Humorous exchange with Vans order desk

David-aviator · #1 02-05-2012, 08:09 AM

This past week I was preparing the right elevator frame for assembly and could not locate one of two K1000-6 platenuts used to hold the attach eye bolts. I checked the bag they came in, all over the work area, and could not locate it. There should have a been 7 but only 6 were accounted for. Also earlier, one of the smaller platenuts for the trim frame bracket was missing which was replaced out of a local stock.

So, I got on the internet and ordered 2 platenuts with a note these were missing parts from the empennage kit and went about other matters with the build.

About 2 hours later a dimple die was dropped and rolled under a work bench. I got down on hands an knees to retrieve it and low and behold there next to the dimple die were the 2 missing platenuts! I couldn't believe it. Now was that providential or what? A dimple die drops to the floor and ends up next to the missing platenuts which were lying about an inch apart.

I promptly called Vans to cancel the platenut order. The lady at the oder desk cracked up when I told her the story of the found missing platenuts. She said thank you very much, I will take of canceling the order which was worth $2.73.

Vans is still batting a thousand on parts with this RV-8 empennage kit. I have not counted individual rivets but would bet they are all there.

MauiLvrs · #2 02-05-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David-aviator

? A dimple die drops to the floor and ends up next to the missing platenuts which were lying about an inch apart.

So.. next time you can't find a part or tool ... check that spot

Had a die disappear into thin air from the carpet under the nose.... looked for an hour.
Borrowed one, finished the job. Weeks later... found the die stuck to a piece of tape that was stuck to the vacuum when we went to empty the vacuum cleaner...

scsmith · #3 02-05-2012, 03:38 PM

So, the next time you can't find a missing part, just drop a similar size bolt or nut or something and watch where it goes! I've actually done this on occasion to find a stray ball bearing from a bicycle hub when one gets away, and most often, it works. Once in a while, I end up short two ball bearings though

Jeff R · #4 02-05-2012, 03:56 PM

I have so many lost and misplaced parts and tools and I don't know how I can't be tripping all over them now. I guess Scotty keeps beaming them up.

E. D. Eliot · #5 02-05-2012, 04:14 PM

Ever notice that missing things are found in the last place that you look for it?

Jimboscr · #6 02-05-2012, 04:17 PM

is not finding lost things (although that is a very good feeling) but finding bits in the bottom of the bag that seem to be left over! I was looking at an unopened bag that had some parts in it. This made me quietly concerned. It was 2 seat belt attach points, which I have already fitted so Van's must have put two of them in the kit. Somehow It did not click, that I had 2 of them when I did the check of the parts.

Jim

TSwezey · #7 02-05-2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MauiLvrs

So.. next time you can't find a part or tool ... check that spot

Had a die disappear into thin air from the carpet under the nose.... looked for an hour.
Borrowed one, finished the job. Weeks later... found the die stuck to a piece of tape that was stuck to the vacuum when we went to empty the vacuum cleaner...

I dropped one and found it five years later. It rolled out of the garage and into the grass about 15 feet away. Found it edging one day.

tcrv7 · #8 02-05-2012, 05:11 PM

I lost the charger to my sp400 radio. I took it with me to the races in Tulsa this past January as I went to the several airports during the day to pass the time until we went to the races at nite. I looked hard for the last 3 wks, called the hotel,checked everywhere 3 times. Yesterday went to radioshack to get another charger. This is the luck and truth. My phone rang as I was walking out of the store it was one of the chaps that stayed with me at the hotel. He had picked up my charger as we were bugging out of the room.

AltonD · #9 02-05-2012, 05:30 PM

You ordered TWO PLATE NUTS?

Shipping and handling is going to be the better part of your project.

chipf · #10 02-05-2012, 08:58 PM

I was thinking "You cancelled an order for extra platenuts?". By the time you're working on the panel and FWF, you'll be going through #6 and #8 platenuts like candy. There will be plenty more orders for extras (and the various length pan-head and countersunk screws that they'll be needed for).

A good strategy for this is to hit the parts vendors at SnF or Oshkosh and buy about a hundred of each.