Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Mike Whaley"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Pietenpol-List Digest: 12 Msgs - 11/27/04Hey, Group, I am ready to build the tail surfaces and have a question about the steel fittings. The plans call for 5/8 x 13 gauge steel. The chart says that13 gauge is .09". Aircraft Spruce sells 5/8 inch strap up to .08" thickness. My understanding is that 4130 is stronger than the mild steel Pietenpol had available. If this is correct, would it be reasonable to use the .08" steel?It involves a considerable savings in labor if it is safe. What say you? Don Cooley________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Mike Luther
Don ...I made my tail hinges from the 14 gauge X 5/8" material from A/C spruce for the exact same reason that you have mentioned with the same reasoning that the 4130 is stronger .. They came out nice and they are way stronger than the spruce spars that they are bolted to...That was before I knew that A/C spruce or Wicks would custom cut the 13ga into strips for a small charge..And before I knew that you can buy ready made aluminum hinges..making the hinges takes a lot of work and time with each hinge having four little pieces plus bending, welding and drilling times 9 hinges...And if I had it to do again I would fit the hinges to the spars before assembling the Stabilizer and elevators ...Hope the input helps but I would be interested in other builder's opinions on the 14 ga hinges....Ed G. in Fl....Just finished my female mold and Ready to lay up my composite 12 gallon cowl tank...Sorry to hear about your plummet Jack...But glad you missed those wires!!!>From: ADonJr(at)aol.com>Reply-To: pietenpol-list(at)matronics.com>To: pietenpol-list(at)matronics.com>Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Pietenpol-List Digest: 12 Msgs - 11/27/04>Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 00:53:05 EST>>Hey, Group,> I am ready to build the tail surfaces and have a question about the>steel fittings. The plans call for 5/8 x 13 gauge steel. The chart says >that 13>gauge is .09". Aircraft Spruce sells 5/8 inch strap up to .08" thickness.>My understanding is that 4130 is stronger than the mild steel Pietenpol >had>available. If this is correct, would it be reasonable to use the .08" >steel?>It involves a considerable savings in labor if it is safe. What say you?> Don Cooley________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 05:38:44 -0900