---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith601-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sun 08/10/08: 9 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 08:34 AM - Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter (lwinger) 2. 09:29 AM - Fw: Mid top pucker, gold oil top cover (Bill Naumuk) 3. 10:16 AM - Re: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter (Craig Payne) 4. 01:01 PM - Re: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter (Jim Belcher) 5. 01:34 PM - Re: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter (Craig Payne) 6. 01:46 PM - Re: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter (Jim Belcher) 7. 02:35 PM - Re: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter (David Downey) 8. 04:59 PM - Re: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter (LarryMcFarland) 9. 05:31 PM - Re: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter (Jim Belcher) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 08:34:55 AM PST US Subject: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter From: "lwinger" With the importance of properly tensioned control cables, would there be any interest in a "floating" aircraft cable tension meter? The expense of nearly $800 makes it hard to justify for one builder with one plane. It seems like two options could work. Option A: Shared purchase/unlimited future use for the cost of one-way shipping to the next user (by a group of at least 16 builders chipping in $50) Option B: Rental at $xx (plus one-way shipping to the next user) with one builder buying and owning the unit. Any interest out there? If so, please reply with the option that you might be interested in. If I get at least 16 "Option A" responses, I'll pick one up ASAP. BTW, I know there are other ways to calibrate our cables. This is just to investigate how to make a purpose-built quality tool available to the broader group. I've attached the instructions for the Tensitron ACM-100 from Aircraft Spruce. Thanks. -------- Larry Winger Tustin, CA Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair Control surfaces and wings complete Fuselage 50% www.mykitlog.com/lwinger Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=197705#197705 Attachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/tensitron_instructions_205.pdf ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 09:29:30 AM PST US From: "Bill Naumuk" Subject: Zenith601-List: Fw: Mid top pucker, gold oil top cover ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Naumuk Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 12:27 PM Subject: Mid top pucker, gold oil top cover All- Back to Zenith Construction Problemsolving 101. Applying siding is child's play compared to working on the project! 1. My gold oil top cover came from WW and subsequently I just had to tear the rear accessory cover and pulley back off. The gold oil top cover is an essential part if you're not using a remote oil system. What isn't evident until you actually get the cover is that there is a bushing that has to be pressed out of the factory rear cover to allow you to install it. The advantages of the gold oil cover are the ability to use an integral oil filter and ports for the oil temp and pressure senders. Check into this before you start bolting things together. 2. My first thought re: mid skin pucker was to lap the side skins over the mid skin. Larry Mac talked me out of it, because this is an opportunity for water to enter the inner airframe. Perhaps a better way of approaching the problem was suggested by Jeff Small. "Spoon" a little bit of curvature into the junction area. Good building. (I hope I actually get some in!!) Bill Naumuk Townville, Pa. HDS 601MG/Corvair 95% ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 10:16:10 AM PST US From: "Craig Payne" Subject: RE: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter Why not build one for peanuts like Larry McFarland did? Look at http://www.macsmachine.com/ under "Tools, Jigging & Handling". Cable Tools" -- Craig -----Original Message----- From: owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of lwinger Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 9:35 AM Subject: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter With the importance of properly tensioned control cables, would there be any interest in a "floating" aircraft cable tension meter? The expense of nearly $800 makes it hard to justify for one builder with one plane. It seems like two options could work. Option A: Shared purchase/unlimited future use for the cost of one-way shipping to the next user (by a group of at least 16 builders chipping in $50) Option B: Rental at $xx (plus one-way shipping to the next user) with one builder buying and owning the unit. Any interest out there? If so, please reply with the option that you might be interested in. If I get at least 16 "Option A" responses, I'll pick one up ASAP. BTW, I know there are other ways to calibrate our cables. This is just to investigate how to make a purpose-built quality tool available to the broader group. I've attached the instructions for the Tensitron ACM-100 from Aircraft Spruce. Thanks. -------- Larry Winger Tustin, CA Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair Control surfaces and wings complete Fuselage 50% www.mykitlog.com/lwinger Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=197705#197705 Attachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/tensitron_instructions_205.pdf ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 01:01:33 PM PST US From: Jim Belcher Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter On Sunday 10 August 2008 12:15, Craig Payne wrote: > > > Why not build one for peanuts like Larry McFarland did? Look at > http://www.macsmachine.com/ under "Tools, Jigging & Handling". Cable Tools" > I like the idea ... but I wonder how this is used after the cables are installed in the aircraft, which is when the measurement really needs to be made? There are also some less expensive alternatives out there, such as: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/cablegauge.php. Wicks also has a cable tension gauge for $89.99 in the last of their catalogs I got. I suspect the difference in price is ease of use, and accuracy. If it is only going to be used a few times, then ease of use is not quite as important as it might be. And, how accurate must it really be? -- ================================================ Jim B. Belcher BS, MS Physics, math, Computer Science A&P/IA Instrument Rated Pilot General Radio Telephone Certificate ================================================ ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 01:34:06 PM PST US From: "Craig Payne" Subject: RE: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter The picture on Larry's site showing the gauge with the bucket hanging on the cable just shows the calibration procedure. As Larry said in another message "I built one that is real simple and have used it off and on for 4 years." So I believe he is using it to check cables in the plane. I looked at the one on the Wicks site. The design is very similar to Larry's home-made gauge. But it doesn't seem to go low enough for the cables in the Zenith planes: http://www.wicksaircraft.com/catalog/product_cat.php/subid=1814/index.html "Ranges 3/32: 70-300lbs, 1/8: 100-500 lbs. 5/32: 140-800 lbs. Fits cable sizes 3/32, 1/8, 5/32." The Burroughs gauges in the Spruce catalog appear to be sensitive enough: "Tension range: 10-70lbs. for 1/16" cable, 15 - 70 lbs. for 3/32 & 1/8" cable. 50-350 lbs. on 5/32" & 3/16" cable." You can always check the accuracy of the cheaper commercial gauges using the same approach shown on Larry's web site. -- Craig -----Original Message----- From: owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Jim Belcher Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 2:03 PM Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter On Sunday 10 August 2008 12:15, Craig Payne wrote: > > > Why not build one for peanuts like Larry McFarland did? Look at > http://www.macsmachine.com/ under "Tools, Jigging & Handling". Cable Tools" > I like the idea ... but I wonder how this is used after the cables are installed in the aircraft, which is when the measurement really needs to be made? There are also some less expensive alternatives out there, such as: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/cablegauge.php. Wicks also has a cable tension gauge for $89.99 in the last of their catalogs I got. I suspect the difference in price is ease of use, and accuracy. If it is only going to be used a few times, then ease of use is not quite as important as it might be. And, how accurate must it really be? -- ================================================ Jim B. Belcher BS, MS Physics, math, Computer Science A&P/IA Instrument Rated Pilot General Radio Telephone Certificate ================================================ ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 01:46:05 PM PST US From: Jim Belcher Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter On Sunday 10 August 2008 15:33, Craig Payne wrote: > > > The picture on Larry's site showing the gauge with the bucket hanging on > the cable just shows the calibration procedure. As Larry said in another > message "I built one that is real simple and have used it off and on for 4 > years." So I believe he is using it to check cables in the plane. > > I looked at the one on the Wicks site. The design is very similar to > Larry's home-made gauge. But it doesn't seem to go low enough for the > cables in the Zenith planes: I think you're correct about the range of the Wicks gauge. I'd be curious to know how Larry uses his gauge with the cables installed. -- ================================================ Jim B. Belcher BS, MS Physics, math, Computer Science A&P/IA Instrument Rated Pilot General Radio Telephone Certificate ================================================ ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 02:35:52 PM PST US From: David Downey Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter I think his gauge simply clips over the cables and indicates tension after calibrating on the cable stretched by the weight in the bucket via the bell crank. I don't think the entire setup in the photos is the gauge - it is si mply a method to tension a cable with a dead weight. The the gauge spring l oads across the cable in the A/C. I wonder if he has one for every diameter cable/cable construction since th ere is a small effect that is related directly to the cable diameter and co nstruction? David L. Downey Harleysville-(SE) PA, USA --- On Sun, 8/10/08, Jim Belcher wrote: From: Jim Belcher Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter On Sunday 10 August 2008 15:33, Craig Payne wrote: > > > The picture on Larry's site showing the gauge with the bucket hanging on > the cable just shows the calibration procedure. As Larry said in another > message "I built one that is real simple and have used it off and on for 4 > years." So I believe he is using it to check cables in the plane. > > I looked at the one on the Wicks site. The design is very similar to > Larry's home-made gauge. But it doesn't seem to go low enough for the > cables in the Zenith planes: I think you're correct about the range of the Wicks gauge. I'd be curious to know how Larry uses his gauge with the cables installed. -- ======================= Jim B. Belcher BS, MS Physics, math, Computer Science A&P/IA Instrument Rated Pilot General Radio Telephone Certificate ======================= =0A=0A=0A ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 04:59:18 PM PST US From: LarryMcFarland Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter Hi guys, The gage is constructed to be placed on an installed cable. The gage is opened against the spring enough to allow the pulley geometry to open enough to slip over the cable. The spring pulls on the leverage and tries to bring the cable around a bend and closes enough for you to read the pounds marked on the gage. The preload to mark actual pounds before checking is direct and very reliable. The only difficulty was finding a spring that had the stretch and range to retain its shape. It was music wire of .025 diameter outside diameter .275 diameter and approximately 1.62 inches long. http://www.macsmachine.com/images/tjh/cabletools/full/tension3.gif http://www.macsmachine.com/images/tjh/cabletools/full/tension4.gif http://www.macsmachine.com/images/tjh/cabletools/full/tenscalbrate.gif The geometry of the two halves and wheels are best seen in the links above. Larry McFarland Jim Belcher wrote: > > On Sunday 10 August 2008 15:33, Craig Payne wrote: > >> >> >> The picture on Larry's site showing the gauge with the bucket hanging on >> the cable just shows the calibration procedure. As Larry said in another >> message "I built one that is real simple and have used it off and on for 4 >> years." So I believe he is using it to check cables in the plane. >> >> I looked at the one on the Wicks site. The design is very similar to >> Larry's home-made gauge. But it doesn't seem to go low enough for the >> cables in the Zenith planes: >> > > I think you're correct about the range of the Wicks gauge. I'd be curious to > know how Larry uses his gauge with the cables installed. > ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 05:31:38 PM PST US From: Jim Belcher Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter On Sunday 10 August 2008 18:58, LarryMcFarland wrote: > > > Hi guys, > The gage is constructed to be placed on an installed cable. The gage is > opened against the spring enough to allow the pulley > geometry to open enough to slip over the cable. The spring pulls on the > leverage and tries to bring the cable around a bend > and closes enough for you to read the pounds marked on the gage. The > preload to mark actual pounds before checking > is direct and very reliable. The only difficulty was finding a spring > that had the stretch and range to retain its shape. > It was music wire of .025 diameter outside diameter .275 diameter and > approximately 1.62 inches long. > http://www.macsmachine.com/images/tjh/cabletools/full/tension3.gif > http://www.macsmachine.com/images/tjh/cabletools/full/tension4.gif > http://www.macsmachine.com/images/tjh/cabletools/full/tenscalbrate.gif > The geometry of the two halves and wheels are best seen in the links above. Now it makes sense. Thanks for the photos and explanation. It sounds as though Mr. Downey's understanding is correct. ================================================ Jim B. Belcher BS, MS Physics, math, Computer Science A&P/IA Instrument Rated Pilot General Radio Telephone Certificate ================================================ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message zenith601-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Zenith601-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/zenith601-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/zenith601-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.