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-   -   Gear tower mod (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=109923)

TShort 02-17-2014 04:36 PM

Gear tower mod
 
I'm planning on doing the gear tower mod (screws and cover plates) mentioned in other posts ... what I have not seen mentioned is how those of you with QB fuses cut the web out with everything installed in the fuse.

I was thinking a Dremel with a cutoff wheel or perhaps a nibbler, but before I start hacking into things I thought I'd check to see if anyone had a brilliant / easy / safe way to do it.

Thanks

Randy Hooper 02-17-2014 04:43 PM

I drew a line and cut with hand shears then filed to finish. Probably the quicker way to remove the material.

gblanck 02-17-2014 05:10 PM

I used a dremel
 
See:
http://rv8.blancks.com/wordpress/201...-modification/

PaulT 02-17-2014 05:49 PM

+1 with the aviation snips, L and R handed. Then finish to the line with a file.

DanH 02-17-2014 07:18 PM

Jigsaw and a file.

TShort 02-18-2014 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanH (Post 854949)
Jigsaw and a file.

Thanks!
I've got some fine metal blades for the jigsaw ... this goes under the "why didn't I think of that?" tab.

PaulT 02-19-2014 05:20 AM

May not be a consideration in your case, but the base on my Jigsaw was about 2 3/8" wide. Which would have left a lot of filing, or creeping up with the snips anyway. (The final cut line was less than an inch from the rivet heads)
Don't know about the quicker/best method, but it was easy, safe, and left very little swarf/mess with the snips.
Paul.


(Before final cuts.)

William Slaughter 02-19-2014 07:27 AM

Snips & file

ColoRv 02-19-2014 08:55 AM

Die grinder with a cut off wheel here. Took longer to mark it than it did to cut it. It's only an airplane..get in there and build it.

Adam 02-19-2014 05:45 PM

Has anyone made the modification on a flying RV-8?

R. Daniels 02-19-2014 06:33 PM

I wish I had thought of that mod 15 years ago when my '8 was going together. Routing vent lines, wiring, TP&M cables as well as accessing the gear clamp bolts was a real bugger. Some build details fade over time but the memory of wrestling stuff through the lightening holes is still clear.

Low Pass 02-19-2014 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R. Daniels (Post 855624)
I wish I had thought of that mod 15 years ago when my '8 was going together. Routing vent lines, wiring, TP&M cables as well as accessing the gear clamp bolts was a real bugger. Some build details fade over time but the memory of wrestling stuff through the lightening holes is still clear.

Yep, same here. First flight 6/6/2000. Difference now is my hands have grown and won't fit through any longer! Go figure.

HIIFLY 02-26-2014 08:52 AM

Gear Tower mod
 
This is how I did mine during construction but I think itcould be done to a finished aircraft by being careful not to cut anything besides the web in the gear leg tower . ;)
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

claycookiemonster 02-26-2014 11:49 AM

Glareshield!
 
Off topic, but way to go with the squared off glareshield! My experience has been all military and commercial, so "flat on top" glareshields have been the norm for me. Given the increasing use of glass instruments, having the top of your glareshield match the top edge of your EFIS screen makes total sense. It may even allow some builders to raise the bottom edge of the instrument panel which is nice for knees and sticks.

Really looks great!

Clay "Cookie Monster" Cook


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