Sopwith Baby Project

[brinesharks]

Joe,

Considering you will have drawn almost every part in CAD, do you see it worthwhile building a CNC router of your own? I think this would reduce your build time by cutting the parts quickly and accurately and you can use your own files so is should be fairly cost effective. I have open source drawings for a very good CNC router which is designed to be fairly economical to build. You could pump out rib webs and formers quickly.

[jumpinjan]

Originally Posted by Maxim08

It took three years of pleading to get planning permission to erect a 500 sq.ft. 'shed' out back.

John,
They approved the structure design? I have never seen a roof truss like yours, won't the walls want to bow out?

[Maxim08]

Jan,
It's approved and rated for 2x the snow load.
The trusses were stick built on site, 10" deep allowing for 8" of insulation + a 2" airgap from the soffit to the vent which runs the length of the roof. The cross bars that you can see are 2" x 8" and bolted to the trusses and provide sufficent strength under tension. This was back of envelope engineering. I veted it with a structural P.Eng. after the fact and was told that I was about 50% over code for roof strength. I guess I can hang a heavier aircraft.
Regards,
John

[Joe Perkel]

Originally Posted by brinesharks

Joe,

Considering you will have drawn almost every part in CAD, do you see it worthwhile building a CNC router of your own? I think this would reduce your build time by cutting the parts quickly and accurately and you can use your own files so is should be fairly cost effective. I have open source drawings for a very good CNC router which is designed to be fairly economical to build. You could pump out rib webs and formers quickly.

Bryan, My frustration does not stem so much from slow progress, but from lack of opportunities to work on this. The problem has been my work schedule, as I have become senior at work, I no longer have to work weekends. Which allows for more family time (a good thing) but, less time off during the week. Those few week days off here and there are usually spent catching up on other priorities. I don't want to wish my life away, but I sure do envy the time that the retired guys have to dedicate to this. Eventually, I see some time freeing up for me in the not too distant future.

That having been said, I am very interested in your idea for a homebuilt CNC router. I became aware of this possibility researching another lead that you gave me once. This in itself, is a neat side project, and not so much to speed the project along but, as a useful productivity match to my CAD efforts. BTW, it is my intention to model every part of this bird right down to the instrumentation.

Email me to let me know what I should do to follow up,...thanks Bryan!

Addendum: Found one in an instant Google search.... Build Your Own CNC Router Machine

[Joe Perkel]

Bryan,

A quick update, I think you may just have created a monster with this idea of yours! As it is, my wife already calls me the "Mad Scientist", so you can just imagine!

I like your idea so much that I already have a place staked out for it in my tight shop, I'll do a dedicated CNC deck over the CAD station! I'll have to access it via a step stool, but I think it would work out just fine. The smallest machine on that site I linked to has a 20"X40" table, with option to elongate. I just might have to adjust a bit for height clearance ref those shelf brackets.

Vis dis set-up I vil take over de vorld!!,...BWAHAHA!!!

[brinesharks]

Great setup - pretty flash to have three screens! Anyone would think you spend a lot of time in front of the computer...

The link you reference has some great resources on it - should help you get over some of the hurdles of setting up a machine. I'd aim for a machine that has a motor at least the size of a trim router or 1/4" router. This way you can get through the parts a lot quicker.

I sent you an email (forgive the lack of spell check - rushed it off and forgot to tidy it up). The drawings are apparently 'open source' so feel free to use them. I like the simplicity of the design and relatively low cost of the structure. You should look for software to convert from CAD to CNC - it's expensive to buy but there are some freeware versions out there.

[Joe Perkel]

Originally Posted by brinesharks

Great setup - pretty flash to have three screens! Anyone would think you spend a lot of time in front of the computer...

Bryan, The 3 screens is to increase desktop real estate in order to "float" view ports and display three or four views while working.
This is a great productivity enhancement for CAD work. I could run four, but I wanted them at eye level. These were from Tiger Direct @ 109 ea.

[Joe Perkel]

Originally Posted by brinesharks

Joe,

Considering you will have drawn almost every part in CAD, do you see it worthwhile building a CNC router of your own? I think this would reduce your build time by cutting the parts quickly and accurately and you can use your own files

Bryan,

Funny how an off-hand comment or suggestion can inspire someone in a direction not previously considered. I took advantage of some hours today to advance the jig to a near completed state. All of the location blocks are cut and the top curve is fixed in place.

I feel a new sense of urgency to get this rib jig finished and use up my on-hand rib materials so that I can redirect attention to the CNC router, (a rather fun side distraction I would think). If all goes as I think it will, there will be a new dimension to this project that will fit both my CAD efforts, and accelerate things dramatically.

Here is a video of the machine and software package that has my attention.

If I didn't already, let me take this opportunity to thank you for pointing me in this direction as this marriage of old and new technologies really does suit me!

YouTube- CnC Utube BullsheadSign

[brinesharks]

Originally Posted by Joe Perkel

Bryan,

...Here is a video of the machine and software package that has my attention.

If I didn't already, let me take this opportunity to thank you for pointing me in this direction as this marriage of old and new technologies really does suit me!

YouTube- CnC Utube BullsheadSign

Don't thank me just yet! The video looks like a good machine. Software looks nifty. The drawings I sent you seem fairly straight forward. Just a shame you can't cut metal parts on it...

[David Paule]

Saw this on Barnstormers:

WW1 SOPWITH BABY DATA PLATE • OFFERED FOR SALE • Original Data & Makers Plates from a Blackburn built example. Offers or will PX for WW1 instruments • Contact Bob Trickett, Owner - located Askern, United Kingdom • Telephone: 0044 0 7501117763 . • Posted March 27, 2010

Take care!
Dave Paule