|
|
|
|
Joe's OneX #129 Project
|
Date: 9-2-2013
|
Number of Hours: 3.00
|
Manual Reference:
|
Brief Description: Made two aileron counterbalance fairings
|
|
Labor day so did not drive to the hangar. Had several chores and small projects around the house to do but afterwards had time to make the two aileron rod fairings.
I had tried earlier to make these fairings and was not happy with the results. The OneX kit includes precut fairing blanks of 25 or 32 gauge 6061 aluminum. This was too stiff and dificult for me to bend with my cheap brake and my thumbs. Also, many of the bends cannot be done with a brake unless you have an expensive finger brake with attachments. In addition to difficult to bend, the location and length of the forward tab did not seem correct, was about 3/16" short. Also, the holes for the tabs that fold inside the side of the fairing had the pilot holes on the tabs rather than the side of the fairing which meant you needed a close quarter angle drill to assemble. If they had just made the pilot holes on the sides of the fairing, the drilling of these holes would have been simple. Also, the tabs that get folded behind the sides were too long and protruded below the fairing once assembled...... Wonder if Sonex ever made one of these fairings????
So, I had some 20 gauge 6061 aluminum and I copied the pattern onto it making the changes and adjustments mentioned above. The fairings came out nice.
I'm still thinking about how to make the aileron and flap rod fairings. Plans call for a rounded cone shape "R 1 5/16". I don't think the plans are correct with the 'R' definition, probably should be "D" unless they are using some terminology I'm not familiar with. Also, HOW IS A BUILDER SUPPOSED TO FORM A CONE SHAPED BEND!!!!!. Geez, come-on Sonex. Fortunately I have a friend with a machine shop who offered to turn a cone shaped armature out of aluminum that I can then use to form the bend..... I hope. Will probably use 20 gauge 6061 instead of the 25 gauge in the kit.
In my opinion, these very difficult tasks really turn-off builders, they do me. I think with a little forethought Sonex could come up with a different fairing design that would be
|
|
Aileron counterbalance fairings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2001-2024 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.
|
