Willja67

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Everything posted by Willja67



  1. Willja67 added a post in a topic Getting started/setup for Welding?   

    Thanks for all the tips guys. I do have a small amount of experience with oxyacetalene welding when I was briefly in an A&P program.  My welding wasn't anything to write home about, but then again the program was designed to give knowledge about what welds looked  like not turn us into professional  welders. Hence the oft repeated counsel in this thread to practice a lot. 
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  2. Willja67 added a post in a topic Getting started/setup for Welding?   

    I don't think Ive got any 220 outlets at my house(other than the dryer and stove). So it sounds like that's going to limit me somewhat.
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  3. Willja67 added a topic in Hangar Talk   

    Getting started/setup for Welding?
    I've been drawn to wood working most of my life and have shied away from welding but the deeper I get into my project the more I want to learn it. I'm going over to the local tech college tonight after work to look at their welding program. 
    I'm looking for advice on a decent budget welder that will work for 80-90% of the welding that would need to be done on our little birds.  I know very little about welding but from what little I know I'm guessing that a mig welder might fit that requirement? The gentleman that's already done quite  a bit of welding on my plane uses TIG and has told me that's quite a bit harder than Mig. I'm guessing more expensive as well.
    So whatever advice you guys have on getting started I would appreciate.
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    • 1,100 views


  4. Willja67 added a post in a topic Photo Record of Extended Wing Build   

    Just make sure you don't skimp on the resin
    https://www.google.com/amp/s/generalaviationnews.com/2018/09/26/homebuilts-first-flight-ends-in-crash/amp/
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  5. Willja67 added a post in a topic Antenna Suggestions (VHF) Kitfox model III   

    I'm assuming you have one in a Kitfox?  If so what model and how did you mount it? Pictures would be nice. Ive got a model 1 which is kinda small for the ideal orientation of this antenna design ( one leg vertical with 39" between the ends of the long legs)
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  6. Willja67 added a post in a topic Antenna Suggestions (VHF) Kitfox model III   

    I was doing a search for mounting my comm antenna to the fuselage and not the turtle deck when I found this thread. I like the idea of an internal antenna. I notice that Dale (C150L) hasn't posted in years.
    So has anyone used the antenna? The link on the first page to the instructions if that's what they were nolonger works, so if anyone still has them I'd be interested. 
     
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  7. Willja67 added a post in a topic Tundra Tires   

    Are there any 21" atv tires like these for 6" rims?
    I know about the dessers, but if I can save a few bucks that would be nice. 
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  8. Willja67 added a post in a topic Flaperon Travel   

    I'd like to see some pics. I found a few diagrams but nothing that really shows it to good advantage. 
    I did find a diagram of the model 7 system and what i was sketching up was remarkably similar. I guess there's only a few ways to skin the proverbial cat.
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  9. Willja67 added a post in a topic Flaperon Travel   

    Thanks for those measurements. I'm sure the plane flies just fine the way it is. My purpose in taking a stab at redesigning the mixer are 3 fold. 
    1. I enjoy the challenge
    2. Reduce adverse yaw a little/ maybe allow a little more roll control with full flaps
    3. Open up the baggage area a little.  
    My first stab at the design I was able to get 8 degrees more up than down deflection. Having never flown one of these birds I don't know if that would even matter but that was just changing 1 element.  I think I can squeeze some more in there if I change a few other things. 
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  10. Willja67 added a post in a topic Kitfox 1 wing.   

    I don't know all the details but also if you could find some model 2 spars with the I- beam cross section and reinforce the lift strut attach points on the bottom of the fuselage you could have a 950 lb gross weight(unless you're already lucky enough to have a later model 1 with those mods). 
    More speed and payload would sure be nice though I imagine your Vne would still be 100 mph just take less fuel to cruise. 
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  11. Willja67 added a post in a topic Flaperon Travel   

    Tjay, I've got a number of question hopefully not too irritating.
    1. With no flap deflection and full stick deflection is there any differential? For example if the left flaperon deflects 20 degrees down does the right flaperon deflect say 25 deg up?
    2.what's the other side doing? Meaning when at full flap setting and full stick deflection what angle is the downward pointing flaperon at?
    3. Could you also measure both sides at full stick deflection for half flaps (10 degrees) as well?
    I've got a design forming in my head as well to add differential into the system and free up the area behind the seat for some cargo room. I'd be interested to  see what CoClimber comes up with as well. 
     
     
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  12. Willja67 added a post in a topic Bringing a Kitfox 1 back to life   

    gotta admit Ive never been a fan of the round bump cowling, yours looks good. 
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  13. Willja67 added a post in a topic another short wing death trap   

    I used to have one almost exactly like that,  same color even. Weak tranny gave out. Couldn't wait to upgrade to a real truck. I love my Ram. 
    I do have to admit that Silverado could go in the slick, even with really bald tires I never got it stuck. Even had to pull a jeep out with it. The dodge breaks traction after a slight drizzle. But I love the rumble that diesel makes. 

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  14. Willja67 added a post in a topic Fairings, more   

    Probably a dumb question since you opted for covering the gear leg but Ive wondered if fairing each tube individually would be better, ie less wetted area? The only reason Id want to do it that way is it would leave the cross tube uncovered which can be used as a step.
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  15. Willja67 added a post in a topic Blade covers free to a good home   

    Should add that they're fairly heavily padded and based on the tag are a custom order

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  16. Willja67 added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    Blade covers free to a good home
    These blade covers came with the 66"GSC prop that came with my plane which is not airworthy and currently hanging on my wall as a decoration.
    In excellent condition just a little dirty. Hoping maybe someone can put them to use
    Free plus shipping from Utah. 
    Otherwise they're going in the trash

    • 2 replies
    • 533 views


  17. Willja67 added a post in a topic Kitfox 1 with 582 $5000 craiglist add   

    That's klmts i bet he already posted it for sale on here

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  18. Willja67 added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    My new best friend
    I bought a Milwaukee porta band for a side job I'm doing with the knowledge that it would help with the kitfox. Up till now I've been cutting my 4130 with a grinder.  It just made really short work of some .060 4130 without as much noise, burned metal smell, and smoke (especially nice when working in my basement shop) and it did it in about 1/5 the time.
    I'm in love.
    Knowing what i now know I'd buy it even if I didn't have the side job. 
     
    Edit, I forgot to mention less wasted material. 

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  19. Willja67 added a post in a topic Kitfox 1 questions   

    This model 3 with a Rotec radial has upper braces. But he also enlarged the tail surfaces as well. Can't fold the wings if you do that. 
    https://youtu.be/Wz1LKeCNz4k
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  20. Willja67 added a post in a topic Tool kit for carrying in the airplane   

    I've never personally used or even seen these things in real life but these were recommended on TeamKitfox.com. It will substitute for a whole set of end wrenches.
    Knipex 5" pliers wrench 

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  21. Willja67 added a post in a topic Landing Gear Fuselage Attach Brackets   

    The Raven plans are basically the kitfox model 2. So might not be too helpful. 
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  22. Willja67 added a post in a topic Landing Gear Fuselage Attach Brackets   

    Here are the new rear brackets i got when I bought the Bush gear for my KF1. i didn't need them. They're pretty much the same as the stock front brackets. They're made of 4 pieces of steel. 


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  23. Willja67 added a post in a topic Yeeehaaaa!!! New Gear is On!!!!   

    In this case carrier landings are a concern due to the ham handedness of the pilot. Gotta make sure the aircraft lasts long enough to be enjoyed.
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  24. Willja67 added a post in a topic Yeeehaaaa!!! New Gear is On!!!!   

    Well it may matter and it may not. From talking to Stace it sounds like he designed the gear to take as much abuse as a unmodified airframe. Which means if I beef up the seat truss and fuse sides they may hold up and the gear legs might fail. 
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  25. Willja67 added a post in a topic Yeeehaaaa!!! New Gear is On!!!!   

    I don't know what wall thickness he used. The forward tube is 1" and the aft tube is 7/8".
    I'm playing around with an air shock suspension idea. I had to get my truck worked on and the shop that did the work builds custom Rock crawlers and I asked them for their take on the suspension. They came up with a quick and dirty design that I'm playing around with. Using the basic geometry I could have the landing gear droop down about 4 inches lower than it will now go(in flight no load). With the current setup with the aircraft in the level flight attitude sitting on the mains I have 14" of prop clearance. So if I set my max vertical travel for 12" past where it would sit statically loaded and add those 4 inches that would give me 16" of vertical travel total. That would be a massive amount of travel to soak up those carrier landings. 
     
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