VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 03-24-2011, 05:45 AM
ScaniaRV ScaniaRV is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bara, Sweden
Posts: 9
Default Mysterious engravings

Several of my main wing ribs have a marking inscribed on the inside of the forward flange. It looks something like "1\ W \ 018 W". The engraving seems to have been done manually. Vans have no idea what it is and now I wonder if someone else might have a clue to what it means.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Thanks,
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-24-2011, 08:00 AM
Rick6a's Avatar
Rick6a Rick6a is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lake St. Louis, MO.
Posts: 2,346
Default

I am not surprised Van's has no idea what the marks mean. It appears to me someone etched those marks using an electric pencil. The practice is not at all uncommon and I sometimes use the technique myself.


You give no indication if the kit was originally purchased by you therefore it would seem reasonable to assume you bought the kit from another builder. Is my guess in fact correct?
__________________
Rick Galati
RV6A N307R"Darla!"
RV-8 N308R "LuLu"
EAA Technical Counselor

Last edited by Rick6a : 03-24-2011 at 12:07 PM. Reason: add pic
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-24-2011, 08:26 AM
tdhanson tdhanson is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 92
Default

It's got to be the 'born on' date code from a recycled Budweiser can after going through multiple recycling / reforming stages until being reborn as a kit plane part... Either that or a GPS 'if lost, return to' location...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-25-2011, 03:03 AM
ScaniaRV ScaniaRV is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bara, Sweden
Posts: 9
Default

Yeah I know, we are to recycle but hasn't it gone too far this time?

Rick, it's a standard wing kit I bought from Vans in 2006 and I have had it in my possession all the time. I am in the process of removing the marks and it is a somewhat tedious job.

/Ulf T
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-25-2011, 07:49 AM
larrynew's Avatar
larrynew larrynew is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In New Braunfels, ist das Leben schön!
Posts: 871
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ScaniaRV View Post
Rick, it's a standard wing kit I bought from Vans in 2006 and I have had it in my possession all the time. I am in the process of removing the marks and it is a somewhat tedious job./Ulf T
You may not have to remove the marks if they were made with an electric pencil like Rick shows above. Van's instructions specifically mention marking parts and that it's OK. If not, I'm in trouble as I marked most of my parts prior to priming.
__________________
Larry New
RV-7A - Built, flying 900+ hrs
RV-10 - Built, flying 2.9 hrs
??? - RV-12, Subsonex
48 States in 7 Days!
VAF Paid - Annual Autodraft
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-25-2011, 09:55 PM
1911pilot 1911pilot is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 149
Default

I thought they specifically said not to use an engraver like that?

At any rate, I think I saw another thread awhile back that said that it was an imprint from the engraver markings on the stamping dies that Vans uses.
__________________
9a Empennage
#91208
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-26-2011, 06:54 AM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
Default Are all of the rib markings Identical?

When I say identical I mean do they appear to be a transfer from a tool that contained this marking in some fashion? If not, are the numbers on all of the flanges the same? All of the numbers and letters are the same backward or forward so it is possible that 1\W\018 is actually 810/W/1 in the original or intermediate form. How wide is the flange? Is it 1 inch. Is the radius on the inside of the transition from the flange to the rib web approximately .018"? W may stand for Wing. Does the fact that the center completion of the 8 is missing mean anything? Many clues, few answers.

Bob Axsom
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-26-2011, 07:29 AM
larrynew's Avatar
larrynew larrynew is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In New Braunfels, ist das Leben schön!
Posts: 871
Default

Section: 6 The Empennage (RV-7/7A), Rear Spar Assembly, there is this quote:

"Despite earlier admonitions about scribing or scratching aluminum, it is permissible to use a vibrating pencil or a system of light punch marks to make identifying marks that will be visible after priming."
__________________
Larry New
RV-7A - Built, flying 900+ hrs
RV-10 - Built, flying 2.9 hrs
??? - RV-12, Subsonex
48 States in 7 Days!
VAF Paid - Annual Autodraft
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:44 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.