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-   -   Tip: Installing wing bolts (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=34728)

rv9av8tr 10-31-2008 01:47 PM

Dry ice and brittle fracture
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by dlomheim (Post 260614)
I might have missed it but I didn't see Dry Ice being mentioned anywhere in the posts. We used this technique on my dad's RV-7A when installing the wings for the final time at the airport. Put them in the freezer the night before and then took them to the airport on ice in a cooler. At the airport put at least 90% pure alcohol into a coffee can and added dry ice. The temp. drops to -109.3 degrees F and dropped the bolts in one at a time for a few minutes and installed...slid in with little fuss at all...no cussing required. :)

Doug Lomheim
90116
OK City, OK

YIPES!! Be darn careful not to torque these until they've reached "room temp". Don't know what the brittle fracture temp for these bolts would be, but I wouldn't want to be "testing" the limits of stressing these until they have warmed back up!!

jimbower 10-03-2009 11:42 AM

Bolt length
 
Gang, I'm trying to set or equal the record for the longest-running RV-6A project in my area :rolleyes:. Consequently, my wings were completed many many years ago and I don't seem to have all of the AN3 wing bolts I'm supposed to have (52). Luckily, I still have all my close-tolerance bolts. Drawing 15 mentions the bolt size (AN3), but doesn't mention the grip length. Is there any reliable way to determine what lengths I will need? I'm assuming some will need to be a bit longer because of the gear clusters.

Thanks.

Jim

Rick6a 10-03-2009 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbower (Post 364531)
....... Is there any reliable way to determine what lengths I will need?......

Jim,

The easiest way to determine any bolt grip length "on the fly" is to simply tape over one end of a spar hole. Then insert a pencil or a dowel through the spar (and any other part such as a weldment) until it stops at the tape. Then mark or notch the opposite end of the dowel flush with the spar surface. This mark will give you an indication of the total length through the material. Now remove the freshly marked dowel and place it alongside an AN bolt comparing its marked "grip length" with that of an AN bolt minus its bolt head and the threads. This will get you in the ballpark without knowing in advance the precise length bolt needed.


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