Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Kringle"
Hi Tom,Thanks for sharing those pictures. Brings back fond memories. I built all the ribs before I found this forum, and did not know I was supposed to soak or steam the top cap strips. When I found out, I got that "knot" that forms in the bottom of your stomach when things like this happen. Took a 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full of water and soaked the noses of all the ribs overnite. I am sure this relieved all stresses because two of them actually broke just aft of the first diagonal, and I had to make new ones. The glue joints were unaffected. Dan HelsperPoplar Grove, IL. ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Bending blocks

Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
I've decided to make my metal fittings by using steel bending blocks in my vise.Is there a source for a set of these with different radii already ground onthem?--------JohnRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Just make 'emJack PhillipsNX899JP "Icarus Plummet"Raleigh, NC-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: Jim Markle

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
This could be an option. Pretty sharp radius though.http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-Vise-Brake/H3245 JackDSM-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: Jim Markle

Original Posted By:> owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
I have a grizzly vise brake, and had to increase the radius of the bending edge (pretty easy to file down). As it comes, it impresses marks on the bend that would be stress risers. Filed down (I did mine to work with steel in the .09 t0 .125 range), it works great. They are cheap enough that you might want to get several and file them down even more (or less) for thicker or thinner stock.The only issue I've found with this tool is that you have to be really careful that the stock is indexed exactly right before you bend it - there are no reference marks for alignment on the tool itself.Kip GardnerOn Jan 23, 2011, at 8:40 AM, Jack wrote:>> This could be an option. Pretty sharp radius though.> http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-Vise-Brake/H3245> Jack> DSM>> -----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: "K5YAC"
I have a HF bender that is handy on larger projects but was too slow to get riggedup for the Piet jobs. I used various pieces of angle iron the I ground differentradii on and my trusty vise.--------Jerry Dotson59 Daniel Johnson RdBaker, FL 32531Started building NX510JD July, 2009wing, tailfeathers done, fuselage rollingusing Lycoming O-235Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ttachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/bend ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Bending blocks

Original Posted By: Ryan Mueller
Jim Markle showed me the Grizzly break that he uses and I had to get one. I didn'tlike the idea of pounding metal to shape in my vise... this thing allowsyou much better control of the placement and angle of the bends. Simple device,and worth the money. I agree on the sharpness... it needs wider radius. I ran mine on a surface grinderand then rounded it of with a hand file.--------Mark ChouinardWings, Center Section and Empannage framed up - Working on FuselageRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2011 09:51:53 -0600Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Brace cables, pulleys, wing supports

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
John,Instead of using steel bending blocks in my vice, I used 1/8" thick aluminumangle, because.....I had some, and it's very easy to shape the radii.Gary-----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: "Charles Campbell"
Contrary to what would seem logical, the radius of the bend is NOT dependent onthe radius of the "knife" die, but rather, on the opening size of the "vee" die,and the elasticity of the metal being bent.Provided the die is sized correctly for the thickness of the metal being bent,and that the bending is stopped before the knife is driven so far that the metalis being squished between the knife and the vee die, the result should be thesame with a sharp "knife" as with a radius.When bending steel in this type of setup, the so-called bottom die (the v-shapedpart) should have an opening that ideally measures 8 times the thickness ofthe metal being bent. The opening can be as small as 6 times, or as large as 10times the metal thickness without negative effects.The metal will form a natural radius that is determined by the material elasticity,rather than the radius of the tool.Of course, if the vise is tightened too far (bottoming), the knife will cut intothe metal.Bill C.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ttachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/bend ... __________

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Aluminum works very similar to wood, with same tools! Good luck...Gary -----Original Message-----

Original Posted By: "dwilson"
Dave,For whatever it might be worth, Dan Helsper and numerous other builders here haveadhered extremely closely to the plans, and their airplanes are perfectly flyablejust the way they are. Some people just like to try to re-invent thewheel, while others are quite happy with the wheel as it is. As the Piet is designed,the wheel seems perfectly round to me. Ford Model A engines (and Corvairs too) really are real engines, they certainlyaren't just figments of the imagination bolted to the firewalls. Lycomingsand Continentals are NOT immune to failure either... ANY mechanical device issubject to fail without notice, there is no special dispensation from the FAAstating that Ly-Cons are not subject to the laws of nature or physics. The landing gear as it is drawn in the plans is in the correct position if youare not using brakes. Not everyone puts brakes on their Piet, not everyone needsthem depending on where they choose to fly from.And when is the last time you or anyone else you know actually used 80lb Irishlinen and nitrocellulose dope to cover an airplane? Some changes are made dueto availability of materials, cost considerations, common sense (casein glue,anybody?), and some just to meet FAA requirements. This doesn't mean the planeneeds to be "updated" (redesigned). If you feel the need to deviate from theplans or change something on your plane, feel free to do so, it is YOUR plane.--------Billy McCaskillUrbana, ILtail section almost done, starting on ribs soonRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Bending blocks

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Of no comparison to the fine brake that Dan is illustrating, but functionalfor an 8' bend, is this brake I built out of angle iron and a piano hinge(for a previous project). I have since cut it down to 5', which is stilllonger than I need for the Piet cowling. Fortunately, I have returned from the Dark Side, and am at home with woodand fabric...Gary Boothe Cool, Ca. Pietenpol WW Corvair Conversion, Running! Tail done, Fuselage on gear (24 ribs down.) -----Original Message-----