Original Posted By: "Oscar Zuniga"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Alternate woodI agree with Jeff in Tx. After hearing all the things over again thatyou need to know to select your own wood, I realize that besides savinga ton of money on tools, I saved a ton of money in education time. Itwas so nice to simply open the box and start gluing. I have no problemwith a man trying to save money where ever he can, but remember Fir etc.though stronger is heavier. A real problem especially if you are usingthe Ford A. A builder in this area built a basic "to the plans" piethoping to come in at around 625 lbs., but found his finished weight tobe closer to (i believe he said) 660 lbs. A high hp. engine also is notthe answer to an over weight plane. If it's heavy it just won't flyright. Lou Larsen spoke of a Piet built out of Poplar that flewexceptionally well. If this is the "Poplar Piet" that was in one of thelast news letters, it weighed in at a slim 605 lbs. and there is thereason it flew so well. Poplar piet used a GM. engine rather than theFord A. I'd wager the GM. accounted for a lot of that weight savings.Leon S. In Ks. feeling the Canadian cold.________________________________________________________________________________