Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Graham Hansen"
I hope this isn't too inflammtory, but.... I love tools, but I'm starting to feel a little embarrassed! Or, maybe I'm suffering from tool envy - all I have are the low-end Sears benchtop drill press, table saw, band saw, and router table. Every one is absolute low-end stuff! I also have a hand jigsaw, and skilsaw, both el-cheapo, and so far, my almost finished fuselage, tailfeathers and ribs seem fine! I've ripped all of my own pieces, except the 4 longerons, from larger stock, and I shaped all my tail section pieces myself using my Sears router table. Yep, you can see saw marks on most of my cross braces, and I don't mind, they'll be covered.Before my Piet project, woodworking for me consisted of assembling cheap Wal-Mart particle board furniture! I don't have furniture-perfect finished spruce in my plane, and most of my cuts are "cut it close and sand to fit". I'll admit that I'm not a "craftsman", and that upon not very close inspection, purists might scoff at my work. I use T88 because of its gap-filling qualities and I figure my slightly rougher surfaces provide more "tooth" and better bonds. My point is: Many of us aren't "craftsmen". We love airplanes, and stupid us, we actually think we can muster what it takes to actually build one of them. When I see all the talk of the expensive equipment that you really "need" to build a Piet, and all the skill that's required, it makes me think that maybe there's someone out there thinking about "giving up" because they don't have the tools or skills required to build a Piet. But not me. How about somebody stepping up and telling just how FEW expensive tools they used in building their Piet! I have about $1000 invested in power tools and a small gas welding rig. Keep up the banter and activity - it's fun to have an active list, regardless of whether or not we agree, we can all learn something from each other! The compass stuff was great, good info and good fun!Gary MeadowsSpring, Texas(Fuselage, tailfeathers, and ribs pretty much done, I force-landed my Cessna Cardinal last week with a busted jug, I'm taking my CFI ride in 6 days, and I'm adding the IA to my A&P mid next year......yeah, I love airplanes!)MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide ... __________

Original Posted By: "Gary Meadows"
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Original Posted By: Isablcorky(at)aol.com
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Tool and "craftsmanship" ramblings...In a message dated 12/15/01 2:05:23 AM Eastern Standard Time, gwmeadows(at)hotmail.com writes:>Congrats (hopefully) on the CFI and IA. I was wondering same thing myself. I don't have the table saw, drill press, or bandsaw. I was thinking a benchtop table saw, belt/disc sander, as well as the router and jig saw I already have would be sufficient. Mostly hand tools.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: john e fay
Subject: Pietenpol-List: ILPA ?Older Pieters,While on a recent trip down south I met a few old pilots who informed me of an organization which meets annually at KEOKUK,Iowa called, I think, The International Liason Pilots Association or something close to that. Do any of you belong or know anything about it. I would have a lot of friends eligible, if still living.Corky in North La with a belly full of good Nawl'ins food. Found a new restuarant. If any one is interested E-mail me and I'll give you the particulars. It's like finding a treasure.________________________________________________________________________________Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001 11:27:33 -0600Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re:Power tool advice

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
For what it's worth, most of my wood was cut by hand using my old Stanleymiter rig. Ply was cut with an old craftsman jig saw.Most of the metal tubing for the controls was with a hacksaw.( the bellhousing for the corvair was by hand also) The metal sheets I cut with my aircutoff tool. The good ole angle grinder was working a lot. My five speedcentral machinery drill press bore the holes. Oxy torch setup is a must.And I did it all in my basement and living room. ( with a budget thatsqueaks.) That's the beauty of the Piet. You can go fancy shop or barebones.Carl ( finishing the engine and covering the tailfeathers)N 40044Please visit my website atwww.megsinet.net/skycarl-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: Larry Neal
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Tool and "craftsmanship" ramblings...In a message dated 12/14/2001 11:05:23 PM Pacific Standard Time, gwmeadows(at)hotmail.com writes:> > > I love tools, but I'm starting to feel a little embarrassed! Or, maybe > I'm > suffering from tool envy - all I have are the low-end Sears benchtop drill > press, table saw, band saw, and router table. Every one is absolute low-end > > stuff! I also Hi Gary,I have almost the same exact set of tools you have. They have worked fine to get my fuselage, ribs, tail surfaces all done. Soon as I finish the metal fitting for the fuselage I will put the side sheeting on the fuselage and it will be on wheels; Hooray!Mine too have some tool marks on the pieces but it'll fly fine when covered.Cheers, Jim________________________________________________________________________________Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001 20:05:56 -0600

Original Posted By: "Ignitor"
Don't know of the Keokuk group, but here up north is a group called "SilverWings" consisting of quite a few WW2 heavy metal drivers ever a retired RearAdmiral.The only requirement for membership is one must have soloed 25+years ago. In the group are several 80+ year old active pilots. At 63 yearsyoung, I'm one "kids" that show up. Formal luncheons are held quarterlywhich feature very interesting speakers. One of which was the co-pilot ofBocks Car. Those of you old enough will know what Bocks Car accomplished.regardsJoeC N99621 In cold wet NE corner of IL where winter is trying to sneakin>Older Pieters,>While on a recent trip down south I met a few old pilots who informed me of>an organization which meets annually at KEOKUK,Iowa called, I think, The>International Liason Pilots Association or something close to that. Do anyof>you belong or know anything about it. I would have a lot of friendseligible,>if still living.>Corky in North La with a belly full of good Nawl'ins food. Found a new>restuarant. If any one is interested E-mail me and I'll give you the>particulars. It's like finding a treasure.________________________________________________________________________________Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2001 09:17:22 -0700