DR-1 (Sands): Builders Group

Jim Bruton · 13 September 2004, 06:00 PM

Hi Rex & Joe,

Thanks for the heads-up on the tubing. Where does everyone stand now on their projects? Still going strong? Running out of steam? Hit any snags?

How will winter impact your progress? As I am using a literal woodshed- wih no heat- I am trying to get as much done for as long as possible before these cold Connecticut winters (and dark too!) shut me down. I think I will probably be able to go until November sometime, so the wood chips are flying now! Might have to buy a woodstove...

Jim Bruton · 15 September 2004, 07:06 AM

Builder's Source:

If anyone else is interested in short-cutting your work time towards a completed project, I am working with Pete Weintraub in California to weld up some of my components: beginning with the rudder, I plan to move to the horiz stab/elev and then landing gear. That's all I have room for at present, until I move into the new house in the spring.

You can check out his resume and some photos of his currently for sale Redfern projects (including close-ups of his welds) at:

Website: http://www.geocities.com/pswctw/mypage.html

We will be posting photos of the rudder he makes for me- stay tuned!

Jim

worldcrusier · 15 September 2004, 01:13 PM

Just got back from the Sportair TIG welding workshop. Highly recommend it to all. Had complete beginners to A&P's there. I'm two glue ups from completeing the top spar and will start on the middle spar next. Hope to get enough nickels free to get the fus. tubing and do the fus. this winter.

gipsymoth236k · 15 September 2004, 02:20 PM

REPLICA LMG 08/15 SPANDAU GUNS:

I hope you all have seen this web:

http://www.repligun.com/Spandeau/Spandeau.html#Anchor

Regards, Gary

Jim Bruton · 15 September 2004, 03:26 PM

Gary, yes- a few of us have seen this site but than kyou again for the reminder- these Do look beautiful. As Fokker210 said, perhaps more beautiful than the actual guns themselves! Have you seen the replicas that fire blanks? B)

WorldCruiser- tell us more! Did you have any welding experience before you went? If someone does not have any welding experience and then takes this course, do you think they could then begin welding their DR-1 fuselage? (thinking of myself).

Good luck on the next spar! I am on rib 17 tonight.

worldcrusier · 15 September 2004, 05:03 PM

My father was a welder and I learned quite a bit from my brother on stick welding but I have never worked as a welder. I believe that you could take the course at Sportair and feel comfortable welding a fusalage. The main thing that you take away from the course is how to use a TIG. How good your welds are and how comfortable you are is simply how much you practice. The science of welding tells you how but the art of welding is accomplished by practice. If you have not welded before then all you need is additional practice. I have seen accomplished welders make a bad welding pass after not welding for a few years. They simply needed to practice.

Fokker210 · 15 September 2004, 05:28 PM

Jim,
Glad to hear the ribs are coming along - you only have a few more to go !!

Rex,
Sounds like you are really making progress on the wheels - be sure to post some pics soon !

Worldcruiser,
You are right on the money with the welding low down - glad to hear you got something out of the workshop. I too advise anyone planning on TIG welding the plane attend. Can't say enough good things about the class! Also, you seem to be running full steam on the spars - since this is where I am in the project, can you tell me if you have run up on any kinks or major snags in their construction ? Any real difficulties so far ?

Fokkerslow,
How is your build progressing ?

Jim Bruton · 15 September 2004, 05:46 PM

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!

Engine for sale in Trade A Plane:
CA
VINTAGE WARNER SCARAB 110-125hp engine, 0-time on complete rebuild, very nice, $17,000. CA/(949) 206-0613.

worldcrusier · 16 September 2004, 07:56 AM

Other than having to sit down with the plans and mentally do a step by step construction, the spar goes together like the Sand's dwgs. suggest. The only problem I had was drilling the spar holes for the strut attach brackets. Even though I purchased a set of wood Forstner bits, which should have given me a good hole, after drilling the 3/16 hole in the spar with the steel guide block, I found that an AN bolt was a little sloppy. I then dirlled 1/4 and 3/16 holes in a scrap piece of wood and found that both were a little loose. I then filed down the Forstner bits and kept drilling check holes until the holes and bolts were a reasonably snug fit. I ended up drilling 1/4 holes for the strut attach brackets.

vongrube · 17 September 2004, 08:06 AM

FYI,
I am Dr1 (Sands) builder in California. Here is a breakdown of my progress on the machine.
*Fuselage finished with base paint coat.
*Landing gear, sub-wing, brakes, wheel covers and tires - all finished.
*Guns - finished and working (propane / O2)
*All tail surfaces finished and painted.
*All ribs, butterfy blocks, spacers finished.
*All jigs for final wing assembly finished.
*Had an engine. Sold it. Buying another probably this weekend.

Been seven years of weekends, and vacations on this project.
Lots of work. Wife said I spent too much time on it.
We're divorced now. Think I got the better deal.
Posted pics on this website a couple of years ago.

[email protected]