Search found 240 matches

by Richard Roller
Sun Mar 24, 2024 12:11 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

Finally got up the nerve to try the first scarph. This is the lower left longeron, just forward of the tail post. 15 to 1 slope. Done with wood chisels and hand planes.
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by Richard Roller
Sun Mar 17, 2024 6:40 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

I had to do a repair to the lower left longeron where the tail wheel brackets attach 5 years ago. 15 to 1 taper centered on the middle between the bolt holes, .635" tall. I'll be splicing the longeron due to damage from last year's crash. I removed the doubler today and I was very pleased to se...
by Richard Roller
Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:13 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

I pulled the fabric off the belly this morning. Ken used Superflite when he covered the Piet back in the late 90's. I don't believe he used their epoxy varnish and you can see most of the finish lifted when I pulled the fabric off. Back in the tail, where I did a longeron repair several years, I use...
by Richard Roller
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:12 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

A zero results day. Spent most of my time doing death of wife related things. Depressing. Then I took a nap. Next project is the cutting and splicing of the longerons. Stay tuned.
by Richard Roller
Tue Mar 12, 2024 3:03 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

Both in now.
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by Richard Roller
Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:09 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

IMG20240311143416.jpg Well. My first glue up. This is the test. I could tell it's been a long time since I did composite repairs for a living, I mixed way to much! I had about 4 times more left over than I used on the joints. Oh well, I'll get back in practice. Nice joints with just enough squeeze ...
by Richard Roller
Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:30 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

I cut the left and right station piece and the rear diagonals for moving the seat back today. Lots of measuring before the cuts. They turned out good!
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by Richard Roller
Wed Mar 06, 2024 8:07 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

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My help.
by Richard Roller
Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:55 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

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I pulled the ply off both sides of the truss in the repair area today. The Spotted Cow was a reward! 😁
by Richard Roller
Mon Mar 04, 2024 10:35 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

Yes, you can soften T88 with a heat gun.
by Richard Roller
Mon Mar 04, 2024 10:32 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

None on a 767 structure. 😁 We used thin stainless steel (.015 +-) to cut through the adhesive under exiting patches, etc. We also used it when cutting pieces out of the skins over underlying structure. Slide it between the layers and cut very carefully through the skin until you saw sparks start to ...
by Richard Roller
Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:30 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

I'll remove the plywood with a heat gun and a thin piece of stainless steel sheet. I did it for years while working on 767's.

Removed a lot of the plywood from the truss today. I also removed the rest of the controls that would be in my way.
by Richard Roller
Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:40 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

I've cut the plywood between the trusses off. I found some more damage, here and there. The next step will be to peel the remaining plywood off the truss itself, then the floor plywood. Probably not necessary, but I'm considering 45° plywood when I go back together. Something to consider. IMG2024030...
by Richard Roller
Sun Feb 25, 2024 8:37 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

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by Richard Roller
Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:35 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

Well. Lots of delays due to family issues (one of my grown kids) and paperwork related to my wife dying. Today I had a free day, so I assembled the pieces to the new work table in the dining room. Everything turned out surprisingly level and square. I am going to put braces to the floor on both ends...
by Richard Roller
Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:47 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

Thanks Oscar. I'm going to give it all I've got. I've decided to move the dining room table, build a work table in the dining room and do the repairs there. Great lighting and a easily cleaned ceramic tile floor (for spilled epoxy!). Nice and warm too. It'll help having my tools in one place also. W...
by Richard Roller
Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:05 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

I took advantage of above 30° temps today. I hoisted 34KP off the ground and pulled what's left of the landing gear off. I also removed most of the fuselage fabric. All in preparation to bringing the fuselage home to start the repairs.
by Richard Roller
Sun Jan 21, 2024 10:59 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Gascolator Installation
Replies: 6
Views: 730

Re: Gascolator Installation

I couldn't find a good picture of the fuel line run.
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by Richard Roller
Sun Jan 21, 2024 10:20 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Gascolator Installation
Replies: 6
Views: 730

Re: Gascolator Installation

On 34KP the fuel line runs down the upper left longeron from the aft left cabane strut (center section tank). It follows the longeron trough the upper aft firewall and the strainer is bolted to the upper part of the lower firewall step on the left side. This is for a Model A installation. Let me loo...
by Richard Roller
Sun Jan 14, 2024 6:37 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

It's been a while since an update. Well, my wife got sick and has died, so I have not gotten anything done other than planning the repairs. Today I ordered wood and a new batch of T88. It's been very cold here and my hanger is not heated, so who knows when I'll be able to start anything. I'm anxious...
by Richard Roller
Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:33 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Flop
Replies: 9
Views: 527

Re: Flop

One more thing. Mine doesn't have hand holds, like Oscar shows in his. I grab the top of the cabanes when I get in. I think hand holds would be a good idea.
by Richard Roller
Sun Dec 17, 2023 4:30 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Flop
Replies: 9
Views: 527

Re: Flop

Essentially the builder of my bird copied the aileron spar setup, including location on the rib and the strap style hinges, with the spar piece being one rib bay wider than the center section on the left side. That is for ease of entering the pilots seat. This setup will lie flat on the top of the w...
by Richard Roller
Wed Dec 13, 2023 12:02 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Weight of your wing rib
Replies: 3
Views: 316

Re: Weight of your wing rib

I weighed one of the ribs donated to me for the rebuilt of N34KP. It's not a root or end rib and weighs 216.7 grams, about 7.6 oz. Your's sound good.
by Richard Roller
Wed Nov 15, 2023 3:55 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

I know there's been no updates to the repair. Life gets in the way. First horrible weather at the airport. Then a trip to Oklahoma for my mom's 95th birthday (she still lives in her home!). Now I've been stuck in Madison Wisconsin since the 3rd of November. My wife, Lisa, and I came for a concert an...
by Richard Roller
Wed Nov 15, 2023 12:06 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Spar thickness
Replies: 12
Views: 7064

Re: Spar thickness

Yes.
by Richard Roller
Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:17 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Aileron hinge pin
Replies: 12
Views: 545

Re: Aileron hinge pin

I have also seen hinges (on a/c with short hinge sections, 6"or so) where the hinges were crimped on the ends to retain the hinge pins. That works fine in applications where the hinge attach hardware is easily removed. I would think that would be awkward with a 6 foot hinge section.
by Richard Roller
Wed Nov 08, 2023 2:16 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Aileron hinge pin
Replies: 12
Views: 545

Re: Aileron hinge pin

On Cessna's the pins are slightly short and small cotter pins are installed, one each end through the hinge, to retain the pin.
by Richard Roller
Thu Oct 26, 2023 4:36 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

I've had a pair of work tables from a local Piet owner donated to me to set the fuselage on.
by Richard Roller
Mon Oct 23, 2023 2:13 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: tail wheel steering vs castering
Replies: 30
Views: 1746

Re: tail wheel steering vs castering

Oscar. Are those homemade shackles on the brace wires to strap attach?
by Richard Roller
Sat Oct 21, 2023 10:28 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

I built some stands to support the wing on. It's high enough to walk under, but I can get to it for measurements. I put the wing on the stands today. Doing it all by myself turned out to a bit of a hassle!
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by Richard Roller
Thu Oct 05, 2023 7:01 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Ford Model A conversion
Replies: 5
Views: 484

Re: Ford Model A conversion

The only side drive mag that I know has flown is the one I mentioned that belongs to Dan Helspur. I have seen numerous top drives through the distributor hole.
by Richard Roller
Mon Oct 02, 2023 1:49 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Ford Model A conversion
Replies: 5
Views: 484

Re: Ford Model A conversion

That engine was done by Ken Perkins, at least it has a lot of components that he made. It looks like a Forrest Lovley radiator. I have Ken's Pietenpol, N34KP. Ken built several engines with dual ignition. I'm not sure if any of them have flown. He talked about doing it on his bird, but never did. Se...
by Richard Roller
Fri Sep 29, 2023 7:53 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

Re: N34KP's rebuild

Yes. getting a rolling fuselage makes lots of sense. I plan on hoisting the wing up to the hanger rafters, get a table built and leveled and get started cutting wood.
by Richard Roller
Thu Sep 28, 2023 7:42 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: N34KP's rebuild
Replies: 43
Views: 1614

N34KP's rebuild

KPN34P.jpg Okay everyone. N34KP is going to be rebuilt. I'll be posting interesting things as they happen. It would probably make more sense to build a new one, but I couldn't stand the thought of Ken Perkins Pietenpol not flying. The fuselage will be pretty much new from the pilots instrument pane...
by Richard Roller
Sun Sep 17, 2023 9:16 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: close to Oshkosh
Replies: 5
Views: 450

Re: close to Oshkosh

My wife and I were in Traverse City last November, different lake but the same region. The day we arrived it got to the high 70's, 2 days later we woke up to 6 inches of very wet snow!
by Richard Roller
Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:43 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: close to Oshkosh
Replies: 5
Views: 450

Re: close to Oshkosh

My wife went to college in Marquette, Michigan. She always says the water was so cold, even in the summer. She tells me of a group of rocks off shore, somewhere close to Marquette, where her and her girlfriends would wade out to sunbath on. It would only get up to their hips, but they would be numb ...
by Richard Roller
Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:37 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Straight and Level
Replies: 9
Views: 838

Re: Straight and Level

20180212_120341.jpg 20180212_120425.jpg 34KP has (had) a vernier throttle cable that attaches to the top of the walking beam with a hardware store extension spring. It only supplies up elevator trim. Ken put it in for the benefit of lighter pilots. As I've expanded over the years I've no longer nee...
by Richard Roller
Mon Jul 31, 2023 3:37 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Rudder horn slanted down
Replies: 8
Views: 573

Re: Rudder horn slanted down

I'm not sure what you are referring to. Any pictures?
by Richard Roller
Tue Jul 11, 2023 6:04 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Low Wing Pietenpol
Replies: 3
Views: 567

Re: Low Wing Pietenpol

Just out of curiosity, where did you come up with this?
"Sadly, Bernard apparently died in an airplane crash, testing a new low wing design"
by Richard Roller
Sun May 28, 2023 9:39 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Light Engine CG question
Replies: 6
Views: 707

Re: Light Engine CG question

A problem associated with a very light engine and an extended engine mount is the aerodynamic balance of the a/c. As you extend the nose of the a/c you tend to negate the effective tail volume of the a/c. Pitch and yaw damping will be reduced. N34KP has a Model A and an extended engine mount. When o...
by Richard Roller
Mon May 22, 2023 6:21 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Middle TN Pietenpol
Replies: 2
Views: 481

Re: Middle TN Pietenpol

It doesn't look like anyone is replying to you. I'm not in Tennesse. If you can do it, I would recommend going to Brodhead for the Pietenpol flyin this coming July. Lots of information there.

Richard
by Richard Roller
Wed Mar 01, 2023 8:29 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: electronic ignition for Ford engine
Replies: 4
Views: 556

Re: electronic ignition for Ford engine

Hey Oscar. It was a very interesting project. I learned a lesson on just doubling an existing system/circuit, you can get odd results. It was very odd. Somehow (it's beyond my limited electrical knowledge) both HEI modules were getting the fire signal from any crank sensor and they fired all four pl...
by Richard Roller
Sat Jan 07, 2023 8:40 am
Forum: Photo Section
Topic: NX3469B Project Photos
Replies: 16
Views: 1996

Re: NX3469B Project Photos

Thanks for the pictures! Beautiful woodwork. Is the door in the front cockpit your design?
by Richard Roller
Mon Dec 26, 2022 4:54 pm
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Center section questions
Replies: 18
Views: 1695

Re: Center section questions

Well, I feel silly! I just realized who I was talking to. I'll blame my slowness on the weather!
by Richard Roller
Mon Dec 26, 2022 9:13 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Center section questions
Replies: 18
Views: 1695

Re: Center section questions

Rob. I see you're building with steel tube, which would be my preference. What engine do you plan on using?
by Richard Roller
Mon Dec 26, 2022 9:09 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Center section questions
Replies: 18
Views: 1695

Re: Center section questions

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This is what I was referring to earlier as to tank mounts. Ken didn't do this and as you can tell from my prior pictures he built the tank to fill the maximum area between the spars for maximum fuel.
by Richard Roller
Mon Dec 26, 2022 9:00 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Center section questions
Replies: 18
Views: 1695

Re: Center section questions

Rob. Yours if very close to 34KP's setup (flying since 2000). The wedges were added in 34KP's case due to oil canning being heard when fuel was put in the Tank. Ours is also a very tight fit with the tank cover holding the tank in. I like that you off-set your filler to one side. Ours is in the midd...
by Richard Roller
Tue Dec 20, 2022 11:58 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Center section questions
Replies: 18
Views: 1695

Re: Center section questions

On 34KP the tank sits on the plywood bottom piece. I believe on the drawings they show a cross piece attached to the spars that the end of the tank rests on.
by Richard Roller
Wed Dec 14, 2022 11:58 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: Axle installation (split-axle)
Replies: 4
Views: 578

Re: Axle installation (split-axle)

John. I have Ken Perkins Piet, N34KP. Ken built lots of steel parts for other builders while he was still alive. For his landing gear he built a fixture to hold the gear V's and the axles in position while welding. I don't have a picture of the fixture, but I'll try to explain how it worked. The upp...
by Richard Roller
Tue Nov 08, 2022 8:49 am
Forum: Pietenpol Builders Forum
Topic: cockpit covers
Replies: 21
Views: 2333

Re: cockpit covers

Sounds interesting. Do you have any sketches, doodles to see?