---------------------------------------------------------- Homebuilt-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 04/11/07: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 09:10 AM - Wooden aircraft vs. metal (Chris In Madison) 2. 09:24 AM - Re: Wooden aircraft vs. metal (Steve Eldredge) 3. 06:40 PM - Re: Wooden aircraft vs. metal (EuropaXSA276@aol.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 09:10:09 AM PST US Subject: Homebuilt-List: Wooden aircraft vs. metal From: "Chris In Madison" Hi all, I've had my eye on several wooden aircraft as of late, one being completely wooden, and a couple having wooden wings and metal bodies. I've started considering them as potential project candidates because I've got plenty of woodworking tools, but would have to invest in a fair amount of tooling if I were to build a sheetmetal aircraft or an aircraft with sheetmetal wings. At first, from reading various articles and postings here and there across the Net, I'd have thought that the cost to construct a wooden aircraft would be less than a metal one. However, after looking at the current prices of wood versus the sheets of aluminum, it doesn't look like I'd be gaining much in the way of cost savings (tool costs not withstanding). But I haven't done a complete cost analysis since I don't have any particular wooden aircraft plans to work with. Does anyone here have experience with both types that can offer any kind of comparison between them, cost or otherwise? I'm not tied to any particular construction method, but am partial to high-wing aircraft such as the Bearhawk (disclaimer: I have plans for this one in hand), Christavia Mk-IV, Falconar S14 Maranda, and Bakeng Deuce. Thanks for any thoughts you may have. Best regards, Chris -------- Chris Owens Waunakee, WI Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=106287#106287 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 09:24:20 AM PST US Subject: RE: Homebuilt-List: Wooden aircraft vs. metal From: "Steve Eldredge" Chris, Just get started. Forget about counting cost. I have neither time or money and I still do it. Any costs you can anticipate will be overshadowed by unforeseen ones later. If you really are concerned about steel vs Aluminum vs wood, buy someones' half-finished project. Every material has gone up in price since I started in this hobby 10 years ago. It is still worth it. I started by building a pietenpol for $5000 in materials, including engine and paint. I bet I could still do it for less than $10K. Advice: worth what you paid for it.... Steve E -----Original Message----- From: owner-homebuilt-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-homebuilt-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Chris In Madison Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:10 AM Subject: Homebuilt-List: Wooden aircraft vs. metal Hi all, I've had my eye on several wooden aircraft as of late, one being completely wooden, and a couple having wooden wings and metal bodies. I've started considering them as potential project candidates because I've got plenty of woodworking tools, but would have to invest in a fair amount of tooling if I were to build a sheetmetal aircraft or an aircraft with sheetmetal wings. At first, from reading various articles and postings here and there across the Net, I'd have thought that the cost to construct a wooden aircraft would be less than a metal one. However, after looking at the current prices of wood versus the sheets of aluminum, it doesn't look like I'd be gaining much in the way of cost savings (tool costs not withstanding). But I haven't done a complete cost analysis since I don't have any particular wooden aircraft plans to work with. Does anyone here have experience with both types that can offer any kind of comparison between them, cost or otherwise? I'm not tied to any particular construction method, but am partial to high-wing aircraft such as the Bearhawk (disclaimer: I have plans for this one in hand), Christavia Mk-IV, Falconar S14 Maranda, and Bakeng Deuce. Thanks for any thoughts you may have. Best regards, Chris -------- Chris Owens Waunakee, WI Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=106287#106287 ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:40:15 PM PST US From: EuropaXSA276@aol.com Subject: Re: Homebuilt-List: Wooden aircraft vs. metal Chris: Have you considered a composite aircraft? Many of your on hand wood working tools and skills will apply to that type of construction. In my humble opinion you get the best bang for the buck with composite construction. But the other gentleman had it right. Start a project that you want to fly. You are in this for the long haul and the money does not go away all at once. So build something that will keep your interest for a number of years. That's how long it will take to build the darn thing! Brian Skelly Europa XS TriGear #A276 North Texas USA You can see my build photos at: http://www.europaowners.org/BrianS ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message homebuilt-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Homebuilt-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/homebuilt-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/homebuilt-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.