Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: Rcaprd(at)aol.com
Subject: Pietenpol-List: attachment of horizontal stabWhen attaching the horizontal stab, is it best to shim under each member untilthey all are level? I'm wondering why the use of 3/16" ply on the two front membersand 1/8" on the back. It seems that instead of shimming it up, that usinga thinner gusset in those locations would also work? Also, the plans call for screws attachment into longerons. I'm assuming peopleare bolting through the longerons on the front two members... What about therear member where it connects at the tailpost?Is there any problem with using standard carbon steel on the brackets for attachingthe tail members? I can get my hands on some for free if that would work.Tom Brant________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By:
Tom,Dale and I attached the tail pieces straightand level.Bolting through the longerons instead ofusing screws is a widely accepted change.What thickness steel do you have access to?Greg Cardinal----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Christian Bobka"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: attachment of horizontal stabGreg,I should have some 10 and 12 ga. carbon steel. I work with several fabricatorswho I've made friends with over the years. I usually buy lunch for them andthey'll do some butting and bending for me with their cut-offs that they haveon hand. I'm thinking the brackets for the tail section could be 12 ga. The plans callfor 12 and 13 ga. and back in the day they didn't have 4130 and it worked justfine. Bill Rewey's entire plane uses plain old carbon steel for all the fittingsI believe. I may do as he did also and make elevator / aileron horns outof flat sheet material instead of the formed / welded called for in the plans...Just seems simpler.I'd be happy to have you and Dale drop by for a look at the project so far. Ofcourse I'd take full advantage of the situation and pick your brains until youwere begging to go home.Tom B.________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By:
Tom,If you saw the works of art the built up horns are once they are done.....I would stick with the plans. Plans call for steel. Just make sure thesteel is COLD ROLLED and not hot rolled. Hot rolled is too soft and wouldbe unsafe.chris----- Original Message -----