Tab Number 69

I started building the brackets, that once welded to the frame, will be used to bolt the two aluminum rails that form the floor inside the plane. I reduced some 0.100 steel scraps to 0.050 with a bench grinder, than i gave them a rough shape and than i filed up to give the final shape. First one done...seven to go!

Throttle Lever

I spent a couple of days building the throttle lever. Not hard task, but took time! anyhow paid back time!
Just recently i heard that Aviat asked 200 dollars for the throttle lever without PTT button installed!
Here it is my, 5 bucks, throttle! Actually i have these duroplast knob "as per plans" but soon i'll go for a tubolar throttle handle with a PTT button.

Having Fun!

One advantage that you have when you build an experimental aircraft is to be able to customize. Now, I'm not that kind of engineer who makes significant changes, but small changes that make it more enjoyable and add performance or make you save money, are welcome.
So here I am, this is my trim lever! Instead of aluminum is made from a 4130 steel scrap!
Has the same dimension that plans call for, but to reduce weight i made those holes inside, which reduced weight from 135 to 90 gr.
Then i added a little lug to give extra lateral resistance.
So, it's a little bit heavier, but it's free.. tougher...and much pretty!

 Rough dimension.

 Cutting holes, not easy task... these saw is to small!!

Done! Now i need to decide whether to mount the small ball or the big  one! (plans call the small one).

Idler Lug

There is not much to say about these parts...easy to built, i'm happy about the way they fit on tube, because this increases the final quality of their weld.

M.L.G. Aft Fittings (AFT)

This afternoon i completed the landing gear fittings. I cut the tubes, where bolts will be inserted, to an approximate length, they will be timmed after being welded to the brackets.
 

M.L.G. Aft Fittings

Built today the main landing gear aft fittings. Thay are made by two 0.080 inch, 4130 steel plates.
First of all i slightly bend plates, (3.5°) where the landing gear will be bolted on. To have a greater control, of where fold start, i do two small cuts with holes in the ends, along the folding line, so to create a weak point. Done that i locked all on vise and with a light rubber mallet i've bent plates.

Preparing for bending...

All holes done! Sometimes i use to drill extra holes on plates, these to lock them, with srews, on a wooden board, that i clamp on drill press plate, as support when i do holes.







 





I left lugs a bit longer inside where they will be welded, these because i want weld plates on streamline tube, and even against the cross member tube at station 20-1/2...more safe!

M.L.G. FRWD Fittings

Finally bent and completed. Now need to cut 1/2 tube to size and weld on it.
Not easy to build these two pieces, the hardest part was bending the two tabs symmetrically with the correct radius. To do this i built a jig where i 've bolted pieces on, and whit  a big hammer, i've fold lugs.