EDMO

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Everything posted by EDMO



  1. EDMO added a post in a topic NAV lights?   

    Robert, I ordered two 12 LED back-up bulbs today - will try them in the Grimes and let you know if they work. Missed the 15 LED, but saw a lot of 19 and 24 Led bulbs and larger - will let you know how this goes $17 for pair w/free shipping.
    I have the strobe attachment on my lights, but dont know what brand of bulb and what power supply to buy for them. Will try to post some photos of bulbs later on so maybe someone can identify them for me. They do not look like Whelen tubes, so could be Grimes or Aeroflash.
    ED in MO
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  2. EDMO added a post in a topic NAV lights?   

    Robert, sounds like everything is working great for you. You and Doug can swap parts, and I didnt get to bid up the price on your lights, LOL. Maybe Doug can help you in finding cheap wire.
    ED in MO
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  3. EDMO added a post in a topic NAV lights?   

    I have seen the backup light bulbs I described on Ebay at the local autoparts store, but I think at a higher price. Dont know if they are single contact or double contact, but believe single, and ground thru the copper base - think your Grimes is single also. The other concern is the size of the light part - will have to measure both to be sure. Believe they will pull 5 watts, LEDs usually pull .3 amps each, (I think) where your Grimes pulls 13 watts each - there may be dimmer auto LED bulbs that pull less power.
    Ed in MO
    edit: Looking in Spruce for LED bulbs - they claim only .2 amps for the $32 bulbs - maybe my figures above are way off - sometimes I get my amps and watts mixed up in memory - News said today that red wine helps old brains to function - going to store for some...!
    ED in MO
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  4. EDMO added a post in a topic KITFOX STRUT TUBE SIZES?   

    Appreciate any feedback on this - for the record - KF1 and 2 only had one rod end on one wing - why not, since they were Avids with mods - think they went to more rod-ends on the 3 and later. Please ask him. Thanks.
    I never saw WHAT SIZE rod-ends they were using in the test at Kitfox, but I will go to a heavier size than the one on my KF2.
    You might ask your friend what size he used, both thread size and bolt size.
    ED in MO
    edit: Just got thru looking at the Magnum manual, and was amazed to see that they still use the same 1/4" bolt at the spar/strut attach fittings as was used on the KF 1 and early Avid models - would have thought that with the increase in GW that they would have gone to a bigger bolt there, so guess it is big enough??? Donno what size KF uses now.........
    Seems to me that a more practical way to build struts would be to set up one wing and weld the struts, and then put rod ends on both struts on the other wing so you could make the wings match - doubt if I could weld both sides to match on the front strut - OR, put rod-ends on all 4 struts?
    ED in MO
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  5. EDMO added a post in a topic DIHEDRAL????   

    Went back to J3 yesterday and checked the dihedral with a level and shims - turns out to be .86 degrees - slightly less than the one degree our Kitfoxes (John McBean) called for. Not enough to make any difference, IMO.
    ED in MO
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  6. EDMO added a post in a topic Contributing Membership??   

    I thought I was telling that to Randy about missing his inputs - Sometimes we Soobies get lonely amoung all the Rotaxites.
    Expect Leni to have "Newbyitis" like most with all the hormones flowing..........He will be back someday - or night !!!!
    Ed in MO
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  7. EDMO added a post in a topic Fabric Doors   


    I pulled the aluminum off of my KF2 doors to go with full Lexan - The builder must have used a full can of Hysol or that other glue inside where the skins meet the door frame - dont know why someone would do that - I would have used a small bead of silicone if I wanted a better seal - would have been lots easier to remove too - used a torch, but guess heat gun might have worked in a week or so.
    Maybe this was the old factory policy for the 2, but dont remember seeing it in my 1 and 4, 5 manuals.?
    ED in MO
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  8. EDMO added a post in a topic Fabric Doors   

    RIGHT-ON ! Had not thought of that. J3 Cubs are really breezy and noisy! Jolly Good Show !!!
    ED in MO
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  9. EDMO added a post in a topic KITFOX STRUT TUBE SIZES?   

    Here are some numbers for you engineering types to chew on:

    If the skinny 3/4" x .035 Kitfox 2 struts will pull 15Gs at 1050 pounds before failing (actually, a rod-end failed - not strut),
    Then that would amount to 15,750 lbs of force.

    If it was loaded to 1320 pounds, then 15,750 divided by 1320 equals 11.93 Gs before rod-end failure, and our planes are only rated at 5.7 Gs, and we would probably pass out long before the strut failed, then these struts should be safe.

    Of course, as a practical matter, I plan on making my struts stronger than the ones tested.

    OK - that said - please give me some feedback before I start taking nerve pills and chasing them with Bud Lite before I build my new struts.....Thanks.
    ED in MO
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  10. EDMO added a post in a topic KITFOX STRUT TUBE SIZES?   

    Anyone know what size and wall struts and bolts/rod ends are on the Magnum?
    If anyone talks to Brett, will you please ask him?
    ED in MO
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  11. EDMO added a post in a topic KITFOX STRUT TUBE SIZES?   

    I checked the KF2 struts, and they are 3/4", and THAT was what was used in the test. Cant tell what wall unless I cut them, but bet that it was .035, like the KF3.
    Ed in MO
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  12. EDMO added a post in a topic Quote of the Year   

    I wish you could get that post published on every place in America, papers, TV, Internet, etc., before election time.
    This comes from a country that has suffered the Nazi and Communist regeams. What truth it tells!
    ED in MO
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  13. EDMO added a post in a topic WTB (2) Matco MC-3 Master Cylinders   

    Maybe I am too uneducated about the Matco MCs, but never heard of an MC-3. Matco told me that my KF2 had one set of MC-1, with the reservoir on top of each one. The only others I have heard about are the MC-4, and MC-5, both with an alternate number.
    Some of these say that they will not work with a second set of MCs. Best to call Happ at Matco.
    ED in MO
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  14. EDMO added a post in a topic Contributing Membership??   


    I wondered if you got stuck on the North Slope or somewhere, or just got tired of us - missed your input - cant seem to get any engineering/building opinions lately - just asking questions and doing more than my share of posting - getting tired of reading my own posts - probably everyone else getting tired of reading them too. How about checking out my post on WING STRUT SIZES in Technical posts?
    ED in MO
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  15. EDMO added a post in a topic Son's First Sheep!   

    GOOD HUNT - Great father/son times - Unfortunately, it reminded me of the loss of a friend there who was spotting sheep in his Taylorcraft and got too slow, or found a hole in the wind and stalled into the mountain.
    ED in MO
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  16. EDMO added a post in a topic Fabric Doors   


    Never have seen that done - My preference is the full Lexan - not only for visability, but to cut down on noise. 1/8 inch is better, but adds weight. We would have done that on the J3 we just covered, but couldn't because owner wants to keep it as an original antique.
    ED in MO
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  17. EDMO added a post in a topic NAV lights?   

    Robert,
    I was bored tonight and searched on Ebay auto parts / LED lights - there are about 200,000 posts. Saw some 15 LED WHITE
    Back-up lights which look like they might replace your Grimes bulbs - Like 9.98 a PAIR - lots cheaper than those in Spruce if they will work.
    Think I have a pair of LED lights at the auto parts store spotted - triangle, streamlined, going to check them out for taillight - wILL SEE if they flush mount - maybe could be mounted just aft of the position lights on wingtip - that is legal too -
    If I buy them I will post a photo for you.
    ED in MO
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  18. EDMO added a post in a topic Avid seat options   

    I was totally uncomfortable in the KF2 seats - the folding Airdale seats seemed to fit me better - I am (was 5' 8".
    Being scratch-built, I raised the cabin roof 6", and mounted a nice 16"wide pair of Cabelas boat seats onto a stainless sheet on top of the front crosstube that normally holds the fiberglas seat - and added a similiar tube same height at the rear, and 4 "seat-rail tubes" for support. These give me a great view over the nose and are very comfortable. I made new brackets to move the pedals closer to fit my short legs.
    Not saying you should be this radical - just saying, "explore your options, and make what suits you best". Be thankful that we are experimental and not bound by Cessna or Piper blueprints. Attaching a photo of my seats.
    Good re-building,
    ED in MO

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  19. EDMO added a post in a topic NAV lights?   

    The two I have were made by someone else - One has rivets, the other none - I would just sand and glue - you might use a heat gun to form them for a better fit, but sand after heating, and use Hysol to blend the edges too.
    Sure glad I couldn't buy the lights for you!
    ED in MO
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  20. EDMO added a post in a topic KITFOX STRUT TUBE SIZES?   


    OK - If the 7/8 x .035 wall will support 1050 to 15 Gs, Then where will I be with 1320 and .058 wall struts, without the rod ends?
    or possibly heavier rod ends?
    A little correction here - the 3 has 7/8 - but the strut used in the test was a 2, which I believe, has 3/4 struts. Got to check mine.
    Where are the experimental structural engineers with an answer? Please.......
    ED in MO
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  21. EDMO added a post in a topic KITFOX STRUT TUBE SIZES?   

    Tried 4 times now to attach strut test page, and failed each time - something wrong - did it OK on last server. ED in MO
    Trying one more time. Now got it on here - and I cant open it - BS !!!!
    strut test.pdf
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  22. EDMO added a post in a topic KITFOX STRUT TUBE SIZES?   


    Thanks Doug,
    I see that the struts on the 3 were 7/8" x .035 wall, and the 4 was one inch diameter - but didnt get a wall thickness - Am guessing it was .049 ? I was considering going to 7/8 x .058 wall, or by using that size as a shim between the old 3/4 and a one inch x .058 wall. I have a good set of the old Piper J3 struts, but really think they are a lot heavier - got to weigh them.
    Will pull the test page out of my book and see if daughter can copy it an post on here. The photos are bad quality. It is from the old Denny newsletter, I think.
    ED in MO
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  23. EDMO added a topic in Technical tasks   

    KITFOX STRUT TUBE SIZES?
    Anyone have info on Wing Strut tube sizes and wall thickness for Kitfox 4 and later?
    I have a copy of an article about Kitfox testing the 7/8" KF3(?) struts to 15G of 1050 GW before rod end failed. But no wall given.
    Seems to me that these should be plenty strong for 1320 GW.
    Avid sizes, wall & GW also appreciated.
    ED in MO
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  24. EDMO added a post in a topic DIHEDRAL????   

    Thanks again for the info Doug.
    John probably is the best source of info on the Kitfox, as Brett or someone from Avid or Airdale would be for that model.
    The Magnum photos look like it has more dihedral than others, but could just be in the photos.
    We got 4 different dihedrals quoted for the J3, we compared one in inches to one in degrees, and they were about the same.
    AS it turned out, the J3 shows front wing spar nearly perfectly level when the quoted measurements for dihedral are met.

    If you look at a Cessna 172 compared to the L-19 Birddog, the L-19 has a lot more dihedral than its predecessor.
    Dihedral is supposed to make a plane more stabil - but someone says it could make it slower - got to go back to books to check that statement.
    Going to my toolmaker background - One degree equals .017" (actually .0166666") per inch, or about .5 sillymeters per inch, so can calculate what height of wingtips and height about center the dihedral will be. More important, is to make sure everything checks out with a level and that both wings match.

    The one degree dihedral would be about .816, or 13/16" on the end of a 48 inch level (3/4" block would probably be enough, IMO)

    Cant do anything about washout at this stage, except to make the wings match - too much washout WILL slow it down in cruise.

    The J3 only has 3/8th inch washout on a 30 inch level - lots less than what was built into the KF/Avid wings.
    Again, thanks for the info.
    ED in MO
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  25. EDMO added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    KITFOX 1 FOR SALE
    If anyone is interested, I just got a notice of a KF1 for sale for $6500 - needs recovering. Can give you the phone number and you can do your own research on it. Dont know what Rotax it has. Didnt check to see what state it is in, but can do that.
    ED in MO

    edit: Ad says, "stored in dry place for last 5 years" - California phone number
    • 9 replies
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