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-   -   Use of commercial aluminum in panel (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=182702)

sjjonesnz 05-20-2020 08:15 PM

Use of commercial aluminum in panel
 
Hi all, I'm looking to take the opportunity of tidying up some things on my panel when I do upgrade my transponder for ADSB (replacing my GTX327 with a GTX335)

0.063" 2024T3 alclad isn't cheap so I'm considering using a more readily available and so better priced commercial grade, say 5005.

Thoughts?

fl-mike 05-20-2020 08:41 PM

6061-T6 is similar and readily available for non-structural/critical areas.

gasman 05-20-2020 09:02 PM

If you are going to replace the entire panel, then just order a new blank with bent flange from Van's.

If you are just patching unneeded areas of the panel, then use anything you want.

az_gila 05-20-2020 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasman (Post 1432164)
If you are going to replace the entire panel, then just order a new blank with bent flange from Van's.

If you are just patching unneeded areas of the panel, then use anything you want.

The OP is in NZ...:)

gasman 05-20-2020 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az_gila (Post 1432169)
The OP is in NZ...:)

Well then..... use what you can get your hands on.

Remember, the .063 was originally used to hold many very heavy gauges in position. It may now be overkill and unneeded weight........

Pilot135pd 05-20-2020 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasman (Post 1432164)
If you are going to replace the entire panel, then just order a new blank with bent flange from Van's.

If you are just patching unneeded areas of the panel, then use anything you want.

I've never been able to find anything when it comes to parts on that website, it's so frustrating :(

I use the search function. What do I need to search for to get a blank avionics panel for my RV8?

RV8JD 05-20-2020 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd (Post 1432175)
I've never been able to find anything when it comes to parts on that website, it's so frustrating :(

I use the search function. What do I need to search for to get a blank avionics panel for my RV8?

Go to that (very expensive) $10 USB drive you bought with the plans on it. Open the plans and scroll down to DWG 84 where the panel is shown. Note the part numbers. Go to the the parts webpage (https://shop.vansaircraft.com/public/parts.txt) and find the part numbers you want.
F-803A-1 INSTRUMENT PANEL $35.00
F-803APP INSTRUMENT PANEL $41.50
F-803B-L-1 INSTR.SUB-PANEL $15.10
F-803B-R-1 INSTR.SUB-PANEL $15.10
F-803BPP-L INSTRUMENT SUB PANEL $44.60
F-803BPP-R INSTRUMENT SUB PANEL $44.60
F-803C-1 INST.PNL.ATTACH FLNGE $12.60
Not hard. :rolleyes:

PaulvS 05-20-2020 10:08 PM

Source
 
There was a recent post on here, sorry can't seem to find it now, but someone redid his panel using the metal from a road sign. Don't know where or how he got the road sign though...;)

DTARM1 05-20-2020 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjjonesnz (Post 1432151)
Hi all, I'm looking to take the opportunity of tidying up some things on my panel when I do upgrade my transponder for ADSB (replacing my GTX327 with a GTX335)

0.063" 2024T3 alclad isn't cheap so I'm considering using a more readily available and so better priced commercial grade, say 5005.

Thoughts?

Very good idea. It looks fantastic too. You can swirl 5005 and make it look really aesthetically pleasing. About the only downside - scratches, you can buff out the light ones, but the deeper ones are tough to deal with.

I had an old panel cutter that used a router to cut the holes. But what's out there today to cut panels like water jets are unbelievably accurate. But don't use a plasma cutter! Aluminum conducts heat too good and the edges end up jagged. If the material is thin enough you can use a 1/2" pneumatic impact wrench and an instrument hole "punch" - you'll be in for a workout for sure if you use manual tools. Other ideas are Carbon Fiber which is real nice too. It's really strong, looks good and is workable. It really makes the gauges "pop".

Lastly - don't forget about electronics. The standard round gauges have been around since the dawn of time, but fancy electronic displays are updated ever few months. There is nothing worse for me than to look inside a cockpit and see extra holes for a 3 year old GPS that is not the latest and greatest and the owner want's to upgrade, but the device is a different size. I put floats on a 1949 Cessna 170 today. The airplane had been restored and 0 timed 3 years ago. Only round holes - as it was new in 1949 - but all the gauges were new. It looked great.

Pilot135pd 05-20-2020 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV8JD (Post 1432177)
Go to that (very expensive) $10 USB drive you bought with the plans on it. Open the plans and scroll down to DWG 84 where the panel is shown. Note the part numbers. Go to the the parts webpage (https://shop.vansaircraft.com/public/parts.txt) and find the part numbers you want.
F-803A-1 INSTRUMENT PANEL $35.00
F-803APP INSTRUMENT PANEL $41.50
F-803B-L-1 INSTR.SUB-PANEL $15.10
F-803B-R-1 INSTR.SUB-PANEL $15.10
F-803BPP-L INSTRUMENT SUB PANEL $44.60
F-803BPP-R INSTRUMENT SUB PANEL $44.60
F-803C-1 INST.PNL.ATTACH FLNGE $12.60
Not hard. :rolleyes:

If I have the part number it's easy but if I'm not at my desk on my computer I can't find anything. I'm just used to websites where the search box works different, like Aircraft Spruce or any of those other aviation websites. Go to Van's and enter INSTRUMENT PANEL and it brings up a whole mess of things but not that part.


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