RDavidson

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Everything posted by RDavidson



  1. RDavidson added a post in a topic Fuel tube between header tanks aka flux capacitor!   

    The Magnum came with two from Avid...

    You are right, the fittings come out at about the same height as the horizontal flaperon tubes. I've got some pics of other Magnums that probably show how to get around it...I'll post them for the next guy, when I find them.

    Thanks for the heat gun trick!
    Ron
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  2. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Fuel tube between header tanks aka flux capacitor!
    I think my previous owner purchased a tubing bender for the first time and decided to get really fancy! Problem is, I think the upward bends could be a really great way to get air trapped in the lines. The 45 degree fittings should be pointed down shouldn't they?
    The PO was also kind enough to Hysol the fittings in place for me. what can I use to get the fitting out? Acetone?

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 10 replies
    • 1,160 views


  3. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Ok! That's more like it...
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  4. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Leni,
    That $260 is for 2 plates? 1 for each side? Why so expensive? With the cost of machining equipment slowly coming down why do we have to pay so much for parts like these? Is it still liability? Shouldn't the "Experimental" part of our planes get rid of a lot of the liability?
    I'm not slamming Matco, it is all aviation related companies. Sorry, rant is over.

    Do you just tee the line into the first brake over to the second? Not a bad idea, I guess it would be a little more bulky of an install.
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  5. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Chris,

    Absolutely...so you are avoiding the tire bulge at the bottom.
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  6. RDavidson added a post in a topic Calaveras flight video   

    Great Video! Are you using GoPros? Smart turning back, looked pretty solid!
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  7. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Ed,
    The gear legs get in the way and hit the back of the caliper restricting their ability to float. If you put them on the front or bottom it sure makes removing them simple...

    How much float room should be adequate? 1/4"?

    By the way Ed, the brakes are great! I had to modify the mounting holes on the discs a little, but other than that the went right on! Thanks again!

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  8. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Randy,

    I noticed you put your brake calipers on the bottom of the wheel. I'm pretty sure this is because the back gear is angled back so far that the brakes have to go there? I have the same issue.
    I was wondering if putting them in the front might be better? I've heard not to put them underneath in case you have a flat tire. I'm guessing you don't put them in the front because you might hit something with them?
    What do you think?

    Thanks,
    Ron
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  9. RDavidson added a post in a topic Easter weekend lunch flight   

    I bet it was good to get out from under the car hood and into the air! Looks like fun!
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  10. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Mike,

    Thanks for the explanation and link!
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  11. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Ha! The dog bed definitely is mine!
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  12. RDavidson added a post in a topic Axle bushing?   

    Thanks guys, that is just what I needed to know!
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  13. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Axle bushing?
    Ok, now I have a question about what holds the wheel so that it is spaced properly for the disc brake?
    I looked at the original gear and it looks like a bushing was slipped over the axle and welded in place, is that correct?
    Does it need to be welded in place or can it just slide on and off?
    What wall thickness should the bushing be?

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 5 replies
    • 994 views


  14. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Leni, the tires look great! Ok, sounds like I need to look into getting the MC4 masters. What are you guys using for different brake pedals? What makes the originals not so good? If I need to change them I'd like to do it now while I still haven't Fiberglassed the boot cowls or riveted the firewall in place.
    Also Leni, I went big and bought a used O-360 for it, so I'm sure it will swing the larger prop. What brand prop makes the 81 or 82" you are talking about? I have a 78" ground adjustable Whirlwind prop that I use on another plane and I love it. I can only imagine wat another couple of prop inches will do! Probably leave the prop still and spin the airplane instead!

    Mike, I'm running 1/4" too. Is it brake pedal leverage that the original pedals are lacking?

    Randy, where did you mount your remote Resevoir? Thanks again for your gear leg dimensions! I am loving how the gear looks...minus my current wimpy tires!



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  15. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Randy,
    I just re-read your post...those are 26" tires in your pic. Sorry I got confused there for a minute.
    Your 26s look great, well proportioned.
    So, I'm going to use 26s as a minimum, but I think I'll probably go with the 30s, sounds like they will do what I want them to.
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  16. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Ed, that sounds good, let me do a little research to get smart on those. I understand what you are saying with the thicker disc. I'm sure that the good braking trade off is a little more weight added, but sounds like it could be worth it.

    Randy and Joey, thanks again for your input! I'm going with 30s since I haven't bought the 26s yet and since my gear is the same length and height as Randy's.
    Randy your plane looks great! I love those tires! I hope you don't mind me stealing all of your ideas? I have copied your gear, want the same tires and I even looked at the boat seats in cabelas that you have in your plane! I feel like an internet stalker! Ha!

    Thanks again guys!
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  17. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    I checked, I do have the 2" single puck Cleveland's.

    Ed, I am interested in your double puck brakes. How much would you need for 'em?
    Ed you mentioned that I would probably need different discs, what would you suggest?

    Thanks Randy and Chris. Am I screwing up going with 26" tires? I want to be able to land just about anywhere. I thought that 26" would be plenty big, but I have seen guys talking about 29" and 30" being great! Let me know what you guys think.


    Thanks again,
    Ron
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  18. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires
    Another Question...

    I'm planning on putting 26" ABW tires on my Magnum. I currently have Cleveland brake calipers and disc style brakes. Are these sufficient for use with the big tires?

    Also, I saw that some guys were upgrading their brake pedals. Any suggestions on which pedals to buy?

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 45 replies
    • 6,287 views


  19. RDavidson added a post in a topic Sprayed Stewart Systems over the weekend   

    Looking good! Wish I were at that point!
    That yellow is a cool color...it looks really bright!
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  20. RDavidson added a post in a topic Painting fuselage cage   

    Well, I shot the epoxy today and it looks good, but I learned that painting the tubes is difficult to do. You end up getting overspray on the other tubes. Maybe using a smaller spray gun would work better, but brushing would have worked too.
    I used a redneck clothes line (Jeep winch cable) for hanging all of removable parts. It worked great!

    Anybody have suggestions on how to paint the cockpit tubing post fabric attachment?

    Thanks,
    Ron


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  21. RDavidson added a post in a topic Painting fuselage cage   

    Thanks guys...2 part epoxy is what my paint guy suggested too.
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  22. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Painting fuselage cage
    Fellas,

    I'm going to paint the cockpit fuselage tubes black to match my future paint scheme. Right now they are powder coated white.

    Would you suggest using a two part epoxy paint or something else?


    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 4 replies
    • 1,248 views


  23. RDavidson added a post in a topic First Post   

    Welcome Wade! Lots of guys here in about the same building stage, so ask away, you will save me from asking a bunch of dumb questions!

    Good luck,
    Ron
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  24. RDavidson added a post in a topic Installing finger strainers on Catalina fiberglass tank? Options?   

    If you are talking about just a normal fuel pressure gauge and sender, I found the gauge and sender at Van's aircraft was the cheapest I could find. The price for both together was below $100. I use it on my Starduster Too and it works great! It would be better if it had a light that got your attention when dropping below 3 or 4 PSI...I lost my mechanical fuel pump for I don't know how long before I realized that needle was low.

    Anyway, here is the link for the gauge and the sender.
    https://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?ident=1396329171-362-327&browse=ei&product=vans-fuelpres

    Cowlove, nice diagram! Handy to have!
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  25. RDavidson added a post in a topic Legal advise   

    I thought those came with bullet holes in them?
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