Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "walt evans"
Really no other way to put it. I had about 2/3 of my crossmembers completed and I was cutting the extra length from the lengerons in preperation to put it on it's back again to start installing the floor. As I was moving it I heard that sound like you hear in the movies when someone is standing on a fozen lake and it starts to crack. Then it opened up like a fucking zipper and I was standing there with two fuse halves in my hands that were still joined at the tail with one or two crossmembers still hanging from one side or another. It appears that the glue joints (T88 epoxy) did no fail but the wood itself was torn off. I really don't know where to head at this point. I am worried about being able to reglue the joints, if that is safe or not. If I can't, I am not to excited about throwing away that much money and time to try again. Aftermath: http://www.subarubrat.com/misc/split1.jpgGlue joint failures: http://www.subarubrat.com/misc/split2.j ... ______Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 15:58:36 -0500

Original Posted By: "Dave Abramson"
Scott,Yeah, that sucks,Clear proof that those but joints are not enough, they are there forcompression only.For that reason I would sand off the epoxy and re-use them.Then before you move the fuse or remove any clamps, glue the two ply boardsin place that fit under the cowling ( 9 x 24 and 7 x 24 If I recallcorrectly)They work as a large gusset and are there for this purpose.Plus glue the ply firewall in place.It never hurts to leave a large clamp in pace until you have that otherlarge gusset (the floor) glued in, anywayHans "Scott Schreiber" To Sent by: owner-pietenpol-l cc ist-server@matron ics.com Subject Pietenpol-List: My airplane just exploded 12/06/2006 02:17 PM Please respond to pietenpol-list@ma tronics.com Really no other way to put it. I had about 2/3 of my crossmembers completedand I was cutting the extra length from the lengerons in preperation to putit on it's back again to start installing the floor. As I was moving it Iheard that sound like you hear in the movies when someone is standing on afozen lake and it starts to crack. Then it opened up like a fucking zipperand I was standing there with two fuse halves in my hands that were stilljoined at the tail with one or two crossmembers still hanging from one sideor another. It appears that the glue joints (T88 epoxy) did no fail but thewood itself was torn off. I really don't know where to head at this point.I am worried about being able to reglue the joints, if that is safe or not.If I can't, I am not to excited about throwing away that much money andtime to try again.Aftermath: http://www.subarubrat.com/misc/split1.jpgGlue joint failures: http://www.subarubrat.com/misc/split2.j ... __________

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
You need the gussets to hold it together.. I kept both ends of my fuselageclamped until the floor, bottom gussets, top gussets, and front shelf wasinstalled. (and allowed to dry for a couple days) Just sand , reglue clampand GUSSET.No worries!Dave-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: Dave Abramson
I had full side gussets on, but no top and bottom gussets. While I have for a long time, and still do, understand the gusset, I didn't expect that they wouldn't withstand simple handeling. So, let my bad day be a lesson to others not to move the structure without gussets! ----- Original Message -----