Search found 50 matches
- Fri Feb 19, 2021 7:23 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Am I getting close?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 230
Re: Am I getting close?
In my experience, building the basic structure consumes well under half the total time. Fabric covering, painting, welding up an engine mount, preparing an engine, installing all the firewall forward bits, fabricating cowlings and nosebowl, running wiring, making cables (and cables and cables), fabb...
- Wed Feb 10, 2021 6:31 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: center section bracket rust prevention
- Replies: 9
- Views: 176
Re: center section bracket rust prevention
Sean, all of the fabric products are exactly the same whether using Stits Polyfiber or Stewarts. The difference is entirely in the various "wet" products. The sticker prices are roughly comparable between the two. Stewart has an edge in overall cost as none of the items is considered hazar...
- Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:00 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: center section bracket rust prevention
- Replies: 9
- Views: 176
Re: center section bracket rust prevention
Sean, I used the Helmsman Spar Varnish, as well. The issue with varnish is not really which type will work. I suspect that any decent varnish will do the job of protecting the wood. The issue is what you will eventually use for your covering system. If you later opt to use the Stits Polyfiber sytem,...
- Tue Feb 09, 2021 12:17 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: center section bracket rust prevention
- Replies: 9
- Views: 176
Re: center section bracket rust prevention
Yep, what Earl said. Varnish wood before placing metal fittings against it. Ken
- Sun Feb 07, 2021 10:40 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Fuel system sealant
- Replies: 5
- Views: 519
Re: Fuel system sealant
Oscar,
I hear you about the pretzelling required to work under the front instrument panel. Still, I think I'll take my chances with a bit of country western. Egress by rap might lead to even worse damage than what I'm trying to fix.
Wish me luck, Ken
I hear you about the pretzelling required to work under the front instrument panel. Still, I think I'll take my chances with a bit of country western. Egress by rap might lead to even worse damage than what I'm trying to fix.
Wish me luck, Ken
- Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:40 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Fuel system sealant
- Replies: 5
- Views: 519
Re: Fuel system sealant
Tom, Thanks for this information. It appears that over several years, the 100LL slowly dissolved enough of the EZ Turn to allow it to weep its way along the threads. Were it not for the blue dye in 100LL, I doubt I would ever know it was leaking. My source tells me that Loctite 565 should work just ...
- Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:02 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Fuel system sealant
- Replies: 5
- Views: 519
Fuel system sealant
Folks, This is a pirep on fuel sealants. About 4 years ago, I had my fuel tank out and reinstalled it with EZ Turn Lubricant at each of the threaded joints. With winter temps, the Piet has been mostly sitting the past several months. As I began the condition inspection, I discovered slow weeping of ...
- Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:40 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: control stick travel
- Replies: 11
- Views: 693
Re: control stick travel
My connecting rod is on the left, per plans. I've never noticed that I had less aileron turning left versus right. I will say that, at least in my Piet, aileron, not rudder, is the limiting factor in cross-wind landings. So maybe there is some slight difference that a better pilot than me might be a...
- Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:18 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: jury struts
- Replies: 6
- Views: 431
Re: jury struts
I'm using streamlined aluminum for my jury struts. The aluminum was purchased, along with larger streamlined aluminum for the diagonal struts, from Carlson's. The jury struts are approx. 1 1/8" by 3/8". The horizontal spreader strut is round aluminum 0.5" dia x 0.060 wall thickness. C...
- Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:23 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Stewart Systems Question
- Replies: 5
- Views: 470
Re: Stewart Systems Question
It has been several years since I covered my Piet, so my recollection of the steps is a bit fuzzy. What isn't fuzzy is how much I preferred the Stewart System compared to the Stits Polyfiber system. My recollection is that after fabric is glued to wood and tapes are glued over all places where addit...
- Tue Dec 22, 2020 12:29 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Last stitch on the first wing done
- Replies: 6
- Views: 505
Re: Last stitch on the first wing done
The trick I learned was to punch the holes with a pencil. That leaves a darkened ring around the holes that is easy to see. When the tapes are applied, the pencil lead that surrounded each hole is no longer visible. Cheers, Ken
- Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:51 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Last stitch on the first wing done
- Replies: 6
- Views: 505
Re: Last stitch on the first wing done
Looks great! I did exactly the same with a few intercostals in my wing panels to give the cross-brace cables clearance. Cheers, Ken
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:22 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Pietenpol Fleet Size
- Replies: 7
- Views: 951
Re: Pietenpol Fleet Size
Oscar, smoke would alert the Hun to our position. Surprise is essential -- rule number one of Dicta Boelcke. As our French brothers on the Western Front might say, bonne chance, Ken
- Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:14 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Pietenpol Fleet Size
- Replies: 7
- Views: 951
Re: Pietenpol Fleet Size
Oscar, it's all in the visualization. With Rick's Corvair and my O-200, we'll be cranking along at nearly .1 mach. We'll sweep down out of the eastern sky with the sun behind us, followed by a daring low level pass, maybe two or even three. It will be a sight to remember. For generations to come peo...
- Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:33 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Pietenpol Fleet Size
- Replies: 7
- Views: 951
Re: Pietenpol Fleet Size
Interesting article, Rick. Thanks for posting.
I'm definitely going to head down your way in my Piet this spring, maybe in conjunction with one of the monthly pancake breakfasts at Kiowa. We should plan to meet up for a two ship mass arrival.
Cheers, Ken
I'm definitely going to head down your way in my Piet this spring, maybe in conjunction with one of the monthly pancake breakfasts at Kiowa. We should plan to meet up for a two ship mass arrival.
Cheers, Ken
- Wed Dec 09, 2020 1:02 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Strut Materials
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1002
Re: Strut Materials
I used streamlined 4130 steel for my cabane struts and Carlson's extruded aluminum struts for my diagonal struts. Were I to do it again, I'd use the extruded aluminum for both. The streamlined 4130 steel is quite expensive, but as it happened I already had some on hand. The aluminum is quite a bit l...
- Sun Nov 08, 2020 10:59 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2570
Re: Brake master cylinder mountings
Richard, restrictors might be prudent. You might wait, though, until you've had a chance to do some ground testing. Depending on the mechanical advantage (or lack thereof) of the pedal assembly, you may find that things are okay without adding additional bits to the braking system. Good luck with th...
- Thu Oct 29, 2020 10:19 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: compass location
- Replies: 7
- Views: 686
Re: compass location
Oscar, I wondered where I got the idea to use the U-bolt. I owe you appropriate citation! As it happens, I've never used it. I have removable shoulder and lap harnesses, which I keep in the forward glove box. I rarely fly when the density altitude is below 6000'. Typically it is much higher than tha...
- Sat Oct 24, 2020 12:34 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: compass location
- Replies: 7
- Views: 686
Re: compass location
Oscar, Agreed. I tried a bunch of places on the panel and never found a spot without significant impacts on the compass. Under the wing, it hasn't been a problem. I did move it forward an inch or three so that it would not be over the aileron cables. It is actually easier to read when set a little b...
- Fri Oct 23, 2020 7:50 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: compass location
- Replies: 7
- Views: 686
Re: compass location
Oscar, here's another view of the compass and its box (pre-paint).
Note: I removed the center section tank as part of weight savings plan. I've never missed it, as the nose tank has greater duration than my backside does.
Cheers, Ken
Note: I removed the center section tank as part of weight savings plan. I've never missed it, as the nose tank has greater duration than my backside does.
Cheers, Ken
- Fri Oct 23, 2020 6:00 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: compass location
- Replies: 7
- Views: 686
Re: compass location
Oscar, I used a compass that is sold for marine applications. It handles turbulence well. Here's a pic of it. Lots of changes between that picture and the finished airplane, but the compass and its box have worked well as originally installed. Cheers, Ken
- Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:02 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Work Area Question
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1003
Re: Work Area Question
You may find that the epoxy is hard to mix if the temps in the tent are too low. The hardener, in particular, seems to get very thick when temps are low. So a heater may be essential for you to work with the epoxy. If convenient, you might keep the epoxy and hardener in your home, as they can take q...
- Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:38 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Work Area Question
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1003
Re: Work Area Question
Pbcyfly,
Where are you located? That may make a difference to how the question is answered.
Cheers, Ken
Where are you located? That may make a difference to how the question is answered.
Cheers, Ken
- Sat Sep 19, 2020 11:49 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2570
Re: Brake master cylinder mountings
Oscar, I'm pretty sure that came from the aviation aisle at Home Depot. I've found lots of certified-ish items there.
Cheers, Ken

- Thu Sep 17, 2020 11:31 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2570
Re: Brake master cylinder mountings
Oscar, I used the braided nylon hose as conduit for the wires from FWF to run up to the aft instrument pod. Not visible from the top-down photo is a small hole drilled in the hose at the low point when the airplane is sitting on the ground to act as a drain for any rainwater that might find its way ...
- Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:23 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Brake master cylinder mountings
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2570
Re: Brake master cylinder mountings
Richard, Like the heel brakes described by Barrett, mine are located under the front pax seat. I used Airheart small master cylinders. I designed mine to as flag pole levers. The attached photo shows them from above with the front seat removed. They are never in the way in flight. I have to pull my ...
- Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:07 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: landing gear - wheel spacing
- Replies: 3
- Views: 836
Re: landing gear - wheel spacing
Mike, I have the split axle as drawn on the plans. Measured center line to center line, the spacing between the tires is 58.5". Cheers, Ken
- Tue May 26, 2020 10:28 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Confessions of an Aircraft Builder
- Replies: 2
- Views: 838
Re: Confessions of an Aircraft Builder
Shoulder harnesses too, I hope.
- Mon May 11, 2020 2:23 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Tail Spruce Strips
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1040
Re: Tail Spruce Strips
I too had a rabbeted recess. Hopefully you'll be able to see in the picture that, while the gussets lie flush, the capstrip doesn't quite fit flush in the rabbet. I used a hand plane and sanding block to feather the capstrips in so that there would not be an abrupt step for the fabric to negotiate. ...
- Fri May 08, 2020 10:06 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Wing Rotisserie Update
- Replies: 1
- Views: 689
Re: Wing Rotisserie Update
Very nice! These will make all of the next steps easier.
Cheers, Ken
Cheers, Ken
- Mon May 04, 2020 3:45 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Glide Ratio
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1676
Re: Glide Ratio
Oscar, I suspect the V speeds may vary a bit across Piets. Recall mine has an extra 18" of wingspan (9" per side). I found glide and climb tests to be lots of fun. They also helped sharpen my flying skills. For each test, I set up the glide a couple hundred feet above 7000' and would glide...
- Mon May 04, 2020 2:06 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Glide Ratio
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1676
Re: Glide Ratio
I used Lowry's Bootstrap Approach to Aircraft Performance when doing my Phase One testing of NX313KB. I highly recommend this resource. I found the best glide (Vbg) to be 57 mph. The glide ratio at that speed is 7.8 to 1. You can find documentation of these flight tests under the "Files" t...
- Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:35 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Still new and nuts on nuts
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1380
Re: Still new and nuts on nuts
You'll want inspection holes for places that need to be lubed or inspected annually. You may also want to glue in, during your original covering job, inspection rings and doilies in several places that might need to be opened for a future repair. For example, my pitot tube goes through the leading e...
- Tue Mar 31, 2020 9:57 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Tail dimensions on plans
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1051
Re: Tail dimensions on plans
John, Your 3/16" is correct. Blame it on a senior moment or just a wrinkle in the math multiplication universe. Are those the same thing, anyway? Yes, if you route out 3/16" from each side of the T-beam you will have removed a total of 3/8". That will give you a T that is 5/8" on...
- Tue Mar 31, 2020 5:08 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Tail dimensions on plans
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1051
Re: Tail dimensions on plans
John, Those are the dimensions that I used. It all begins to make sense when you start assembly the pieces. You end up with a bit of contour to the horizontal stabilizer. The handwritten 3/16" on the main beam is not quite right. Each of the sides of the main beam should be routed down 3/32&quo...
- Wed Mar 25, 2020 2:50 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Wing Rotisserie Operational
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1075
Re: Wing Rotisserie Operational
Here's how I handled the outboard wing rotator. I drilled a hole through the wing bow where the weight was approximately balanced and then installed a T-Nut on the inner face of the wing bow. I inserted a threaded rod from the wing to the rotator stand. A picture will make this clearer. Later, when ...
- Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:46 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Wing Rotisserie Operational
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1075
Re: Wing Rotisserie Operational
Dave, I'm impressed with your wing stands. I'm puzzled, though, how you are going to do the fabric covering on the outboard ends. Maybe you've got that figured out. I'm curious: how are you planning to do that? Cheers, Ken
- Sat Feb 29, 2020 12:36 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: New member Kansas City metro
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1705
Re: New member Kansas City metro
Welcome Matt. You may have already heard this, but you should try to make it to Brodhead, Wisconsin, this summer for the annual Pietenpol fly-in. It occurs every year on the Thursday-Sunday morning, just prior to EAA AirVenture. Bring a camera, maybe a notepad, and lots of questions. Also, pickup th...
- Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:53 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Distance from torq tube (near elev horn) to floor?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 677
Re: Distance from torq tube (near elev horn) to floor?
Mike, I suspect that using the same measurements above the ply floor as in the wood fuselage plans will work. Just a guess, mind you. My piet is wood, not steel. Good luck, Ken
- Sun Jan 05, 2020 6:59 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Wing Rotisserie
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1271
Re: Wing Rotisserie
Dave, here (I hope) are a couple of pics of the rotisserie that I used when covering and painting my wings. I can dig up more pics, if desired. Cheers, Ken
- Mon Nov 18, 2019 10:26 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Open Cockpit for those with Glasses
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1493
Re: Open Cockpit for those with Glasses
I fly with prescription bifocal goggles. I ordered mine from ClassicGoggles.com. The goggles come with a variety of lens colors (I prefer the clear lenses). The prescription part is a small oval piece that sits just aft of the lenses in a slot built into the goggles. Your optometrist or ophthalmolog...
- Tue Jun 04, 2019 9:29 pm
- Forum: Photo Section
- Topic: Ken Perkins Piet
- Replies: 14
- Views: 6534
Re: Ken Perkins Piet
Tom, how about a progress report or some pictures? Nothing like some atta-boys to get things moving again. Cheers, Ken
- Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:55 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Any Piet builders in Colorado
- Replies: 9
- Views: 3030
Re: Any Piet builders in Colorado
Joshua, I completed my Piet in 2017 and am based in Longmont (KLMO). Mine is O-200 powered. Also, Rick Holland built and flies a Corvair powered Piet. His is based at Meadowlake (KFLY). I am generally around the airport on weekends and the occasional evening. Send me a note if you'd like to come see...
- Thu Mar 28, 2019 11:08 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Instrument Panel
- Replies: 11
- Views: 3866
Re: Instrument Panel
Dan, I like how you have your panel laid out. I found doing mine that some of the instruments interfered with the aileron cables. I had to do some swapping about for the cables to have clear access. I put my compass on the underside of the center section, like you have yours. That wasn't my first pl...
- Thu Feb 21, 2019 12:42 pm
- Forum: Classified Ads
- Topic: Horns and fittings
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1678
Re: Horns and fittings
Those parts look beautiful. But how much fun you'd be giving up by buying them. I cut all of my metal fittings with a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder, cleaned up with a bench grinder and sander. I didn't have (or need) a band saw. I enjoyed the process of making those parts. I also knew if I screwed one up...
- Fri Feb 01, 2019 10:45 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: forming control horns
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2944
Re: forming control horns
Brian, I welded all my control horns using oxy-acetylene. I'm a rank amateur at welding. I think they turned out looking just fine, especially when viewed from at least 5 feet away. The key for me was using the smallest tip I had, which if my memory is correct was a size 0, and keeping the flame adj...
- Fri Nov 16, 2018 10:34 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: General Inquiry
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1608
Re: General Inquiry
Arnold, the first step is to acquire the plans from the Pietenpol family. There is a link on the homepage of this website. Second step is to start making sawdust. (In between first and second step is to buy some sitka spruce. Most folks start with ribs. Those give you with minimal investment a sense...
- Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:30 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: closing the gap between center section and wings?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1671
Re: closing the gap between center section and wings?
On mine, I applied a piece of 4" Ceconite tape along the length of the gap, which was then masked and painted (using a small paint roller) to match the wings and center section. I did have to remove the wings a few years ago. To do that, I applied a sharp knife to the tape along the gaps. When ...
- Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:38 pm
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: Installing Bungee Cord/s
- Replies: 1
- Views: 1214
Re: Installing Bungee Cord/s
TonyP, I now have a split gear with the wire wheels on my Piet. Previously I had the solid axle, wood gear on it. I used 1/2" shock cord, with three wraps over the axle in-board and outboard of the wooden gear leg horizontal member. If memory serves, that took something like 5 feet of shock cor...
- Sun Nov 12, 2017 9:46 am
- Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
- Topic: nifty nicopress trick
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1990
Re: nifty nicopress trick
Oscar, I too saw this "helpful hint". One of the old-timers, when I was early in my Pietenpol build, showed me a much, MUCH, easier way of holding all the pieces together when making cables. Lowes, Home Depot, and other supply houses sell "copper split bolts" under a variety of b...