---------------------------------------------------------- Pietenpol-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 08/13/14: 10 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 10:49 AM - Building Wing Ribs (Lorenzo) 2. 11:04 AM - Re: Building Wing Ribs (Jack Phillips) 3. 11:44 AM - Re: Building Wing Ribs (larharris2 Harris) 4. 02:46 PM - Re: Building Wing Ribs (larharris2 Harris) 5. 02:57 PM - Re: Building Wing Ribs (Jack Phillips) 6. 04:30 PM - Re: Building Wing Ribs (larharris2 Harris) 7. 05:08 PM - Re: Building Wing Ribs (danhelsper@aol.com) 8. 05:40 PM - Re: Building Wing Ribs (Jack) 9. 06:26 PM - Carb choice for ford (aviken) 10. 11:20 PM - Re: Wing Kits (biplan53) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 10:49:30 AM PST US Subject: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs From: "Lorenzo" I'm just about to finish up building all my wing ribs. I've accomplished the FAA goal of learning a lot while doing this. Here are a few observations for those who have not yet reached this milepost: I steamed, rather than soaked, my capstrips for bending. While many have used the soaking technique with success, my woodworking background makes me uncomfortable soaking already dry wood. The heat, not the moisture is what allows the easy bending of the strip. I already had a steam box (3/4 ply, 8x8x36) from another old project. You could easily make your own & hook up the steam from a kettle and hotplate. One end of the box was closed, and the other sealed with a towel while the strips were steaming for about 30 min. Somewhere in the 'instructions' I recall reading of the 'buggy whip' test. I have used this test with good results. Grab one end of a long, properly dimensioned capstrip and whip it violently once or twice. I found that about 1/3 of the strips would snap off in my hand. I cut these shattered pieces up later for use as the shorter cross bracing. The stout pieces that passed the test were the ones I used for the long, outer capstrips of my ribs. I used the 2-inch hole saw technique for cutting all the gussets. A cheap set of hardware store metal hand shears is all that is needed for cutting them all to final size and shape. The handiest tool I bought for the Piet project has been a Harbor Freight 12-inch benchtop disc sander. The heavy cast-iron plate and med-grit paper makes short work of getting a precise final fit to all those capstrip cross braces (fuselage pieces, too). I cut the bending/drying jig to the same profile as the finished rib upper surface. When removing the steamed capstrips from the jig after drying overnight, there was a small bit of springback that did not worry me. I found a few cases where the dried capstrip had broken at the severest part of the curve during drying. In some other cases, the strip broke when bending it into my assembly jig, in spite of the steaming and pre-bending. Not to worry. These became more short cross-bracing. In one case, after steaming, drying, and assembly of the rib, I found the capstrip split at the severest curve the next morning after the T-88 had cured. I did a T-88 repair on this part since it will be under that 9-inch gusset the length of the leading edge. Maybe others will chime in this threadwith good techniques of their own. Lorenzo Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=428403#428403 Attachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/dscf0639sm_145.jpg http://forums.matronics.com//files/dscf0638sm_290.jpg ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 11:04:30 AM PST US From: "Jack Phillips" Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs Nice write-up, Lorenzo. You might find yourself in demand at Brodhead to teach a rib-building class. Jack Phillips NX899JP Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia -----Original Message----- From: owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Lorenzo Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 1:49 PM Subject: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs I'm just about to finish up building all my wing ribs. I've accomplished the FAA goal of learning a lot while doing this. Here are a few observations for those who have not yet reached this milepost: I steamed, rather than soaked, my capstrips for bending. While many have used the soaking technique with success, my woodworking background makes me uncomfortable soaking already dry wood. The heat, not the moisture is what allows the easy bending of the strip. I already had a steam box (3/4 ply, 8x8x36) from another old project. You could easily make your own & hook up the steam from a kettle and hotplate. One end of the box was closed, and the other sealed with a towel while the strips were steaming for about 30 min. Somewhere in the 'instructions' I recall reading of the 'buggy whip' test. I have used this test with good results. Grab one end of a long, properly dimensioned capstrip and whip it violently once or twice. I found that about 1/3 of the strips would snap off in my hand. I cut these shattered pieces up later for use as the shorter cross bracing. The stout pieces that passed the test were the ones I used for the long, outer capstrips of my ribs. I used the 2-inch hole saw technique for cutting all the gussets. A cheap set of hardware store metal hand shears is all that is needed for cutting them all to final size and shape. The handiest tool I bought for the Piet project has been a Harbor Freight 12-inch benchtop disc sander. The heavy cast-iron plate and med-grit paper makes short work of getting a precise final fit to all those capstrip cross braces (fuselage pieces, too). I cut the bending/drying jig to the same profile as the finished rib upper surface. When removing the steamed capstrips from the jig after drying overnight, there was a small bit of springback that did not worry me. I found a few cases where the dried capstrip had broken at the severest part of the curve during drying. In some other cases, the strip broke when bending it into my assembly jig, in spite of the steaming and pre-bending. Not to worry. These became more short cross-bracing. In one case, after steaming, drying, and assembly of the rib, I found the capstrip split at the severest curve the next morning after the T-88 had cured. I did a T-88 repair on this part since it will be under that 9-inch gusset the length of the leading edge. Maybe others will chime in this threadwith good techniques of their own. Lorenzo Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=428403#428403 Attachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/dscf0639sm_145.jpg http://forums.matronics.com//files/dscf0638sm_290.jpg ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 11:44:34 AM PST US From: larharris2 Harris Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs Oops. :) LH > From: jack@bedfordlandings.com > To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com > Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs > Date: Wed=2C 13 Aug 2014 14:03:43 -0400 > gs.com> > > Nice write-up=2C Lorenzo. You might find yourself in demand at Brodhead to > teach a rib-building class. > > Jack Phillips > NX899JP > Smith Mountain Lake=2C Virginia ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 02:46:47 PM PST US From: larharris2 Harris Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs I'm trying to keep pace with Kenny Crider to get my Piet finished and flyin g by next summer. I think it is still a reasonable goal. But I don't know i f I will have the hours flown off by the time Brodhead rolls around. Coolba ugh was a wizard this year. I certainly want to attend=2C and I don't mind participating in any way which would be helpful=2C but I would hate to show up for my first appearance and present myself as the expert on anything Pi et related. LH > From: jack@bedfordlandings.com > To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com > Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs > Date: Wed=2C 13 Aug 2014 14:03:43 -0400 > gs.com> > > Nice write-up=2C Lorenzo. You might find yourself in demand at Brodhead to > teach a rib-building class. > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 02:57:16 PM PST US From: "Jack Phillips" Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs It typically takes between 1800 and 2500 hours of work to build a Pietenpol. When I built mine, I kept a detailed log and put a total of 2,465 hours into the build. I was working at a full time job and found that I could realistically put in about 10 hours a week on the Pietenpol - a couple hours a night Monday through Thursday, and then another couple hours sometime during the weekend. At such a pace, it takes between 3 and 7 years (it took me 8 years, but for a 2 year stretch while I was designing and building my house, I did no work at all on the airplane) to build one. If you can work full time on the airplane (40+ hours a week), building it in a year or so is a possibility. Don't be in a big hurry to finish it. The building process is highly enjoyable. As the saying goes, take time to "Stop and smell the Sawdust". Jack Phillips NX899JP Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia _____ From: owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-pietenpol-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of larharris2 Harris Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 5:46 PM Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs I'm trying to keep pace with Kenny Crider to get my Piet finished and flying by next summer. I think it is still a reasonable goal. But I don't know if I will have the hours flown off by the time Brodhead rolls around. Coolbaugh was a wizard this year. I certainly want to attend, and I don't mind participating in any way which would be helpful, but I would hate to show up for my first appearance and present myself as the expert on anything Piet related. LH > From: jack@bedfordlandings.com > To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com > Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs > Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:03:43 -0400 > > > Nice write-up, Lorenzo. You might find yourself in demand at Brodhead to > teach a rib-building class. > ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 04:30:47 PM PST US From: larharris2 Harris Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs You are correct about the building being enjoyable. I do very much enjoy it . If I wanted something to fly right now=2C it would be best (and probably cheaper) to just buy something - maybe a flying Piet=2C an Aeronca=2C or Cu b. But I am already anxious to see this project fly. When I'm done I will p robably start on another plane - perhaps an RV to actually go somewhere. In the meantime=2C the Piet is a pleasure=2C and I'm sure it will be a pleasu re to fly. My local airport has never seen anything like it. I'm targeting about 1000 hours of total build time. Actual shop time. I don 't count all those hours reading Uncle Tony's books & widow shopping throug h the Aircraft Spruce catalog. I try to do something every day. Weekends ar e where I can really get involved. Since starting in Feb of this year=2C I' ve got the tail pieces and fuselage done. I should have the wings done in a nother month. Another month to get all the fittings=2C landing gear=2C and assembly done. Engine installation and fabric over the winter. Flying by ea rly summer next year. Maybe optimistic=2C but we'll see. Lorenzo From: jack@bedfordlandings.com Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A =0A It typically takes between 1800 and 2500=0A hours of work to build a Pietenpol. When I built mine=2C I kept a detailed =0A log and put a total of 2=2C465 hours into the build. I was working at a=0A full time job and found that I could realistically put in about 10 hours a week=0A on the Pietenpol ' a couple hours a night Monday through Thursday=2C and =0A then another couple hours sometime during the weekend. At such a pace=2C i t=0A takes between 3 and 7 years (it took me 8 years=2C but for a 2 year stretch while=0A I was designing and building my house=2C I did no work at all on the airpla ne) to=0A build one. If you can work full time on the airplane (40+ hours a week)=2C =0A building it in a year or so is a possibility.=0A =0A =0A =0A Don=92t be in a big hurry to finish=0A it. The building process is highly enjoyable. As the saying goes=2C=0A take time to =93Stop and smell the Sawdust=94.=0A =0A =0A =0A Jack Phillips=0A =0A NX899JP=0A =0A Smith Mountain Lake=2C Virginia=0A =0A ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 05:08:54 PM PST US Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs From: danhelsper@aol.com Lorenzo,=0A=0A=0AYou certainly would be more than welcome, and v ery much appreciated as a presenter at a Brodhead forum in this regard. You have legitimately conceived, proven, and finish ed a full phase of the build. Everyone, I am sure, would be grateful and appreciative. =0A=0A=0ADan Helsper=0APuryear, TN=0A=0A =0A=0A-----Original Message-----=0AFrom: larharris2 Harris =0ATo: pietenpol-list =0ASent: Wed, Aug 13, 2014 4:47 pm=0ASubject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Win g Ribs=0A=0A=0A=0AI'm trying to keep pace with Kenny Crider to get my Piet finished and flying by next summer. I think it is still a reasonable goal. But I don't know if I wil l have the hours flown off by the time Brodhead rolls arou nd. Coolbaugh was a wizard this year. I certainly want to attend, and I don't mind participating in any way which woul d be helpful, but I would hate to show up for my first appearance and present myself as the expert on anything Piet related.=0A =0ALH=0A =0A=0A =0A=0A> From: jack@bedfordlandings.com=0A> To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com=0A> Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: B uilding Wing Ribs=0A> Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:03:43 -0400=0A jack@bedfordlandings.com>=0A> =0A> Nice write-up, Lorenzo. You mi ght find yourself in demand at Brodhead to=0A> teach a rib-b =========================== =========================== =========================== =========================== =========================== =========================== =========================== ==================0A=0A=0A=0A ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 05:40:36 PM PST US Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs From: Jack Very nice Lorenzo! I agree on the sander, the best tool purchased for my pro ject... Sent from my iPad Jack Textor > On Aug 13, 2014, at 6:30 PM, larharris2 Harris wrote: > > You are correct about the building being enjoyable. I do very much enjoy i t. If I wanted something to fly right now, it would be best (and probably ch eaper) to just buy something - maybe a flying Piet, an Aeronca, or Cub. But I am already anxious to see this project fly. When I'm done I will probably s tart on another plane - perhaps an RV to actually go somewhere. In the meant ime, the Piet is a pleasure, and I'm sure it will be a pleasure to fly. My l ocal airport has never seen anything like it. > > I'm targeting about 1000 hours of total build time. Actual shop time. I do n't count all those hours reading Uncle Tony's books & widow shopping throug h the Aircraft Spruce catalog. I try to do something every day. Weekends are where I can really get involved. Since starting in Feb of this year, I've g ot the tail pieces and fuselage done. I should have the wings done in anothe r month. Another month to get all the fittings, landing gear, and assembly d one. Engine installation and fabric over the winter. Flying by early summer n ext year. Maybe optimistic, but we'll see. > > Lorenzo > > > > From: jack@bedfordlandings.com > To: pietenpol-list@matronics.com > Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Building Wing Ribs > Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:56:25 -0400 > > It typically takes between 1800 and 2500 hours of work to build a Pietenpo l. When I built mine, I kept a detailed log and put a total of 2,465 hours i nto the build. I was working at a full time job and found that I could real istically put in about 10 hours a week on the Pietenpol =93 a couple h ours a night Monday through Thursday, and then another couple hours sometime during the weekend. At such a pace, it takes between 3 and 7 years (it too k me 8 years, but for a 2 year stretch while I was designing and building my house, I did no work at all on the airplane) to build one. If you can work full time on the airplane (40+ hours a week), building it in a year or so i s a possibility. > > > > Don=99t be in a big hurry to finish it. The building process is hig hly enjoyable. As the saying goes, take time to =9CStop and smell the Sawdust=9D. > > > > Jack Phillips > > NX899JP > > Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia > > > > > 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D > ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 06:26:19 PM PST US Subject: Pietenpol-List: Carb choice for ford From: "aviken" I need a little advice here.. In choosing a possible carb for my Jeep engine powered piet, I tried a universal four cyl carb made years ago for tractors fork lifts ect. It was brand new in the box, but it was very heavy and bulky. Then I did a little research and it seemed some ford powered piets use the Tillotson X Carb. So I bought one of them. It is small and light but what concerns me is the small flimsy throttle arm. It seems like a very weak link to risk your life on a piece of pot metal not much thicker than a kitchen match with a little ball end to attatch your cable to. What other options should I look at? Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=428417#428417 ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 11:20:12 PM PST US Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Wing Kits From: "biplan53" How did you come up with an extra set of ribs? I am building a steel fuselage too. I copied Aerojake and I am putting a door in the front seat. Have not figured out the hinge yet. Also added about 7inches to the front seat area. I have a wooden fuselage at the shop I am going to build the steel gear and brackets for. If my friend puts the engine he wants on it, it will be something neat. He wants to put a Donavan Model D engine in it. The model D is a copy of a model A that is made to race engine specs. It is made of aluminum with a chevy 350 bearings and billet crank, forged rods and pistons. The ports are fashioned on 350 ports. It is expensive but still cheaper than a new plane engine. -------- Building steel fuselage aircamper. 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