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  #1  
Old 11-28-2017, 06:52 AM
dmat dmat is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Union County, NJ
Posts: 933
Default How to Remove Wingtip?

Sounds like a dumb question but I know vans used a ton of piano wire to hold things together (cowl) and I did not build my ship.

Are the wingtips of the 6 attached with the plethora of screws or is it attached with piano wire?

I am installing a Skybeacon and will be doing a write-up (how-to) for RVers with wingtip lens covers and would prefer to work in a warm dining room instead of a frigid tarmac.

Thanks all,
D
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  #2  
Old 11-28-2017, 07:06 AM
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RONSIM RONSIM is offline
 
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Unhappy Mine attached with blind rivets

Unfortunately! Would like to be able to take them off for inspections

Ron
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  #3  
Old 11-28-2017, 07:10 AM
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ChiefPilot ChiefPilot is offline
 
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Location: Twin Cities, MN
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Default

Plans showed blind rivets I believe. Builders often upgraded; I used #6 screws with tinnermans and nutplates. Piano hinge was/is another common method. Best way would be to look at the particular aircraft and see what it used.
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  #4  
Old 11-28-2017, 07:34 AM
dmat dmat is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Union County, NJ
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Default

Mine has screws but I didn't know what the original blueprints called for.

Thanks both. Looks like I will be removing screws and upgrading to stainless.

Any suggestion on which stainless screws to use?

Dan
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  #5  
Old 11-28-2017, 10:36 AM
jaustinmd jaustinmd is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Pikeville, TN
Posts: 27
Default

I installed a skyBeacon recently in a Zenith STOL 750 wingtip and wrote up a blog: http://www.zenith.aero/profiles/blog/list?q=skybeacon

I know it's quite a different installation from what you're doing, but just thought it might be of interest.

P.S.: ... and I DID get to do most of the installation in my warm dining room!
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Last edited by jaustinmd : 11-28-2017 at 10:39 AM.
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  #6  
Old 11-28-2017, 12:19 PM
Bicyclops Bicyclops is offline
 
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Location: LA, California
Posts: 323
Default SS screws

Stainless screws are no upgrade. The heads cam out more easily and then you are faced with a lot of fun to get them out. Use cad plated AN509 screws and throw them out at the first sign of screwdriver damage.

Ed Holyoke
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  #7  
Old 11-28-2017, 01:09 PM
DGlaeser DGlaeser is offline
 
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Location: Rochester Hills, MI
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I 'upgraded' to screws - used #6 Torx screws from Micro Fasteners (they call them 6-lobe - probably a patent thing):

https://www.microfasteners.com/fcmxs...stainless.html
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  #8  
Old 11-28-2017, 01:18 PM
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ChiefPilot ChiefPilot is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DGlaeser View Post
I 'upgraded' to screws - used #6 Torx screws from Micro Fasteners (they call them 6-lobe - probably a patent thing):

https://www.microfasteners.com/fcmxs...stainless.html
I had worse luck with those than I did with the AN stainless screws. I've since thrown them all out.
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  #9  
Old 11-28-2017, 06:54 PM
deek deek is offline
 
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Location: Flathead Lake Montana - 8S1
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bicyclops View Post
Stainless screws are no upgrade. The heads cam out more easily and then you are faced with a lot of fun to get them out. Use cad plated AN509 screws and throw them out at the first sign of screwdriver damage.

Ed Holyoke
^^^ Ed speaks the truth ^^^
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  #10  
Old 11-28-2017, 07:14 PM
Bicyclops Bicyclops is offline
 
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Location: LA, California
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Oh, and one more thing - use a fresh, good quality screwdriver bit in the ratcheting handle of your choice and throw the bit away when it shows any wear at all. Stay straight on the screw head with moderate pressure. If the screwdriver cams out even once, stop and figure out how to get the screw out before you make it worse. If you insist on using a power driver, set the torque low, low speed, and be prepared to replace a lot of screws.

Ed Holyoke
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