have...
  8. J

    Garage with 2 doors???

    I have been in construction 35 years and I have to say there is a pretty thin chance that is the case. I have to agree with LGM and Midniteoyl. Sorry for the news. Jim
  9. J

    Which Router for ribs?

    Yes, the motors are small on laminate trimmers. Yes, they are nice and light. With a sharp cutter and small bites, they should work okay for 1/4" ply. Dull cutter or big cut... no. You'll overheat and kill the poor thing. As for the sub-base, if you can build an airplane, you can make that base...
  10. J

    Which Router for ribs?

    Always go to 1/2" shank if possible. You can find top and bottom bearing flush bits in that size. The bearing diameter will be pretty close to the shank diameter. They are expensive but will last much longer than the same function bit in 1/4" shank. good luck, Jim
  11. J

    Which Router for ribs?

    For small work, don't rule out the laminate trimmers. They are particularly good for trimming 1/16" ply gussets on built-up ribs (made with capstrip). Also router tables can be very useful. I rough-cut aluminum ribs and sandwiched 5 or 6 of them between two pieces of MDF, (one was the desired...
  12. J

    Which Router for ribs?

    Porter Cable is good but as stated, most any will work. If you are going to take a lot of wood at once, use 1/2" shank bits. The 1/4" shank bits will vibrate and die an early death. A 1/2" straight bit with top bearing is expensive but worth it. If possible, rough cut with a band saw, scroll...
  13. J

    Initial Disappointment with EAA

    I have been a member of EAA for as long as I have been building airplanes which is about 2 years. I agree with the last two posts completely. Our 2 closest chapters each have their own separate issues but they will be whatever the members make them. EAA headquarters seems most focused on...
  14. J

    My workbench build! Sorry long and lots-a-pics.

    I needed a metal vise detachable for the same reasons. I bolted it to a piece of 3/4" plywood and clamp it to the corner of the bench. It stayed there except for rare occasions. I have done the same with several other tools that are used only periodically. We had a wood vise bolted to the end of...
  15. J

    choices for epoxy for cowling

    I have a couple of similar projects using carbon fiber cloth and one with a kevlar/carbon weave and the kevlar is dyed red. The other day I made a test piece to see if my layup was going to work for my project. I used resin from a brand new gallon of vinlyester from fiberglast.com. I picked it...
  16. J

    carbon impact on antennas and compass

    Thanks guys. It sounds like I just need to put some thought into antenna location, particularly the ELT in my case. The turtledeck would probably be the largest part in this case. Jim
  17. J

    carbon impact on antennas and compass

    Can someone tell me how much interference will some carbon composite parts affect antenna reception? Also will they mess with a magnetic compass? What I have in mind is parts like wheelpants, floorboards, turtledeck, instrument panel, etc on a rag and tube biplane. cheers, Jim
  18. J

    'Must have' Shop tools

    Ditto on the dremel with those 3/4" (approx) sanding drums and cut-off wheels for when every other tool is too large for the cut needed. Welding magnets make terrible clamps for TIG welding because they bend the arc all over the place. I imagine they would work fine with gas. I very much have a...
  19. J

    'Must have' Shop tools

    The belt/disc combo bench sanders are very useful. We managed to get by with a portable band saw for space reasons. You can also bend 4130 with a cheap map gas torch. Our favorite tool but not absolutely necessary is a mini-lathe. A bigger lathe would be better but we don't have the room...
  20. J

    T-88 pressure

    Not sure where I learned this but 2# is about right. We use 2" round steel by 2" long. Be sure your table is level or the gussets will walk away from where you sdet them. T-88 is quite slippery until it fires off.
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