Original Posted By: "Rodger & Betty Childs"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Getting startedRemember when you decided to build a Piet? Remember when you received your plans from Don? Remember when you started searching for info about materials, how much and how long? Did you feel like you were on a small island in the ocean?WELL, you know how I feel at this writing. Steve has been helpful and some of you straightened me out on this matronics business. I need to know the basics. Any suggestions will be appreciated.Isablcorky(at)aol.com (Corky)________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Getting started
Re: Pietenpol-List: Getting started
Original Posted By: "Greg Yotz"
Corky, I started by building ribs first. I laid out the rib pattern on a piece of 3/4" plywood, and then remeasured to make sure that the rib pattern was correct. It's a fairly good go-by but you need to make the measurments anyway to get the spars spaced right. My plans had them spaced a little too far apart. Once you get all that done, put on you guide blocks, order up a bunch of capstrip and some gussett ply material then get to work! You'll think that you'll be cutting the pieces for the ribs for the rest of your life, but go ahead and cut them all out first. What I did was to cut out enough for one complete rib, then made a prototype rib, it was a little off so I adjusted my jig blocks a little then went into production! My friend and almost neighbor Joe Krzes (also on this list) has started his Piet by working on the tail section first, whatever makes you feel most comfortable! The KEY THING is don't get "paralysis by analysis"! Find some part of the project to do that you think you can complete fairly quickly and think on it some, then get to it! Once you finish a piece that you recognize as a Piet-piece you'll be amazed how satisfied you'll feel! But try to do something every day. Also, this isn't one big project but a large collection of little projects, complete one at a time, but think about the next one so you'll be ready to go when you get to it. I try to think that today I'm not building a Piet, I'm building a rib or a fin or rudder. Remember how you eat an elephant, - one bite at a time! Another thing, sleep with your plans! Take any chance at lunch before bed any spare time you have to just wander over the plans, and try to visualize each piece and how you might go about building it, I've gained a lot of insight doing this, and also a generated lot of questions, I'm always discovering stuff on the plans I hadn't seen before! Find a local Piet builder, EAA chapter, anyone to help you, and motivate you. Try to arrange to see a finsihed Piet, maybe even sit in one, better yet fly in one!!! Seeing one up close was an eye-opener for me! Now I know I need to enlarge the cockpit to fit my frame! Last thing and I'll shut up - DO NOT BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES!! You'll make plenty, I've heard it said that by the time you're finished, you'll have done the work to have built two airplanes! You gotta wonder how many goof-ups Burt Rutan has made in his time - probably more than he's had successes! Now, I'll yield the floor to some of the other Piet-builders who have a lot more experience than me, heck I've only got my ribs and vertical tail sections done, I've been on a building break for a few months now, (that happens too...)Good luck on one of your greatest adventures,Gary MeadowsSpring, TX.________________________________________________________________________________
Corky, I started by building ribs first. I laid out the rib pattern on a piece of 3/4" plywood, and then remeasured to make sure that the rib pattern was correct. It's a fairly good go-by but you need to make the measurments anyway to get the spars spaced right. My plans had them spaced a little too far apart. Once you get all that done, put on you guide blocks, order up a bunch of capstrip and some gussett ply material then get to work! You'll think that you'll be cutting the pieces for the ribs for the rest of your life, but go ahead and cut them all out first. What I did was to cut out enough for one complete rib, then made a prototype rib, it was a little off so I adjusted my jig blocks a little then went into production! My friend and almost neighbor Joe Krzes (also on this list) has started his Piet by working on the tail section first, whatever makes you feel most comfortable! The KEY THING is don't get "paralysis by analysis"! Find some part of the project to do that you think you can complete fairly quickly and think on it some, then get to it! Once you finish a piece that you recognize as a Piet-piece you'll be amazed how satisfied you'll feel! But try to do something every day. Also, this isn't one big project but a large collection of little projects, complete one at a time, but think about the next one so you'll be ready to go when you get to it. I try to think that today I'm not building a Piet, I'm building a rib or a fin or rudder. Remember how you eat an elephant, - one bite at a time! Another thing, sleep with your plans! Take any chance at lunch before bed any spare time you have to just wander over the plans, and try to visualize each piece and how you might go about building it, I've gained a lot of insight doing this, and also a generated lot of questions, I'm always discovering stuff on the plans I hadn't seen before! Find a local Piet builder, EAA chapter, anyone to help you, and motivate you. Try to arrange to see a finsihed Piet, maybe even sit in one, better yet fly in one!!! Seeing one up close was an eye-opener for me! Now I know I need to enlarge the cockpit to fit my frame! Last thing and I'll shut up - DO NOT BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES!! You'll make plenty, I've heard it said that by the time you're finished, you'll have done the work to have built two airplanes! You gotta wonder how many goof-ups Burt Rutan has made in his time - probably more than he's had successes! Now, I'll yield the floor to some of the other Piet-builders who have a lot more experience than me, heck I've only got my ribs and vertical tail sections done, I've been on a building break for a few months now, (that happens too...)Good luck on one of your greatest adventures,Gary MeadowsSpring, TX.________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Getting started
Original Posted By: Flite407(at)aol.com
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Getting startedCorky: The thing yo will find most frustrating is that the plans whichlook very good, are NOT. They lack detail and are very vague in places.That is why you need this sight. Ask lots of questions. The plans weredrawn up by a 15 year old kid who did an excellent job. Problem is,after building several Piets. they should have cleaned up and clarifiedthe plans and didn't"t. Nothing major, just do what Rodger and Garysaid. I bought a wood kit from Western AC Sup. in Calgary Canada. Costwas 1600 2 years ago. It will cost more than buying planks and sawingyour self, but if time is short, and you don't have a table saw,jointer,wood plain, it is not that expensive. The pieces were milled to size,needing only trimming to length. He also bundled all related piecestogether and identified them, just like a big model airplane. Wellworth the cost. Western AC has an ad in the Sport Av. classifiedsection. Tail pieces were rabbited to squired shape also. Leon S.---Also from nowhere Kansas, Also single and building a piete in theliveing room. (but not airplane related)________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Getting startedCorky: The thing yo will find most frustrating is that the plans whichlook very good, are NOT. They lack detail and are very vague in places.That is why you need this sight. Ask lots of questions. The plans weredrawn up by a 15 year old kid who did an excellent job. Problem is,after building several Piets. they should have cleaned up and clarifiedthe plans and didn't"t. Nothing major, just do what Rodger and Garysaid. I bought a wood kit from Western AC Sup. in Calgary Canada. Costwas 1600 2 years ago. It will cost more than buying planks and sawingyour self, but if time is short, and you don't have a table saw,jointer,wood plain, it is not that expensive. The pieces were milled to size,needing only trimming to length. He also bundled all related piecestogether and identified them, just like a big model airplane. Wellworth the cost. Western AC has an ad in the Sport Av. classifiedsection. Tail pieces were rabbited to squired shape also. Leon S.---Also from nowhere Kansas, Also single and building a piete in theliveing room. (but not airplane related)________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Getting started
Original Posted By: "bender"
I used Varathane water based Clear Satin Spar Urethane and am happy with it.Forthe hinges I used AN44-14 eye bolts 125,000 psi,don't think they'll ever wearout.--------Building a PietRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Getting started
I used Varathane water based Clear Satin Spar Urethane and am happy with it.Forthe hinges I used AN44-14 eye bolts 125,000 psi,don't think they'll ever wearout.--------Building a PietRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Getting started
Original Posted By: shad bell
Well I just had to tell someone.. after having a new resaw blade made for my antiquebandsaw.. and a couple of new tires.. it roared, well, hummed to life andi got 75 sticks 6 foot long and 1/2 x 1/4 cut out today.. got my jig togethera few days ago.. i feel like i'm about to officially start building..big pileof saw dustJeff :DRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:12:16 -0700 (PDT)
Well I just had to tell someone.. after having a new resaw blade made for my antiquebandsaw.. and a couple of new tires.. it roared, well, hummed to life andi got 75 sticks 6 foot long and 1/2 x 1/4 cut out today.. got my jig togethera few days ago.. i feel like i'm about to officially start building..big pileof saw dustJeff :DRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:12:16 -0700 (PDT)
Re: Pietenpol-List: Getting started
Original Posted By: helspersew(at)aol.com
What is the correct grain orientation for capstrip?--------JohnRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Getting startedDate: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:59:06 -0400
What is the correct grain orientation for capstrip?--------JohnRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Getting startedDate: Tue, 26 Oct 2010 07:59:06 -0400
Pietenpol-List: Re: Getting started
Original Posted By: "bender"
the 5/4 i picked up was western red cedar.. i decided to use it after seeing thatothers had also and looking at tons of wood info. it was a full 5/4 and perfectlystraight grain.. about 25-30 rings per inch.. it's beautiful wood.I found 5/4 douglas fir and poplar also. I plan to use locally bought wood andspruce doesn't exist in KY as far as i can tell... I'm an A&P/IA and know thatspruce is the norm.... but i'm comfortable with picking through the lumberyardfor the right stuff for me.JeffRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Getting started
the 5/4 i picked up was western red cedar.. i decided to use it after seeing thatothers had also and looking at tons of wood info. it was a full 5/4 and perfectlystraight grain.. about 25-30 rings per inch.. it's beautiful wood.I found 5/4 douglas fir and poplar also. I plan to use locally bought wood andspruce doesn't exist in KY as far as i can tell... I'm an A&P/IA and know thatspruce is the norm.... but i'm comfortable with picking through the lumberyardfor the right stuff for me.JeffRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Getting started
Pietenpol-List: Re: Doin' Some Ribs
Original Posted By: "Clayton Harper"
thanks.... the last time i built a plane it took about 16 months... and there were4 wings.. but only one seat..... i'm hoping brodhead will be sooner than later..callme crazy but next year could happen.... not that i'm rushingjeffRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Doin' Some Ribs
thanks.... the last time i built a plane it took about 16 months... and there were4 wings.. but only one seat..... i'm hoping brodhead will be sooner than later..callme crazy but next year could happen.... not that i'm rushingjeffRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Doin' Some Ribs