Pietenpol-List: another experimental takes off to set another record

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Original Posted By: "Oscar Zuniga"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Making Metal Fittings> All this discussion about CAD has prompted me to speak up and > relate my experience with making fitting per the drawings. I drew > up all the fittings using TurboCAD. I like TurboCAD and will > likely upgrade to their 3D version when the price comes down. > > > > I knew from Mike Cuy's posts on this list that many of the > fittings need to be a bit longer. On some fittings I think this > is due to not allowing for the bend allowance when they were > drawn. On others, I just don't know why. So when drawing each > fitting I included the bend allowance (even put in bend lines) as > shown in "Making Fittings" by Tony Bingelis ( The Sport Plane > Builder Book from the EAA [catch that reference Mike?]). > > > > It worked well to glue on the printed fitting templates and cut > them out. After cutting, grinding then sanding you end up with a > fitting that is very close to the drawing. The crosshair in the > bolt hole is very helpful in placing a dimple exactly where the > plans show the center of the hole. But there is the problem, not > all the fittings I've made seem to fit my fuselage and tail like I > think they should. Fortunately, a much wiser builder then I told > me not to make the fitting until I need them, just for this > reason. I think the problem lies in the way the plans were drawn > and the inaccuracies of building. Now, I am not saying the plans > are wrong. All I am saying is that in places the fitting could > fit the location better.> > > > So here is what I now do. I make a template using cardboard, > paper, light aluminum or whatever is handy, right on the completed > structural element. I make my template large enough to layout the > holes where the plans say to do it. Then I adjust the center of > these holes to the best spot on the structure. Usually this is to > the centerline of the wood member or away from a glue joint. I > then adjust the outside dimension of the fitting to maintain the > setback away from the edge. Holes hanging out in space I located > per the drawing but a bit farther away (ie longer tabs, as Mike > suggests). I mostly follow the plans but the CAD drawings were, > for me, a waste of time. The thing about fittings is you need to > look at what they are supposed to do and make them fit your plane > not the plans. > > > > If I can, I do all the bending before drilling any holes. As for > holes, leave them undersize clamp them in place and drill the > matching holes on the wood member. Then I do the final trimming > down to the correct shape and size. On doubled up fittings (you > know where there is one on the inside and one on the outside) only > drill holes on one then clamp both on the fuselage drill an > undersize hole all the way through the other fitting. Then > enlarge the hole to the proper size and then finish to the shape > and size.> > > > That's the way I see it. Now I haven't made that many fittings > yet so this might be my problem and more experienced builders may > not encounter this. I'm new to metal work but I'm finding the > learning curve to be fun. My wood construction is as close as I > can come but trust me I know it's not perfect.> > > > Oh, one more thing, because I feel that this advice, to not build > the fittings first, has saved me a bunch of money, I have chosen > to not give out the CAD files because I would feel terrible if > someone used them to make the fittings and they did not fit.> > > > Sorry about the long post> > > > Chris Tracy> Sacramento, Ca> ________________________________________________________________________________

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Original Posted By: harvey rule

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Original Posted By: jimboyer(at)direcway.com

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Original Posted By: "Sayre, William G"
I made a small aluminum bracket to attach to one of the cabane struts on 41CC, to mount a small mirror (don't laugh). It's one of the small round mirrors that you stick on to your vehicle's outside rear-view mirror to get a wider view of what's behind you. I like to be able to 'check six' in case the Red Baron is slipping up behind me ;o) Actually, it helps with preflight, you can see the flippers flipping, and when you hit the smoke you can watch your smoke trail to keep it straight ;o)Anyway, after trying several different products to make the small template for the bracket, I got the best results using the carton from a 12-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Don't laugh; it's good stuff. The carton, that is. Well, the PBR is, too.Oscar ZunigaSan Antonio, TXmailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.comwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.net________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Making Metal FittingsDate: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 06:23:30 -0800

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Original Posted By: "Steve Eldredge"

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Original Posted By: harvey rule

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Original Posted By: "Robert Gow"
I also have a small round mirror attached to the cabane for the the same reasonsas others. I bought one at a Bike shop and used cable ties to attach.Dick N.________________________________________________________________________________

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Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
I'd use Sleaman's. It would be a shame to dump out all that Bud just to getthe case.-----Original Message-----