DR-1 (Sands): Builders Group - Page 7

Fokker210 · 23 August 2004, 07:42 PM

Fokkerslow,
Glad you found your way here ! Maybe it won't be long until we have an entire Jasta !

Rex,
This is just what we need to see ! You're doing a fantastic job !

During some down time while waiting on spar material, I had some time to work on the wingtips. Here is one in the process mounted on my dummy spar :

Fokker210 · 23 August 2004, 07:43 PM

And the completed wingtip :

Fokker210 · 23 August 2004, 07:48 PM

Also, I have been trying to work on my wheel hubs. I decided to turn my own and will be using a CNC lathe. I have finished the computerized drawings using MasterCam and I'm just waiting on the machine to free up !

Fokker210 · 23 August 2004, 07:49 PM

Another MasterCam pic.

Fokker210 · 23 August 2004, 07:55 PM

While waiting on the CNC lathe to free up, I was able to get started on the brake rotors using the manual lathe. I decided to use stainless steel for these...very slow and very loud !!

Jim Bruton · 23 August 2004, 08:09 PM

OK Rex, you have dazzled us with your Ferrule making ability- great job! Now where do we stand in line and how much should we write our checks out for?

Honestly, this is great! Sounds like you were able to make your entire supply in one go, yes?

Jim
=-)

Jim Bruton · 24 August 2004, 05:01 AM

Fokker210,

Nice CAD! Have you settled on what type of tires you will go with? What is everyone else finding as a closest approximation to what they had in 1917?

Jim Bruton · 24 August 2004, 05:05 AM

Fokker210,

Forgot to mention- love the detail view of your wingtips! Good idea- making a mockup of of the spar end to work the wingtip assembly out on. I assume everyone varnishes their ribs when finished to minimize effects of humidity (swelling & other contortions). What varnish do you recommend?

Fokker210 · 24 August 2004, 07:04 AM

Jim,
Thanks for the comments - the tips tend to get a little messy with the gluing of so many small parts !

I have not varnished my ribs yet but I do try to keep them in a stable temperature environment. I know some people that partially varnish the ribs after completion but care must be taken not to varnish any of the gluing surfaces. Some go as far as building a long, flat "dipping pan" and just lay the rib into it but only after gluing areas have been masked. I got a great tip from an older EAA book that shows a small oil can filled with the varnish of your choice - a tube is then affixed to the oil can nozzle and the other end is attached to a paint brush so that the end terminates in the bristles. Just pump the handle on the oil can as you brush and you have a steady supply of varnish ! This is probably the method I will use once my wings are complete ( unless I find an even better method ).

As far as the varnish itself goes, one builder that I know of who has completed two Sand's triplanes has used T-88 glue thinned with Poly Stits reducer. From what I gather, this makes an outstanding varnish but I need to check on the mix ratios.

As of yet, no solid decision on the tires - I too am constantly looking for the most suitable tire. I have heard of people sanding down the tread on motorcycle tires. I would rather not go this route but I guess I will if I have to.

Jim Bruton · 24 August 2004, 07:41 AM

Sanding down tire treads- now that's a thought! I like the glue-thinner "varnish" mix idea, as it would leave, i assume, a gluable but sealed surface finish. Anyone else have thoughts here?

Last night I cut out my rudder outline from 3/4" ply- ready for bending the tubing around it. I am not close to making the rudder yet, but as I am waiting for the Wicks shipment and my wood working tools were out.... hey, to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail!