Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "BritishJim"
Perfect info guys. Thanks so much!--------Your nose is high; you're in the sky. The other way around; you'll hit the ground....Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Is the metal fabrication realistic for a total newbie?

Original Posted By: "bdewenter"
I'm currently going through the plans in detail and am fairly comfortable withthe woodworking part of things. I've not got any more experience than balsa models,but am sure I can learn some new skills as I go and manage it.But...metal fabrication...that's another story! I've got absolutely no experience/toolsfor it and, looking at the plans, it appears daunting to say the veryleast.Has anyone else accomplished the metal components without prior experience? I livein the middle of nowhere so don't have any options for classes or findinga mentor.It's the only bit of the build that is making me have second thoughts. But perhapsthe plans are more daunting than the process actually is?--------Your nose is high; you're in the sky. The other way around; you'll hit the ground....Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Is the metal fabrication realistic for a total newbie?

Original Posted By: "Lorenzo"
YES. I had never done this before either. MANY of the fittings are made fromstrip steel from 5/8" to 1" and are cut in seconds- yes seconds - using a highquality hack saw blade. Order material from Aircraft spruce or any source ofmetal.You should really get Tony Bingelis books. It describes metal fitting fabrication,the best tools to form the more complex shaped parts, etc.Check out this FREE CAD tool at emachineshop.com I used their program to layoutthe LG fitting, elevator and aileron horns, and dash panels. They will makeyour parts for you with water jet cutting - or you can export to AutoCAD formatand send to any machine shop with a water jet cutter and you have instant fittings!A simple jig saw with a variable speed control makes cutting aluminum a snap.Find a power band saw on ebay or order from Harbor FreightStand tall Jim. If you cant make metal fittings you have no place in experimentalaviation and home building. Sorry if that sounded a bit harsh. If you wantto build an airplane you can.I was guilty of turning mole hills into mountains when I started to tear down myCorvair core. So many mysterious terms like "end play" and "Plasti-guage".When I got off my but and began asking others for help I realized how dumb Iwas being. I completed my corvair in 368 days - after letting it languise for3 years in the corner of my garage.Engage, ask questions, fail, learn, build fly!--------Bob 'Early Builder' DewenterDayton OHRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Is the metal fabrication realistic for a total newbie?

Original Posted By: "jarheadpilot82"
Yes, you can do it. But it may take some effort.I am a wood worker. The wood pieces go easily for me. I had the fuselage built,and the ribs done, and the spars made in short order.I am not a metal worker. I still have to force myself to think about proper sequences,and then go out to the shop to get something done. Making all the fittingshas gone slowly for me, but I'm getting there. But like many have said here,just do SOMETHING each day and you will be finished before you know it.You CAN do it.LorenzoRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Is the metal fabrication realistic for a total newbie?

Original Posted By: "Bill Church"
Bob said it best. If you want to build an airplane, you can. You have asked plenty of questions, but your next step should be to START.Pick something simple. Take your pick. Just make one of something. If it is donewell, then move on to another piece. If not, then redo it.FWIW, I made my lift strut fittings three times. I just was not happy with thework the first two times, so I redid them until they were acceptable. And no,I had never even touched 4130 steel strips before building my airplane. But Ilearned by doing, not by only reading and thinking and asking. By doing.so get out there and get started.--------Semper Fi,Terry HandAthens, GARead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Is the metal fabrication realistic for a total newbie?

Original Posted By: "Jack Philips"
Ditto what's been said, Jim. It's all do-able. And if there are a few parts thatyou can't seem to produce satisfactorily, you can always find a skilled personto do it for you.Seems as though, every time I read about a Piet that was built back in the 30s,when the plans first became available, the aircraft were typically built in nomore than about a year and a half. When you think about the tools and technologythat were available back then, and the average person's education level,it really is impressive. Today, with our fancy electric drills and saws andlaser levels and TIG welders and waterjet cutters and numerically controlled brakeavailable to us, a project is considered as being fast-tracked if constructiontakes less than two or three years. If they could do it 80 years ago, I'msure you can do it today.Bill C.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________

Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
Good advice from Greg. I would add that you should buy some =C2=BC=9D thick steel that you can then grind a different radius on each edge for use in forming the metal pieces by persuading (hammering) them to shape over the radius block. This is all spelled out in the first two Bingelis books, =9CThe Sportplane Builder=9D and =9CSportplane Construction Techniques=9D. These two books are essential in building a Pietenpol (or any other scratch-built airplane).Jack PhillipsNX899JPSmith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Original Posted By: Steven Dortch
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Is the metal fabrication realistic for a total newbie?