Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: CAho878935(at)aol.com
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Spruce Kit>Chris,>While I haven't used Western Aircraft, everybody seems to comment>favorably on the wood they have received from them. I would definitely>NOT recommend Aircraft Spruce, the last batch of spruce I received from>them is very poor quality.>Mike L.>>>Christopher Gregersen wrote:>>>> I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project andhave>> considered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) in>> Alberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood to>> specs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard good,bad>> or otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, please let>> me know your thoughts or concerns.>> Thanks, Chris G.>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Earl Myers
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Spruce Kit>Dear Christopher and List,>> I received all of my spruce from Jean and am quite pleased with it.>Let me warn of a couple of things and make a couple of suggestions as>well. Jean does excellent work and I received my wood just a few weeks>ago. I urged Jean to complete my order as quickly as possible and on>just 2-3 pieces (one being my sternpost), the wood was not ripped very>even or square. Don't rush him. He supplied the hardwood bracing also>even though he does not advertise this.......I was pleasantly surprised.>He did not supply the leading edge spars for the solid or 3-piece wing>except for the center section leading spar and he did not include the>3/8 X 1-3/4 bracing for the 3-piece center section. Although he says>that he supplies all 4 center section spars/edges, he forgot my 2 main>center section spars and insisted on sending them though I never>received them. He injured his right hand a few weeks ago on a table saw>and may not have recovered yet. I picked up the CS spars locally and>wound up waiting for steel so I may receive his in time anyway. He cuts>his pieces just milli-Jeans larger than what the plans call for.....>this includes all the diagonals for the fuse, so if you are planning ANY>modification such as width, you had better let him know so he can leave>it uncut as long stock. He does not provide an itemized packing list and>appears to arbitrarily label his pieces so it might be a good idea to>familiarize yourself with it when it first comes in and make sure it's>all there. Also check the routed pieces of the tail-feathers, those were>the other couple of pieces that were milled a little off. My sternpost>is not usable.> Overall I am pleased with his product. His spruce reminds me of the>quality lumber that was available (I'm sure you remember) at every good>lumber yard way back when the quality we seek cost and extra 2-3 cents a>foot.>>Dannymac>>>Christopher Gregersen wrote:>>>> I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project andhave>> considered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) in>> Alberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood to>> specs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard good,bad>> or otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, please let>> me know your thoughts or concerns.>> Thanks, Chris G.>>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: dannymac
Chris,While I haven't used Western Aircraft, everybody seems to commentfavorably on the wood they have received from them. I would definitelyNOT recommend Aircraft Spruce, the last batch of spruce I received fromthem is very poor quality.Mike L.Christopher Gregersen wrote:> > I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project and have> considered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) in> Alberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood to> specs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard good, bad> or otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, please let> me know your thoughts or concerns.> Thanks, Chris G.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Richard DeCosta
I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project and haveconsidered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) inAlberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood tospecs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard good, bador otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, please letme know your thoughts or concerns. Thanks, Chris G.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Replicraft(at)aol.com
I have used him for all my fuselage and tail material. Very highquality wood, all the right sizes, and a few spare pieces thrown infree (which came in REAL handy for me!). Highly recommended. Just makesre you're familiar with customs if your in the US, it can be a pain. Irecommend calling customs a week or two before you expect the wood toarrive to get the paper trail started.Heres a pic of the wood I got from him:http://www.aircamper.org/acimg/WesternA ... Richard--- Christopher Gregersen wrote:> I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project and> have> considered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) in> Alberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood to> specs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard> good, bad> or otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, please> let> me know your thoughts or concerns. > Thanks, Chris G.> ==="Lady, you want me to answer you if this old airplane is safe to fly? Just howin the world do you think it got to be this old?" - Jim Tavenner----------------------------------------------------------http://www.AirCamper.org - A Low 'n Slow Online Community!----------------------------------------------------------My homepage: http://www.AirCamper.org/w3builder_____ ... __________

Original Posted By: kyle ray
Chris-Although I use Wicks Aircraft for all our Spruce needs, I have heard only GOOD things about Western Aircraft Supplies.SteveReplicraft Aviation________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: michael list
Chris,My wood came from Western Aircraft. It looks good to me and is not all the expensive - price it out at AS&S. Customs was notany problem at Rochester, NY. Your mileage may vary if you arenot picking up at an international airport. Total damage was$1578 US.Dave>I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project and have>considered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) in>Alberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood to>specs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard good, bad>or otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, please let>me know your thoughts or concerns. >Thanks, Chris G.>>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Michael King
Dear Christopher and List, I received all of my spruce from Jean and am quite pleased with it.Let me warn of a couple of things and make a couple of suggestions aswell. Jean does excellent work and I received my wood just a few weeksago. I urged Jean to complete my order as quickly as possible and onjust 2-3 pieces (one being my sternpost), the wood was not ripped veryeven or square. Don't rush him. He supplied the hardwood bracing alsoeven though he does not advertise this.......I was pleasantly surprised.He did not supply the leading edge spars for the solid or 3-piece wingexcept for the center section leading spar and he did not include the 3/8 X 1-3/4 bracing for the 3-piece center section. Although he saysthat he supplies all 4 center section spars/edges, he forgot my 2 maincenter section spars and insisted on sending them though I neverreceived them. He injured his right hand a few weeks ago on a table sawand may not have recovered yet. I picked up the CS spars locally andwound up waiting for steel so I may receive his in time anyway. He cutshis pieces just milli-Jeans larger than what the plans call for.....this includes all the diagonals for the fuse, so if you are planning ANYmodification such as width, you had better let him know so he can leaveit uncut as long stock. He does not provide an itemized packing list andappears to arbitrarily label his pieces so it might be a good idea tofamiliarize yourself with it when it first comes in and make sure it'sall there. Also check the routed pieces of the tail-feathers, those werethe other couple of pieces that were milled a little off. My sternpostis not usable. Overall I am pleased with his product. His spruce reminds me of thequality lumber that was available (I'm sure you remember) at every goodlumber yard way back when the quality we seek cost and extra 2-3 cents afoot. DannymacChristopher Gregersen wrote:> > I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project and have> considered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) in> Alberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood to> specs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard good, bad> or otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, please let> me know your thoughts or concerns.> Thanks, Chris G.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: dannymac
Dmac; The sternpost of the fuselage winds up being almost triangular, the topcorner flattened a bit. Matbe that is why the raw piece.There is another "hidden" source for Piet kits from a guy in Iowa named ChadWille (the prop maker St. Croix). He has built 3 Aircampers and oneScout..........'Ole chad is NOT on line. Does Replicraft make wood kits forthe Piet(s)? Isn't he on the Piet list..?...I would trust these two sourceslong before anyone else altho I heard from many about Western being good,American Customs being the worst of the whole deal.........Earl Myers-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: michael list
Mike L. I got my spruce from Aircraft Spruce last Aug (98) I told her what Iwanted ( long fuselage three piece wing) and she sent me an itemized list.When I said OK, they sent a great order of spruce. Haven't found a piece yetI couldn't use. This was spruce only, no ply. In the $1100/$1200 range.Walt-----Original Message-----________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By:> dannymac
In reguard to customs: I had absolutely NO problem with customs down here near HoustonIntercontinental Airport (Now called Bush Intercontinental.....gag).They asked me if the wood was in connection with industry or mylivelyhood and when I assured them it was for to build an old wood &wire recreational airplane just for fun, they stamped the papers thatthe air carriers gave me and told me to return them as I pick up mywood. No duty, no tax, no hassle. Just another raised eyebrow as Ienthusiastically told another potential Piet builder, "You can build onetoo!".DannymacEarl Myers wrote:> > Dmac;> The sternpost of the fuselage winds up being almost triangular, the top> corner flattened a bit. Matbe that is why the raw piece.> There is another "hidden" source for Piet kits from a guy in Iowa named Chad> Wille (the prop maker St. Croix). He has built 3 Aircampers and one> Scout..........'Ole chad is NOT on line. Does Replicraft make wood kits for> the Piet(s)? Isn't he on the Piet list..?...I would trust these two sources> long before anyone else altho I heard from many about Western being good,> American Customs being the worst of the whole deal.........> Earl Myers> -----Original Message-----

Original Posted By:> michael list
Hey Walt!Glad you got some good wood. In defense of Aircraft Spruce (I stillenjoy doing business with them) I should list the specific problems thatI had. I don't think they are alone in having problems getting goodspruce. They are: 1) Brittle wood that snapped completely and tooeasily while doing bend tests along 6" sections of capstrip, 2)Excessive grain runout in both length and width, 3) insufficient grainper inch, as low as 5 per inch and 4) grain angle too flat across thewidth of the capstrip. The first batch I received was from AircraftSpruce West, the second was drop shipped from Aircraft Spruce East. West sent much better material than East, scrap rate fresh out of thebox is about 15% West to almost 25% East. Some of the wood that snappedat low stress levels had beautiful grain but was noticeably lighter thanthe rest of the lot. Gave me the willies knowing that I can test the capstrip, but not soeasily a spar before use. My point is to test whatever you get beforebuilding with it, especially after hearing a talk from an FAA accidentinvestigator about a spruce spar failure on a Cassutt recently that wasattributable to hidden compression damage in the spar. He indicatedthat they are hearing more complaints and concerns about the decliningquality of wood from homebuilders and restorers. I know there is goodwood still out there, as in the beautiful fir I have found locally, justtake the time to inspect it as best we can.Happy Building!Mike L. walter evans wrote:> > Mike L.> I got my spruce from Aircraft Spruce last Aug (98) I told her what I> wanted ( long fuselage three piece wing) and she sent me an itemized list.> When I said OK, they sent a great order of spruce. Haven't found a piece yet> I couldn't use.> This was spruce only, no ply. In the $1100/$1200 range.> Walt> -----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: "Sayre, William G"
Hello all,, I know this is kinda last minute but I'll throw this outanyway.For those flying thier peits to Broadhead please consider McPherson,Kansas for a fuel stop and or overnight. McPherson is approx 60 milesNorth of Wichita or 30 miles south of Salina on I-135. The identifieris MPR. The airport is uncontrolled, 18-36 4200ft paved, 8-26 2500grass, unicom is 122.8 and elev is 1500msl. I have a big hangar, roomenough for 2 or 3 peits. Both auto and 100 LL are available. I'll eventhrow in a free tank of gas to the first peit to touch down. Soplease, all that are interested consider yourself welcome. Enjoy theflyin all. Maby next year I'll get there. My phone is 316-241-9340. Happy flying. Chad Johnson-----Original Message-----Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 15:05:38 -0700Hey Everyone:Contact www.replicraft.com for good Piet parts, and an 80% built-up fuseand all wing ribs are available pre-built if you like, in addition to allmetal fittings. Using these for my middle school Piet project.John BayerMeany Magnet School Piet Project, Seattle writes:>Mike L.> I got my spruce from Aircraft Spruce last Aug (98) I told her what >I>wanted ( long fuselage three piece wing) and she sent me an itemized >list.>When I said OK, they sent a great order of spruce. Haven't found a >piece yet>I couldn't use.> This was spruce only, no ply. In the $1100/$1200 range.>Walt>-----Original Message----->From: michael list >To: Pietenpol Discussion >Date: Sunday, July 11, 1999 1:41 PM>Subject: Re: Spruce Kit>>>>Chris,>>While I haven't used Western Aircraft, everybody seems to comment>>favorably on the wood they have received from them. I would >definitely>>NOT recommend Aircraft Spruce, the last batch of spruce I received >from>>them is very poor quality.>>Mike L.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Christopher Gregersen wrote:>>>>>> I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project >and>have>>> considered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) >in>>> Alberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood >to>>> specs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard >good,>bad>>> or otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, >please let>>> me know your thoughts or concerns.>>> Thanks, Chris G.>>>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: FordPiet(at)aol.com
John-Thanks for the plug!!!The correct web address is http://www.replicraftaviation.comSteve________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Earl Myers
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Fw: Spruce Kit>{SNIP}>>test the capstrip, but not so>>easily a spar before use. My point is to test whatever you get before>>building with it, especially after hearing a talk from an FAA accident>>investigator about a spruce spar failure on a Cassutt recently that was>>attributable to hidden compression damage in the spar.>{SNIP}>>>With the concern about wood quality, especially for spars, is there an>argument for laminating 3/4" x 3/4" into a spar? There would be lesschance>of a hidden flaw, with the ability to test small pieces. The price isabout>$20 more for the laminated version, plus the cost and weight of the epoxy.>>Al Swanson>>________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Earl Myers
{SNIP}test the capstrip, but not so>easily a spar before use. My point is to test whatever you get before>building with it, especially after hearing a talk from an FAA accident>investigator about a spruce spar failure on a Cassutt recently that was>attributable to hidden compression damage in the spar. {SNIP}With the concern about wood quality, especially for spars, is there anargument for laminating 3/4" x 3/4" into a spar? There would be less chanceof a hidden flaw, with the ability to test small pieces. The price is about$20 more for the laminated version, plus the cost and weight of the epoxy.Al Swanson________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Alan Swanson
The laminated spars are good for more strength, less bending and wouldexpose those hidden problems.-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: "Cy Galley"
Was looking for a good source for a spruce kit. Called AS&S and theorder taker was not sure what in the kit and what stage of work it's in.Western had what sounded like a good kit but was much higher that AS&S.What would you do if you had to do it over again ???Thanks for a great source of info for us beginners !!Thanks Gang,Craig in SC________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Craig Williams"
Craig,A while ago I was passing around my spruce lists that I had ordered fromAS&S a few years ago. If nothing else you could give them that and fill theorder from it. All my woodwork is done, and the quantity came out fine.As of three years ago the quality was excellant. If you get anything like Igot , you'll be very satisfied.Let me know and I can fwd it to you.waltlist is for long fuse w/ 3 piece wing.----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: Gerald Shepardson
> Subject: Re: Spruce Kit> > >Dear Christopher and List,> >> > I received all of my spruce from Jean and am quite pleased with it.> >Let me warn of a couple of things and make a couple of suggestions as> >well. Jean does excellent work and I received my wood just a few weeks> >ago. I urged Jean to complete my order as quickly as possible and on> >just 2-3 pieces (one being my sternpost), the wood was not ripped very> >even or square. Don't rush him. He supplied the hardwood bracing also> >even though he does not advertise this.......I was pleasantly surprised.> >He did not supply the leading edge spars for the solid or 3-piece wing> >except for the center section leading spar and he did not include the> >3/8 X 1-3/4 bracing for the 3-piece center section. Although he says> >that he supplies all 4 center section spars/edges, he forgot my 2 main> >center section spars and insisted on sending them though I never> >received them. He injured his right hand a few weeks ago on a table saw> >and may not have recovered yet. I picked up the CS spars locally and> >wound up waiting for steel so I may receive his in time anyway. He cuts> >his pieces just milli-Jeans larger than what the plans call for.....> >this includes all the diagonals for the fuse, so if you are planning ANY> >modification such as width, you had better let him know so he can leave> >it uncut as long stock. He does not provide an itemized packing list and> >appears to arbitrarily label his pieces so it might be a good idea to> >familiarize yourself with it when it first comes in and make sure it's> >all there. Also check the routed pieces of the tail-feathers, those were> >the other couple of pieces that were milled a little off. My sternpost> >is not usable.> > Overall I am pleased with his product. His spruce reminds me of the> >quality lumber that was available (I'm sure you remember) at every good> >lumber yard way back when the quality we seek cost and extra 2-3 cents a> >foot.> >> >Dannymac> >> >> >> >> >Christopher Gregersen wrote:> >>> >> I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project and> have> >> considered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) in> >> Alberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood to> >> specs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard good,> bad> >> or otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, please let> >> me know your thoughts or concerns.> >> Thanks, Chris G.> >> >________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: CALLAIR(at)cybersol.com (Carpenter, Joel)
> Subject: Re: Spruce Kit> > >Chris,> >While I haven't used Western Aircraft, everybody seems to comment> >favorably on the wood they have received from them. I would definitely> >NOT recommend Aircraft Spruce, the last batch of spruce I received from> >them is very poor quality.> >Mike L.> >> >> >> >> >> >> >Christopher Gregersen wrote:> >>> >> I'm doing some research on where to buy wood for my Piet. project and> have> >> considered buying it from, Western Aircraft Supplies (Jean Peters) in> >> Alberta, Canada. It's my understanding that he mills all the wood to> >> specs. If you have personally, know of someone you has, or heard good,> bad> >> or otherwise about buying wood from Western Aircraft Supplies, please let> >> me know your thoughts or concerns.> >> Thanks, Chris G.> >________________________________________________________________________________