Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: fishin
Subject: Pietenpol-List: piano hinge (again) gasp!>Dear Group,>> Remember when I asked about the piano hinge on the tail surfaces?>Well, let me run this past you and please tell me what you think.>I am considering splitting the trailing edge of the hor-stab and the>leading edge of the elev and sandwiching the hinge in with bolts. Having>not a hinge in my posession, I can only estimate a 3/16" to 1/4" gap>that can be wrapped with sheet rubber much like a strip of innertube.>This would leave a clean contrasting mating that may also have some>sealing effect. Being that this would be aluminum hinge, I think I would>run the lengths of the surfaces for safety's sake and not use several>pieces of hinge that would allow me to keep these wooden pieces whole>and only slotted. Same with the rudder, only more ruddery. What say you>all?>>Dannymac: Experimental Builder>>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: dannymac
Dear Group, Remember when I asked about the piano hinge on the tail surfaces?Well, let me run this past you and please tell me what you think.I am considering splitting the trailing edge of the hor-stab and theleading edge of the elev and sandwiching the hinge in with bolts. Havingnot a hinge in my posession, I can only estimate a 3/16" to 1/4" gapthat can be wrapped with sheet rubber much like a strip of innertube.This would leave a clean contrasting mating that may also have somesealing effect. Being that this would be aluminum hinge, I think I wouldrun the lengths of the surfaces for safety's sake and not use severalpieces of hinge that would allow me to keep these wooden pieces wholeand only slotted. Same with the rudder, only more ruddery. What say youall?Dannymac: Experimental Builder________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "BELLISSIMO, DOMENIC"
Mr Dannymac,I wasn't trying to shock you, for sure, or hurt you in any way. Only thatyou should think before making changes. I did (and sorry for it) and ampassing on my experiences on to you. After writing to you yesterday, Ilater had more thought on your splitting the edges to insert the pianohinge. Maybe I just don't understand, I certainly am no scientist. how willyou cover the edges( ie wrap the fabric) if the edges are cut and there arehinges there to contend with. If you split the edge to insert a hinge itwill probably be within 3/4 " of the edge, not very strong and may causeenough stress to further split the edge. On the other hand the proven hinges( and you can get light cast aluminum), are anchored through the leading andtrailing members. Anyway its your baby, you are right I have no cause tointerfere with your process.I will not be making it to Brodhead or Oshkosh with my plane this year. Ihave too many changes that have caused my failure on the corvair. I feel Ihave to go back to square one on the engine or change the engine.Regards,Domenic ----------________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: dannymac
Danno; I strongly suggest you do NOT mess with this piano hinge on the tailsurfaces. Safely covering these would be a no go due to that hinge and wouldweaken the structure just as Domenic says. When you make these kinds ofchanges, it does affect too many things down the line and you don't realizeit till you get there and it is too late. I suggest you by the cast aluminumhinges from Mr. Capler and be done with it, Otherwise you are going to paintyourself into a corner. The piano hinge I designed works well on theailerons and is well flight proven....just do it there, OK?Earl Myers-----Original Message-----