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Activity Stream



  1. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Impatient...   

    Well, our resident fabric expert and Champ restorer extraordinaire has passed judgment on my fabric:

    After much poking, twisting and close inspection he said that with a few repairs, I should "... fly the hell out of it until I get sick of it looking so ugly, then recover it.  ..."



    I might be flying it yet this summer....
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  2. dholly added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    I think using a drill press for this is a much better idea than attempting to 'free hand' it. I would assemble everything and mark the position of the axle, then remove the gear leg and drill through both the gear leg axle tube and axle at the same time. Go slow, start small and work your way up with sharp bits and plenty of cutting oil. Once the axle is bolted in and everything reassembled you can finalize the location of the axle nut cotter pin hole, mark and take just the axle to the press and go to it. YMMV but that's my plan.

    Also, on the outside chance you did not see this, Matco included the attached warning about proper technique for torquing tapered bearings. Axle nuts should be tightened until all play is out of the assembly. Rotate the wheel back and forth while tightening the the nut to help seal the bearing. When all play is out of the assembly, and the wheel rotates freely, tighten to the next castle slot and insert the cotter pin. The rubber seal on the tapered roller bearings will remain stationary while the wheel rotates around it. If the seal is spinning on the axle, the nut should be tightened further until the seal stops spinning with the wheel. It is important that the nut torque be sufficient to keep the seal from rotating with the wheel.

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  3. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Kitfox IV main gear & axles   



  4. cajunpilot added a post in a topic Powder Coating   

    Hello All,

    I am employed at DOW Chemical and a friend/corrusion engineer suggested this, sorry I do not have before me but will take a pic this evening and forward along, which is a two part epoxy @ a 1 to 4 ratio.

    "Keep your Flaps Down"
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  5. cajunpilot added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    Many thanks, I feel the shackles falling off. I will bring the spacer with me but I am unaware of anyplace as of yet I can get to machine of the proper length. The idea of a washer sounds like the best avenue (at least doe the time being).

    Once I have the proper alignment between the brake disc and the "Brake Backing plate then I can drill, pack and mount the shaft. I have a drill press so this should be as anything else we have done so far....hear that noise...me knocking on wood  or maybe it just sounds like wood, I deny any rumors as to my hardheadedness. Those people just could not see that I am always right!!

    So in synopsis, headed to Lowe's to get two of the a fore mentioned washers. I am not sure if I mentioned this but looks as the variation is out 1/16 of an inch. And, yes it is to the inside. This is as you mentioned the mechanical variance that cause me to be concerned. Even if it is a shortened life span due to ware pattern.

    Last bit is...Is there anything I need to watch out for when drilling the hole through the threads for the castle nut and cater key? I DO NOT want to screw up these axles and this seems a very touch part of the Job.

    "Two things you cannot use...Altitude above you and Runway behind you"

    Eddie "Ace" Duffard
    My Ab Initio instructor and a legend in Louisiana Aviation
    87,000 Hrs 80% of which was flight instruction










    ,,,
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  6. akflyer added a post in a topic Powder Coating   

    I started out using the stits epoxy but ran out.  so I called the local A&P shop and they said for years they have used this stuff.  So I did and so far no issues.
    It is a 2 part but not sure about additives for high humidity.

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  7. dholly added a post in a topic Announcement   

    After heat and water, the next most important utilities are cable TV and high-speed internet. You would be wise also to add a fridge large enough to hold a 1/2 keg tap and a few comfortable couches / chairs. You're gonna need it when your dear forgotten wife kicks you to the curb for spending so much time in that palace playing with your man-toys! 
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  8. dholly added a post in a topic Powder Coating   

    So what product are you guys using for primer and topcoat? Curious if it's a 1 or 2-part epoxy? Are retarders used for application of epoxy in high humidity environments to prevent blush?
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  9. dholly added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    And just in case you want to go crazy on the brakes, this rotor drill pattern should work if you have the WH62 assembly.  ;D


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  10. dholly added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    Greg -

    This 'issue' is starting to ring a bell. Is the manual referring to the caliper brake plate OR the torque plate? It's been a while but I remember assembling the wheels and brake assemblies and mounting to the brake torque plates on the gear (I did my first major screw up in the process but that's another story) and thinking the same thing ie., the brake disc did not fall directly inline with whichever. It was one of those things I needed to revisit when I had the wheels mounted properly. At the time I just clamped on a set of temporary axles without drilling and bolting the gear legs in order to get the fuse mobile because I was making up new axles with tapped ends for wheel pants and skis. But I think the offset was close to what you mention, about 1/4", and I believe that was to the inside.

    That makes a difference because the inside pad between the disc and wheel is the fixed pad and the outside pad is the one that moves. Too much offset to the inside could cause the outer caliper housing to hit the slide stops on the outside with pedal pressure, right? Gotta think if that has a seriously negative impact on brake force... I dunno, late in the day and not thinking too quick at the moment... maybe worse case is you suffer uneven pad wear? Can't tell much from these pics but it gives a rough idea how my offset ended up with the spacers provided.

    And you sir, are correct, the manual sucks! Actually, all I have is a Mk-IV manual with a handful of pics that try to visually explain some -not all- of the dis-similarities, but certainly no written updates applicable specifically to the Avid+. I may have gone to the Matco Mfg website to get a blowup schematic to determine how the axle spacers went.  -Doug


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  11. akflyer added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    you the one with no info on the profile that shows where you are located   There are a couple choices and I didnt want to carpet bomb the others to find the right guy lol
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  12. akflyer added a post in a topic Powder Coating   

    yep, that is how I did mine.  No issues with it as it flows out and seals it up good.  you can look at the finished coating and tell if you missed a spot or if you need to hit an area again.  If you are really worried aboutit, you should be able to find or rent a holiday detector to assure a full coating was achived.
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  13. cajunpilot added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    Okay, thanks!

    My only concern way side loading or some other nonsense. call me anal retentive.

    Thanks for the advice

    ;D

    Keep Em' Flyin

    for any intersted, I did post some of the build photos on FB "Gregory Bowman"
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  14. cajunpilot added a post in a topic Powder Coating   

    Thanks for the replies.

    In the movie "Liar Liar" Jim Carrey said " I'm gonna piss and moan like and impotent ass" well I guess that is what I wanted to do, just rant a little. I am, we are/were very frustrated by this. As to my knowledge we have yet to make any contact with Airdale about it.

    As to the Gray Epoxy, no we do not but the one we are using is a close color, a little bit darker.

    I am currently concerned about the application on the epoxy. We are using the hand and brush method which I am not altogether sure of. Any comments on this?

    Keep you Flaps Down...
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  15. dholly added a post in a topic Powder Coating   

    Wow, what a nightmare picture! I've seen (shot!) a lot of orange peel with paint but never seen anything like that with power coat. Man that's a crying shame and a LOT of extra work to fix, I know I'd be pissed! Ever converse with Airdale about this, I think they farmed out the powder coating?

    Now you got me a bit nervous after seeing we both have the same gray powder coat! My manufacture date was Dec '06 and the original new england based owner took delivery and left the fuse sit in the crate outside alongside his garage. By the time I bot it nearly a year later, it had some rust in the over spray areas missed by the powdercoat, inside rudder cable guide tubes etc. and a few other spots as shown. Pretty minimal considering, I thought. Seems to be holding up ok since and I assume any similar powder coat problems here would have shown up by now. I would be curious if you know an epoxy paint code that matches the gray powder coat color?

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  16. akflyer added a post in a topic Powder Coating   

    Powder coating, when done right is great stuff.  My fuse had rust showing through so I blasted it.  The original millscale was still on the tubes and they powder coated right over the top of it with no real prep what soever.  I was pissed as I tried to get that crap off.  90% of the fuse is now epoxy coated after a good prep, and proper anchor profile was established.
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  17. akflyer added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    looks like one 3/4" machine spacer would do the trick perfectly.  As I said before, the calipers float, so I would think it would not really make that much difference, and unless you pointed it out when she was all together, no one would know the difference.
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  18. dholly added a post in a topic Kitfox IV main gear & axles   

    Haha, lol, musta blew yer wad on the new bird!
    Good thing you got that fancy Grove gear, otherwise you might be singing a different tune after your first few Kitfox landing attempts!

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  19. cajunpilot added a topic in Fat Avids, Avid Plus and Airdale   

    Powder Coating
    Hello all from Tigerville USA,

    I am interested in experiences with powder coating and if anyone has experienced any corrosion problems.

    Can I say indefatigably that we have!!  We spent four days (6-8hrs/day) in sand blasting and repainting (with epoxy).

    This is all after the frame had been garage kept during our own "Cob Web" period. Granted we do have our famous Louisiana humidity and heat but I hardly think we hold the franchise in this department.

    Attached are some pictures of the corrosion before we sandblasted and repainted.

    thanks

    Keep 'Em  Flyin


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  20. cajunpilot added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    One other question for you Dholly,

    In the picture you have a spacer between the two bearings. Is there a reason for that? I ask because a third spacer has come from the factory with no apparent application other that might be a space with which to cut additional spacer from.

    Greg

    PS re: previous post...too arrogant to use spell check but being humble by post post proof read I am now a believer

    attachment: First time the Fat Bas**** stood on one of her own wheels. Felt good to accomplish! 

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  21. cajunpilot added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    Hello from Cajun Country,

    Home to the best Collegiate football and Baseball teams in the world!!

    Thanks for the information.

    Your help is MUCH appreciated...I think I have been since we got rolling wiht this. I have an Air Force Mechanical background and these manuals...well, let me just stop at saying they are not as exhastive as I would prefer.

    I am attaching a couple of photos. from the pic you can see that in standard measure its approx 1/16 out.

    So, please tell me what you think. you help is mUcho appreciated!!

    Keep your Flaps Down...

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  22. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Announcement   

    40' x 25' with a 12.5' wall and a MILLING MACHINE!!.  

    I'm keeping an eye open for a small lathe, too.  I should be able to stay out of trouble with this stuff, don-cha think?
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  23. akflyer added a post in a topic Announcement   

    right on, looks likeyou will have a sweet place to work on it once your done.
    oh, and dont worry about staying on topic here, I dont care too much and wont gripe like other sites will.

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  24. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Kitfox IV main gear & axles   

    $7.34 ?
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  25. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Announcement   

    Look closely in picture named Shop(1) and you will see my milling machine still sitting on my trailer.  That's gotta get hooked up yet, too...


    Too many irons in the fire!
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