Search found 637 matches

by taildrags
Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:38 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: cockpit covers
Replies: 21
Views: 2334

Re: cockpit covers

That style of cover should ride out of the slipstream, so less buffeting and drumming than covers that follow the top curve of the fuselage. I'm going with the curved style since it should also serve to shed rain.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Mon Nov 21, 2022 10:54 pm
Forum: Photo Section
Topic: NX3469B Project Photos
Replies: 16
Views: 2008

Re: NX3469B Project Photos

EXCELLENT collection of photos! Very nice airplane, handsome work on it. Congratulations!

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:20 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: cockpit covers
Replies: 21
Views: 2334

Re: cockpit covers

Wow. I just viewed the little how-to demonstration video on Sailrite's site and I think I'm sold on their Loxx fasteners and method! Like you, I already have snaps around the cockpits for the non-flight covers, but I think I'll do what you did and introduce the Loxx fasteners for the front cockpit a...
by taildrags
Thu Nov 17, 2022 10:40 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: cockpit covers
Replies: 21
Views: 2334

Re: cockpit covers

Ken, thanks for the excellent ideas and details. At the moment I'm fixated on sheet aluminum for a cover, but I haven't finalized my thinking yet. Earlier I had thought of ripstop nylon, but I can just see that diaphragm drumming in the wind and propwash and I don't want that. I'm encouraged by your...
by taildrags
Thu Nov 17, 2022 10:39 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Elevator bellcrank cable connection
Replies: 9
Views: 915

Re: Elevator bellcrank cable connection

John, note that you can use some AN111 cable bushings through AN100 cable thimbles to secure the cable ends to the bellcrank by passing a bolt through them. Various ways to skin this cat.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:29 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Elevator bellcrank cable connection
Replies: 9
Views: 915

Re: Elevator bellcrank cable connection

Browsing around Westcoastpiet, there are plenty of different setups at that bellcrank. Here's Chris Tracy's.

-Oscar
Chris.JPG
by taildrags
Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:16 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Elevator bellcrank cable connection
Replies: 9
Views: 915

Re: Elevator bellcrank cable connection

Are you talking about the bellcrank inside the fuselage, behind the pilot's seat?

-Oscar
by taildrags
Wed Nov 16, 2022 10:14 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: cockpit covers
Replies: 21
Views: 2334

Re: cockpit covers

Ken; and you fly the plane with the front cover in place? Secure?

-Oscar
by taildrags
Tue Nov 08, 2022 4:40 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: cockpit covers
Replies: 21
Views: 2334

Re: cockpit covers

I'll be at the hangar this weekend and will make some sketches of my cover scheme.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun Nov 06, 2022 10:31 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: cockpit covers
Replies: 21
Views: 2334

Re: cockpit covers

I'm thinking I'm going to try to shape some aluminum tubing (small diameter) into a shape that follows the outline of the front cockpit and fits snugly over the coaming. Then one or two fore & aft stiffening tubes with pulled rivet gussets, then an aluminum skin riveted onto the tubular frame. W...
by taildrags
Fri Nov 04, 2022 10:54 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: cockpit covers
Replies: 21
Views: 2334

cockpit covers

Since it's been pretty quiet on this forum and we're starting to get into the no-fly winter season (for me, at least), I thought I would reopen a thread from the past... cockpit covers. I have a couple of ideas for a cover for my front cockpit and I'm going to tackle it this winter. If anyone else i...
by taildrags
Wed Oct 19, 2022 11:09 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Tiger Moth style tanks??
Replies: 5
Views: 809

Re: Tiger Moth style tanks??

I believe Kevin Purtee has that style tank on his Piet, but I don't know if he's on this discussion board. I know he's over on the Pietenpol facebook page.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Tue Oct 18, 2022 3:50 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: which rib tape?
Replies: 5
Views: 819

Re: which rib tape?

JimBob; they said the same as me because I'm an "old timer" too! I'm 71 years old and piloting a plane that was designed 93 years ago, sonny boy! :lol:

-Oscar
by taildrags
Mon Oct 10, 2022 10:54 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: which rib tape?
Replies: 5
Views: 819

Re: which rib tape?

JimBob; I'm not familiar with the Stewart System, but in the Polyfiber world, anti-chafe tape is used to put over sharp corners, metal edges, and rough joints before putting the fabric on over those. Reinforcing tape has a different purpose: it's laid down over the fabric directly on top of the rib ...
by taildrags
Sun Sep 25, 2022 10:35 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Is exterior of floor covered or painted
Replies: 8
Views: 1070

Re: Is exterior of floor covered or painted

My airplane does have vertical strip of wood running down the underside from firewall aft, which means that the belly fabric does not touch the plywood except at the longerons. Perhaps the slight 'v' shape along the belly can be seen in this pic: gear_small.jpg Oscar Zuniga Medford, OR Air Camper NX...
by taildrags
Sun Sep 25, 2022 3:38 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Is exterior of floor covered or painted
Replies: 8
Views: 1070

Re: Is exterior of floor covered or painted

Boy, now I'll have to go look at my plane because I think mine has a 'razor ridge' running down the belly, similar to the ones on the sides to hold the fabric away from the wood and turn flat panels into slightly prism-shaped ones. Stand by...

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Tue Aug 23, 2022 10:41 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Stewart Systems fabric
Replies: 3
Views: 1222

Re: Stewart Systems fabric

When you think about it, the Maule series of aircraft (one of the few fabric-covered aircraft still in current production) are covered using the *medium* weight certified fabric. The M-7s carry twice as many souls as an Air Camper, have a gross weight twice that of an air camper, use engines with tw...
by taildrags
Wed Aug 10, 2022 3:29 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)
Replies: 11
Views: 1523

Re: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)

John, not sure what you're asking, but what holds the wheel assembly in place on my airplane is the shoulder on the inner end of the axle. That shoulder rides against the wheel bearing.
shoulder.jpg
by taildrags
Mon Aug 08, 2022 10:45 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)
Replies: 11
Views: 1523

Re: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)

I forgot to mention what I have for tubes. I have flat aluminum wheel covers on my main wheels and they help to keep dust and grit and debris out of the bearings. So, in order to get at the valve stems to check the tire pressure or add air, I either have to remove the wheel covers (3 screws each) or...
by taildrags
Mon Aug 08, 2022 10:31 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)
Replies: 11
Views: 1523

Re: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)

John; just bear in mind that there are dozens and dozens of variations of these wheels out there, some take different parts for different reasons (which I found out the hard way). The parts that my wheels use may be different from yours. And it looks like you already have very decent felt rings and ...
by taildrags
Mon Aug 08, 2022 10:42 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)
Replies: 11
Views: 1523

Re: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)

John: these are the parts that I used on my wheels.

-Oscar
rings.jpg
by taildrags
Sun Aug 07, 2022 11:39 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)
Replies: 11
Views: 1523

Re: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)

PS, you'll find the thin stainless rings and the felt seals in the Landing Gear section of the Aircraft Spruce catalog, under Cleveland 6.00 wheels. I'll get you the part numbers.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun Aug 07, 2022 11:36 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)
Replies: 11
Views: 1523

Re: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)

John; my wheels are assembled as follows (best I remember). On the inside, Timken 13889 brearing, greased. It's held in place by its taper and by the raised shoulder on the axle. On top of the bearing, one of those felt grease seals sandwiched between two of the thin stainless rings, then that sandw...
by taildrags
Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:37 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)
Replies: 11
Views: 1523

Re: Bearings for rims (and tire tube)

John; I've recently been through this with my 6.00x6 Clevelands and scratched my head a lot until I found the correct group of parts to both seal the greased bearings and secure the wheel and assembly onto the threaded end of the axle. I'll dig up photos and parts that I used to see if it will help ...
by taildrags
Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:26 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's engine
Replies: 11
Views: 2107

Re: N34KP's engine

Experimental three-four kilo papa, advise when ready to taxi ;o)

-OZ
by taildrags
Mon Jun 27, 2022 10:51 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Buying used rims and big price differences
Replies: 3
Views: 954

Re: Buying used rims and big price differences

1. Yes, I'm one who has used the tapered shims to get my Piet's wheels to track exactly where I want them to. Now, with the spring-strut "Cub style" gear that I'm using, the geometry changes and the gear is loaded, both static (just adding passenger and full fuel to the plane where it sits...
by taildrags
Thu Jun 23, 2022 10:37 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's engine
Replies: 11
Views: 2107

Re: N34KP's engine

A marriage made in Air Camper heaven! Nice work, Richard.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Thu Jun 16, 2022 4:28 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Rim for the 1.5" axle
Replies: 3
Views: 925

Re: Rim for the 1.5" axle

John; I don't have any parts to offer you, but can tell you about my 6.00x6 Clevelands with brakes. Mine are off of a 1960s-era Bonanza and take 1-1/2" axles. Between the 5" and 6" Cleveland wheels, there are variations that take 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" axles but nothing as small ...
by taildrags
Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:03 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Wanted: Corvair Prop
Replies: 4
Views: 1181

Re: Wanted: Corvair Prop

Jeffrey; there are resources for those who are interested in making their own props and several talented builders have posted their methods and progress on this forum, on the Piet facebook group, and on their own blogs. The thing is, the Corvair turns in the opposite direction from conventional airc...
by taildrags
Sun Jun 12, 2022 11:31 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Will this spring work for A frame tailwheel
Replies: 11
Views: 1737

Re: Will this spring work for A frame tailwheel

Looks like an Aviation Products (API) tailwheel. I hear good things about them. Also, Ken, I notice that you have some bellcrank extensions on your tailwheel. Was this done to slow down the response a bit? My Piet had similar extensions on the Scott 2000 but I found nothing in the logs during the ai...
by taildrags
Fri Jun 10, 2022 3:44 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Specs Please
Replies: 1
Views: 790

Re: Specs Please

Yes, that's one way of doing it with a wrench, some spring scales, and a 3 ft cheater bar. That is, unless you have access to one of these (like I do)-
torque_wrench.jpg
Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
by taildrags
Wed Jun 08, 2022 10:48 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's engine
Replies: 11
Views: 2107

Re: N34KP's engine

Nice and clean. Very pretty engine.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Mon Jun 06, 2022 3:56 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: stabilizer turnbuckle
Replies: 12
Views: 4920

Re: stabilizer turnbuckle

Well now I can say I've seen hardwire tail braces nicopressed!

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:47 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: stabilizer turnbuckle
Replies: 12
Views: 4920

Re: stabilizer turnbuckle

Well I'll be hornswoggled! I don't think I've ever seen one with nicopressed hard wires! I couldn't tell from the photo, but are the short tails of the wires thenbent back up against the nico sleeve like they are with wire-wound ferrules?

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun Jun 05, 2022 1:15 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: stabilizer turnbuckle
Replies: 12
Views: 4920

Re: stabilizer turnbuckle

JimBob; I have no experience working with the hardwire braces so I'll let others chime in on that aspect of it, but one 'pro' of using the hardwire is if you're going for a period look, they look much more like aircraft work from that era. Well-done wire braces with nicely-made wire ferrules look ve...
by taildrags
Wed Jun 01, 2022 10:47 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Plans tailwheel vs leaf/spring wheel
Replies: 2
Views: 870

Re: Plans tailwheel vs leaf/spring wheel

I have the leaf spring arrangement with a conventional tailwheel and the plus to using that setup is it's possible to buy most everything needed without having to fabricate/weld. The more traditional look is with the plans-style pivoting "A" arm and coil spring. Oscar Zuniga Medford, OR Ai...
by taildrags
Tue May 24, 2022 3:09 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Wanted: Cleveland 6.00x6 axles
Replies: 1
Views: 662

Re: Wanted: Cleveland 6.00x6 axles

Found what I was looking for. Thanks, Pietenpolers!

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun May 22, 2022 11:57 pm
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Wanted: Cleveland 6.00x6 axles
Replies: 1
Views: 662

Wanted: Cleveland 6.00x6 axles

Looking for a pair of axles for these wheels, similar to Grove 5016, 1-1/2" diameter. Don't need to be new if they are used/serviceable. Thanks.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
Grove.JPG
by taildrags
Tue May 17, 2022 11:02 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Tire recommendation
Replies: 4
Views: 1090

Re: Tire recommendation

John; there are several elements involved in the assembly you're looking at. Bolted to the landing gear legs are the axle stubs that stick out to the sides. Onto those, you slide the wheels, which have tires and tubes mounted onto them and typically also have a brake disc integral to them. Then ther...
by taildrags
Wed May 04, 2022 11:31 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Shock spring contruction
Replies: 13
Views: 2578

Re: Shock spring contruction

I have many of Pazmany's writings and really, really enjoying studying the "masters" on these subjects. Man oh man, imagine what would happen if you left blank sketch pads and pencils on the tables at the pub where builders and pilots hang out-! Sipping on a pint, sketching out force vecto...
by taildrags
Tue May 03, 2022 1:26 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Building process, order of operation?
Replies: 6
Views: 1496

Re: Building process, order of operation?

Kevin Purtee's little inspection viewport in the floor of the passenger cockpit helps with access to the front rudder pedals (and fuel tank, if yours is up there). But since libertyman's plane is the steel fuselage, I'm not sure what the floor framing looks like up there on it.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Sun May 01, 2022 11:45 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Building process, order of operation?
Replies: 6
Views: 1496

Re: Building process, order of operation?

My suggestion was that you try to do anything you can do that's inside the cockpits and empennage as early as you can, because it gets more and more difficult to work inside there as the fuselage sides and covering go on, but you've got a steel tube fuselage that makes it much easier to work on thin...
by taildrags
Mon Apr 18, 2022 10:33 am
Forum: Classified Ads
Topic: Your help is needed
Replies: 3
Views: 1123

Re: Your help is needed

Terry; you'll never be able to completely remove your dogtags from that airplane. Mine is still sometimes referred to as "Corky Corbett's Piet", or even "Joe Czaplicki's Piet", since Joe started it, Corky finished it, and I now own it. Get used to it ;o)

-Oscar
by taildrags
Tue Apr 12, 2022 10:38 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: bench vise jaw protection
Replies: 4
Views: 1316

Re: bench vise jaw protection

Egg-zactly! I've been too lazy to do this right, and have marred a number of clean shiny pieces of metal due to my laziness. Let's do this right!

-OZ
by taildrags
Tue Apr 12, 2022 10:20 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: bench vise jaw protection
Replies: 4
Views: 1316

Re: bench vise jaw protection

Clay; thanks. I had another Pietenpoler point me towards these magnetically-held vise jaw pads and it was a "why didn't I think of that" moment.

-Oscar
by taildrags
Mon Apr 11, 2022 1:09 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: bench vise jaw protection
Replies: 4
Views: 1316

bench vise jaw protection

Hello, builders; after years of doing my bench tasks with a simple little Sears vise and beating the heck out of it, I finally stepped up a notch and got a heavier table and a larger vise that allows three degrees of freedom and also lets me handle larger items. The problem is that the faces of thes...
by taildrags
Sun Apr 10, 2022 1:32 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Center section tank straps
Replies: 9
Views: 1877

Re: Center section tank straps

Yes, I've pumped my share of avgas too. My plane's tank is in the nose but it's still a bit of a pain to get the ladder in close enough so I can see down into the filler neck, while not bumping the plane with the ladder. Wing centersection tank builders should go for that filler offset for sure. -Os...
by taildrags
Thu Apr 07, 2022 10:46 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Center section tank straps
Replies: 9
Views: 1877

Re: Center section tank straps

Beautiful work!

-Oscar
by taildrags
Thu Mar 24, 2022 12:14 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Shock spring contruction
Replies: 13
Views: 2578

Re: Shock spring contruction

Let's look at the side-force scenario, where there is a crosswind and the plane lands hard on the downwind side till we can get the upwind wing down and things under control. gear2.JPG As the plane is pushed to the downwind side and the tire contacts the runway, a force pushing the gear back the oth...
by taildrags
Wed Mar 23, 2022 10:44 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Shock spring contruction
Replies: 13
Views: 2578

Re: Shock spring contruction

Also note that in the hard landing scenario, the wing struts are applying a down force into the same attach fitting as the landing gear legs are applying an up force into, which somewhat balances or offsets the forces there. The weight of the wings as the plane hits the runway pushes the wing struts...