Original Posted By: "Ed Grentzer"
I've started building the Bethel Belle (jigging the workbench actually). I havenoticed a discrepancy in the side truss widths I've received from AS&S vs. theplans. The plans call for 1"x7/8" for many of the trusses. The ones I receivedfrom AS&S are 1"x3/4" (based on their "Modernized Pietenpol spruce kit).I assume the world hasn't ended and someone's dealt with this before. Any wordsof wisdom?Also, the empanage wood (which appear to be the correct widths according to theAS&S list) I would guess needs to be routed vs. capstrip along the leading edges(nope haven't looked in the other box yet).Thanks,StacyThere is only one greater thing than to believe in the impossible...and that isto achieve it -- Stacy Clark________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and Empanage
Re: Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and Empanage
Original Posted By: "Catdesign"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and EmpanageThe longerons and many of the braces in the fuselage trusses are 1" sq. accordingto the plans. I've heard of people using as small as 3/4" sq. though. I personallyused 1" X 7/8" since I had to plane my boards. The empenage can bebuilt up using cap strip on the leading edges or routing as you mention. I builtup my horiz. stab but then used a dado blade in the table saw for much ofthe other tail section.Either way works.Tom B.________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and EmpanageThe longerons and many of the braces in the fuselage trusses are 1" sq. accordingto the plans. I've heard of people using as small as 3/4" sq. though. I personallyused 1" X 7/8" since I had to plane my boards. The empenage can bebuilt up using cap strip on the leading edges or routing as you mention. I builtup my horiz. stab but then used a dado blade in the table saw for much ofthe other tail section.Either way works.Tom B.________________________________________________________________________________
Re: Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and Empanage
Original Posted By: Stacy Clark
StacyReading the 1-19-33 Pietenpol plans the struts and braces #1, #7 to #14 are 3/4"x 1" (Basically the back half of the fuselage) and #2 to #6 are 7/8" x 1" (Seenote on Drawing 1). Looking at the GN-1 plans (what a lot of people callthe Modernized Pietenpol, when they should just refer to it as the GN-1), thestruts are listed as 1"x1" forward of the back seat and 3/4"x1" from there back.Are you sure you don't have enough of the larger size? Try looking for extra1"x1" stock. Not sure where Aircraft Spruce got their cut list for the PietenpolAir Camper, but it should be at least similar to the GN-1 kit they havebeen selling for years. Hopefully you don't have a kit for the GN-1 because theyare slightly different. You did remember to order some extra wood didn'tyou? I didn't and boy was it a bummer to have to pay shipping on a 7 foot pieceof wood.The tail pieces can be routed or capstriped. I found the tips to be easier tobuild by using capstrips and the leading and trailing edges by router method.Chris TracySacramento, CA ----- Original Message -----
StacyReading the 1-19-33 Pietenpol plans the struts and braces #1, #7 to #14 are 3/4"x 1" (Basically the back half of the fuselage) and #2 to #6 are 7/8" x 1" (Seenote on Drawing 1). Looking at the GN-1 plans (what a lot of people callthe Modernized Pietenpol, when they should just refer to it as the GN-1), thestruts are listed as 1"x1" forward of the back seat and 3/4"x1" from there back.Are you sure you don't have enough of the larger size? Try looking for extra1"x1" stock. Not sure where Aircraft Spruce got their cut list for the PietenpolAir Camper, but it should be at least similar to the GN-1 kit they havebeen selling for years. Hopefully you don't have a kit for the GN-1 because theyare slightly different. You did remember to order some extra wood didn'tyou? I didn't and boy was it a bummer to have to pay shipping on a 7 foot pieceof wood.The tail pieces can be routed or capstriped. I found the tips to be easier tobuild by using capstrips and the leading and trailing edges by router method.Chris TracySacramento, CA ----- Original Message -----
Re: Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and Empanage
Original Posted By: "Richard Navratil"
Thanks Tom. Dado blade...good idea! I think I'll go that route as my tablesaw is on the way up here now. Just finished jigging the entire workbenchtoday. I was able to fit all the jigs on two 4'x8''s. Not that I plannedit that way mind you, I just lucked out.Another question about the empennage (for everyone): Do the gussets go allthe way to the outer edge as the plans "actually" show and then rounded outto match the leading and trailing edges - or - do they tuck behind thepre-routed edges? I can envision reasons for both ways (cosmetic vs. morearea glued).StacyThere is only one greater thing than to believe in the impossible...and thatis to achieve it -- Stacy Clark________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks Tom. Dado blade...good idea! I think I'll go that route as my tablesaw is on the way up here now. Just finished jigging the entire workbenchtoday. I was able to fit all the jigs on two 4'x8''s. Not that I plannedit that way mind you, I just lucked out.Another question about the empennage (for everyone): Do the gussets go allthe way to the outer edge as the plans "actually" show and then rounded outto match the leading and trailing edges - or - do they tuck behind thepre-routed edges? I can envision reasons for both ways (cosmetic vs. morearea glued).StacyThere is only one greater thing than to believe in the impossible...and thatis to achieve it -- Stacy Clark________________________________________________________________________________
Re: Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and Empanage
Original Posted By: Clif Dawson
Chris,I haven't checked all the wood yet, been getting set up on the workbench. I dohave all of AS&S's lists for the GN-1, Modernized, and standard Piet. Theirinvoice shows MOD PIETENPOL. It would be nice if I did have enough to plane some7/8" but I highly doubt it. I talked with one of the A&P's that I share thehanger with and his best guess is that 3/4" vs 7/8" wouldn't make a big difference...thoughI'd certainly be more comfortable with the sides as per plans(I'll be using an A65). Yes I did order some extra wood but more along the linesof what Mike Cuy did to his Piet (higher turtle deck and rounded bottom).BTW, I controlled at SAC Exec (as well as SQL and SJC) before going "North to Alaska."Home's actually Manteca when I'm not up here "herding cats" (bush pilots):-)StacyThe Bethel Belle ProjectBethel, AlaskaThere is only one greater thing than to believe in the impossible...and that isto achieve it -- Stacy Clark________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 00:41:55 -0700
Chris,I haven't checked all the wood yet, been getting set up on the workbench. I dohave all of AS&S's lists for the GN-1, Modernized, and standard Piet. Theirinvoice shows MOD PIETENPOL. It would be nice if I did have enough to plane some7/8" but I highly doubt it. I talked with one of the A&P's that I share thehanger with and his best guess is that 3/4" vs 7/8" wouldn't make a big difference...thoughI'd certainly be more comfortable with the sides as per plans(I'll be using an A65). Yes I did order some extra wood but more along the linesof what Mike Cuy did to his Piet (higher turtle deck and rounded bottom).BTW, I controlled at SAC Exec (as well as SQL and SJC) before going "North to Alaska."Home's actually Manteca when I'm not up here "herding cats" (bush pilots):-)StacyThe Bethel Belle ProjectBethel, AlaskaThere is only one greater thing than to believe in the impossible...and that isto achieve it -- Stacy Clark________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 00:41:55 -0700
Re: Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and Empanage
Original Posted By: "Stacy Clark"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and EmpanageStacey,For what it's worth, the dado blade method is a bit tricky when you come to theend of the piece you're cutting. If you're taking off 3/4" for instance, youhave 3/4" of dado blade exposed and only raised out of your table about 3/16"inch at the top of the blade arc. That leaves a big opening for the end of thepiece to be pushed into with your push-stick (don't ask how I know). If youhave a router with a router table, that might give you better results. Thedado blade works well, it's just a bit tricky on the ends.Tom B.________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Side Trusses and EmpanageStacey,For what it's worth, the dado blade method is a bit tricky when you come to theend of the piece you're cutting. If you're taking off 3/4" for instance, youhave 3/4" of dado blade exposed and only raised out of your table about 3/16"inch at the top of the blade arc. That leaves a big opening for the end of thepiece to be pushed into with your push-stick (don't ask how I know). If youhave a router with a router table, that might give you better results. Thedado blade works well, it's just a bit tricky on the ends.Tom B.________________________________________________________________________________