Search found 112 matches

by Brian Amato
Fri Nov 12, 2021 5:21 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Pietenpol Aircamper for sale
Replies: 1
Views: 3191

Pietenpol Aircamper for sale

We lost our good friend, Piet builder and BPA member, John Greenlee. His wife, Maryann would consider selling his lovely Aircamper if anyone is interested. It's a real beauty. In fact, it's on the cover of the recent newsletter. That's John, in his Piet, taxiing it. It's in Bowie, TX If anyone is in...
by Brian Amato
Fri Oct 23, 2020 1:53 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: What about an ultralight?
Replies: 1
Views: 2504

What about an ultralight?

OK...here's the deal. Realizing I don't have enough lifetime or wherewithal left to finish this project as an honest to God Aircamper, and since I have these lovely Ribs and Tail Feathers all done, and the aileron horns all fashioned, it occurred to me "maybe I could turn this into an ultraligh...
by Brian Amato
Thu Feb 13, 2020 10:56 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Pietenpol ribs for sale
Replies: 3
Views: 4121

Re: Pietenpol ribs for sale

Very nicely done
by Brian Amato
Wed Feb 12, 2020 6:52 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Piet parts for sale
Replies: 2
Views: 3816

Re: Piet parts for sale

No one? Not even curious?
by Brian Amato
Wed Feb 05, 2020 10:32 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Piet parts for sale
Replies: 2
Views: 3816

Piet parts for sale

I've struggled with this decision but I realize now, at my age, I'm not likely to finish the Air Camper project I have under construction, I'm too lame to get in and out of it and I have no where to store it so..... I have the entire set of ribs all done and looking very nice. You can see some photo...
by Brian Amato
Mon Jan 06, 2020 10:12 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Photo update from my airplane factory
Replies: 7
Views: 5565

Re: Photo update from my airplane factory

Looks like terrific work....and how lucky you are to have such a nice big area to work in.
by Brian Amato
Tue Oct 22, 2019 8:17 am
Forum: Photo Section
Topic: Dan's lovely Piet
Replies: 0
Views: 5866

Dan's lovely Piet

Congrats to Dan Helsper and the terrific two page color photo spread of his Air Camper in the recent issue of EAA's Sport Aviation. Over Brodhead at sunset. Terrific
by Brian Amato
Tue Oct 08, 2019 3:53 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: 4130 vs 1020
Replies: 10
Views: 9298

Re: 4130 vs 1020

4130 is very easy to gas weld. I built my entire Corben Jr. Ace fuselage out of 4130 and it welds like a dream. I know....that probably sounds like a smart a## thing to say if you're just starting to weld but, really, it's pretty easy after you've done a little practicing.
Use mild steel rod.
by Brian Amato
Mon Aug 19, 2019 9:25 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir
Replies: 8
Views: 7354

Re: Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir

Bass wood in other areas: Good idea ......I might be able to use it in other areas. It's lovely stuff !!
by Brian Amato
Wed Aug 14, 2019 11:29 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir
Replies: 8
Views: 7354

Re: Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir

I agree with Oscar. Best to follow the plans. Guys that think they have a better idea and start changing things wind up chasing their tail through the whole build. Just not worth it.
by Brian Amato
Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:23 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir
Replies: 8
Views: 7354

Re: Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir

Thanks everybody. More a case of lazy and frugal on my part than anything else. A good friend had this basswood and offered it to me. I built the Corben Jr. Ace using nice, straight grain, Doug Fir and it was terrific. Even the FAA inspector said it was superior to much of what he sees. We have a sm...
by Brian Amato
Mon Aug 12, 2019 6:36 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir
Replies: 8
Views: 7354

Re: Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir

Fair enough. No basswood
by Brian Amato
Sun Aug 11, 2019 2:47 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir
Replies: 8
Views: 7354

Bass wood vs sitka or Doug Fir

I've been offered some lovely 2" thick, 16' long bass wood by a friend who has been storing them for years. I'm wondering about planing and ripping them for the longerons. I have the rest of the wood (Sitka) for uprights and cross members but I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts about bass ...
by Brian Amato
Sat Aug 10, 2019 8:34 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Fuselage gussets
Replies: 6
Views: 5508

Re: Fuselage gussets

Thanks Tom. By "sheets"...what size did you mean?
B
by Brian Amato
Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:36 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Fuselage gussets
Replies: 6
Views: 5508

Re: Fuselage gussets

Love it Oscar....I always forget about the airplane supply isle at Lowes.
B
by Brian Amato
Fri Aug 09, 2019 8:09 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Fuselage gussets
Replies: 6
Views: 5508

Fuselage gussets

Where have you guys been buying your 1/8" plywood for the fuselage gussets? Aircraft Spruce? Boat Builders supply houses? Home Depot?
I'm ready to start the fuselage and wondering what you've been doing about this stuff?
Brian
by Brian Amato
Sun Aug 04, 2019 7:10 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Building the fuselage
Replies: 8
Views: 6653

Re: Building the fuselage

Thanks guys !!
by Brian Amato
Sat Aug 03, 2019 1:36 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Building the fuselage
Replies: 8
Views: 6653

Re: Building the fuselage

Thanks guys....makes perfect sense. (Nice welding, my the way) As I look at your photos, I see the mid braces and cross braces at both the top and bottom of the fuselage, don't actually touch the longerons but touch the gussets at the longerons. Does everyone agree that's as it should be? Can't see ...
by Brian Amato
Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:43 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Building the fuselage
Replies: 8
Views: 6653

Re: Building the fuselage

Sounds like a plan EAB4. So you're saying, the fuselage is mostly assembled including the inside and outside gussets at each of the longereon/strut joints but not the plywood sides. The plywood sides act like one giant gusset really. You've boxed the fuselage all together except for the plywood side...
by Brian Amato
Thu Aug 01, 2019 12:50 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Building the fuselage
Replies: 8
Views: 6653

Building the fuselage

I'm ready to start the fuselage and I not only want it to be strong and to the correct dimensions, I want it to be fairly attractive when you looking inside the cockpit. I can already see where I could wind up with some unattractive glue "ooze-out" between the plywood sides and the struts ...
by Brian Amato
Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:28 am
Forum: Photo Section
Topic: Detail Photos of a completed Piet
Replies: 3
Views: 5581

Re: Detail Photos of a completed Piet

Yes....John Eagen. That's the guy
by Brian Amato
Wed Jul 31, 2019 9:10 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Photos of a completed Aircamper, uncovered
Replies: 8
Views: 6308

Re: Photos of a completed Aircamper, uncovered

Great. Hope it will be of some help to all of us still working through the "what the heck are the plans trying to show here" phase and at least see how another guy did it. For sure, there will be those who say "naaa....that's not right. He didn't do it the way the plans show..." ...
by Brian Amato
Wed Jul 31, 2019 8:52 am
Forum: Photo Section
Topic: Detail Photos of a completed Piet
Replies: 3
Views: 5581

Re: Detail Photos of a completed Piet

Here's a better idea....go to this album:
https://myalbum.com/album/bNQLRUSE6foQ
by Brian Amato
Wed Jul 31, 2019 8:49 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Photos of a completed Aircamper, uncovered
Replies: 8
Views: 6308

Re: Photos of a completed Aircamper, uncovered

See if you guys can open this album. This is a first for me.
https://myalbum.com/album/bNQLRUSE6foQ
by Brian Amato
Wed Jul 31, 2019 8:42 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Photos of a completed Aircamper, uncovered
Replies: 8
Views: 6308

Re: Photos of a completed Aircamper, uncovered

Makes sense. Let me figure out how to make an album. Any words of advice?
by Brian Amato
Wed Jul 31, 2019 7:41 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Photos of a completed Aircamper, uncovered
Replies: 8
Views: 6308

Photos of a completed Aircamper, uncovered

Just got back from Brodhead and Oshkosh. EAA was featuring the Corben and the Pietenpol and a guy (I've forgotten his name but he's on staff at EAA) had is Aircamper on display. Appeared to be completely done and ready to cover. It gave us all a terrific chance to walk around and see how every littl...
by Brian Amato
Wed Jul 31, 2019 7:40 am
Forum: Photo Section
Topic: Detail Photos of a completed Piet
Replies: 3
Views: 5581

Detail Photos of a completed Piet

Just got back from Brodhead and Oshkosh. EAA was featuring the Corben and the Pietenpol and a guy (I've forgotten his name but he's on staff at EAA) had is Aircamper on display. Appeared to be completely done and ready to cover. It gave us all a terrific chance to walk around and see how every littl...
by Brian Amato
Mon Jul 29, 2019 12:04 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Pietenpol landing gear complete
Replies: 3
Views: 4454

Re: Pietenpol landing gear complete

So....where are you with this?
by Brian Amato
Sat Jul 27, 2019 7:38 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Materials to build my elevator
Replies: 6
Views: 5107

Re: Materials to build my elevator

My two or three cents input on this and then I'll shut up and just lurk and read: For years, my brother and I built boats using good ol' "Weldwood Brown Powder Glue" The description is: Weldwood® Plastic Resin Glue is a powdered, ureaformaldehyde wood glue activated by mixing with water. F...
by Brian Amato
Wed Jul 03, 2019 3:38 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Adjustable seat
Replies: 3
Views: 4515

Re: Adjustable seat

I love that snow shoe weave. Light and looks "old timey"
Brian
by Brian Amato
Wed Jun 12, 2019 7:27 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brodhead Reunion Forums
Replies: 6
Views: 5590

Re: Brodhead Reunion Forums

I'm with you Oscar. Back when I built the Corben Jr. Ace, the favorite wood glue at the time was FPL-16. (Forest Products Laboratories recipe number 16). Messy stuff, left white stains on anything it touched but boy did it hold two pieces of wood together! Now everybody thinks your airplane is going...
by Brian Amato
Tue Jun 11, 2019 7:47 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Brodhead Reunion Forums
Replies: 6
Views: 5590

Re: Brodhead Reunion Forums

I'd like to see someone talk about the merits of glue like the tried and true Weldwood "cold water brown powder glue" we've all used for years, vs T-88 vs something like Titebond-III. All very popular and proven for boat building.
by Brian Amato
Fri May 31, 2019 10:12 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: pietenpol naer completion for sale
Replies: 2
Views: 4159

Re: pietenpol naer completion for sale

I'd be interested in the engine too...
by Brian Amato
Fri May 31, 2019 10:10 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Pietenpol landing gear complete
Replies: 3
Views: 4454

Re: Pietenpol landing gear complete

Joe...can I see some Pics?
Brian
kwesting2@gmail.com
by Brian Amato
Fri Apr 26, 2019 9:16 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Engine value question
Replies: 3
Views: 3542

Re: Engine value question

Ordaz: You don't want to try to do a babbitt job by yourself. In fact, you can't unless you have all the specialized equipment. I help my buddy here in town who spent a lot of money and time learning the trade and has all the equipment. Heater and crucible to melt the babbitt, the dams you need to f...
by Brian Amato
Tue Apr 16, 2019 8:45 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Engine value question
Replies: 3
Views: 3542

Re: Engine value question

What shape is the Model A engine in? Was it just recently rebuilt? How long has it been sitting without running? I'd pull the pan and get a look at the Babbitt job and see if there are any pieces of Babbitt floating around in there. No joke. We find it all the time. Guys that don't know how to do a ...
by Brian Amato
Sat Apr 06, 2019 1:25 pm
Forum: Photo Section
Topic: A call for photos
Replies: 3
Views: 4741

Re: A call for photos

Thanks to those of you who were kind enough to send me photos. The article is done and awaiting publication. They told me it will be the May-June issue of "The Restorer" magazine. The official magazine of MAFCA....Model A Ford Club of America. Once it's actually mailed out, I'll provide a ...
by Brian Amato
Fri Apr 05, 2019 8:08 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Spring 2019 Newsletter
Replies: 1
Views: 2977

Re: Spring 2019 Newsletter

Terrific job with the latest news letter. I know what a chore it is....I do our Model A Ford club NL and it takes hours.
Thanks for all your hard work !
by Brian Amato
Mon Mar 11, 2019 6:42 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Foam Brushes.....
Replies: 2
Views: 3463

Re: Foam Brushes.....

Yup. Doesn't seem to matter if you buy them at the dollar store or a paint store...all the same to me.
I had that happen to me when I was building the Corben. In the end, after it had dried well, I just used maroon Scotchbright pads and it knocked them right off and I was good to go.
by Brian Amato
Wed Mar 06, 2019 9:36 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Empannage ready for prime (again)
Replies: 2
Views: 3384

Re: Empannage ready for prime (again)

The covered tail feathers look great. Tell us how the Graco works out for you.
by Brian Amato
Mon Mar 04, 2019 1:42 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Elevator Covering Time Lapse Video
Replies: 4
Views: 4409

Re: Elevator Covering Time Lapse Video

Hi Oscar. Yea, that's what I thought. That's the same system I used on the Corben Jr. Ace only back then it was called something else. I really liked NO Fumes and water cleanup. It came out great for me. For the final paint job, though, I went to Randolph and used their line of Dope for the fabric a...
by Brian Amato
Mon Mar 04, 2019 9:11 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Elevator Covering Time Lapse Video
Replies: 4
Views: 4409

Re: Elevator Covering Time Lapse Video

What covering system are you using and do you like it so far?
by Brian Amato
Sun Mar 03, 2019 12:36 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Metal Fittings
Replies: 9
Views: 8190

Re: Metal Fittings

To our buddy in France: I posted this before and I'll pass it along again. Maybe it will be of help to you: Guys, I'm just passing this source along. I have no vested interest in his business. I found him doing a web search for all things Pietenpol. I wound up buying his set of control horns, all la...
by Brian Amato
Sun Feb 17, 2019 8:02 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Horns and fittings
Replies: 2
Views: 3764

Horns and fittings

Guys, I'm just passing this source along. I have no vested interest in his business. I found him doing a web search for all things Pietenpol. I wound up buying his set of control horns, all laser cut from 4130 and perfect to the correct dimensions. Yesterday I bought his set of fuselage and tail fit...
by Brian Amato
Sun Feb 10, 2019 12:03 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bending Strips for Ribs
Replies: 5
Views: 4855

Re: Bending Strips for Ribs

And, if you can, find you some nice, straight grain Douglas Fir. What your lumber guy will call Vertical Grain Doug Fir. It's an acceptable substitute for Sitka, according to the FAA and so much cheaper. Just look closely at the grain of the stuff you're buying. I was talking to Andrew Pietenpol the...
by Brian Amato
Thu Feb 07, 2019 6:59 am
Forum: Photo Section
Topic: A call for photos
Replies: 3
Views: 4741

Re: A call for photos

Thanks Oscar and, yes, it really is a beautiful example. So nice I have it as my computer screen desktop background. Gives me encouragement every time I look at it.
B
by Brian Amato
Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:07 am
Forum: Photo Section
Topic: A call for photos
Replies: 3
Views: 4741

A call for photos

Hey guys, I'm very much involved in Model A Fords and I write a few articles each year for both "The Restorer" and "Model A News" magazines. The staff of "The Restorer" have asked me to write a photo story about the the history of the Pietenpol and the Model A engine th...
by Brian Amato
Sun Feb 03, 2019 7:08 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bending Strips for Ribs
Replies: 5
Views: 4855

Re: Bending Strips for Ribs

I went to Home Depot plumbing dept. and bought a length of 4" PVC pipe and a PVC cap. I already had some PVC cement. The tubing only needs to be about 4 feet long because you're only worried about wetting out the first foot or so of the cap strips anyway. After I had a fist full of cap strips r...
by Brian Amato
Fri Feb 01, 2019 3:08 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: forming control horns
Replies: 8
Views: 6307

Re: forming control horns

Tom.....that's brilliant !!
Thanx