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  #1  
Old 10-01-2012, 08:55 PM
keny keny is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Paradise, Ca
Posts: 30
Default Canopy Frame Forward Bow Adjustment

Hello, All, I'm on page 34-03, Step 3 where it tells me to "adjust/bend" the bow so there is 7/16" between it and the instrument panel. Most of the bow is 9/16" away. It wants to move toward the panel as I pull on it and then go back to the original position-9/16" away. Two things: 1. It occurs to me that an 8th of an inch doesn't matter or 2, that I could make a hook out of a clothes hanger that would catch the underside of the bow and underside of the instr. panel. This hook would pull the bow up to 7/16". I would then fit/drill the canopy, letting the canopy hold the bow at 7/16". What is your best suggestion? Thanks, Ken
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  #2  
Old 10-02-2012, 09:44 AM
Mich48041 Mich48041 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Riley TWP MI
Posts: 3,070
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That extra 1/8" could make a difference. It is better to get it right to start with and avoid problems later. What if you open the canopy while bending so that the bow can be bent farther forward without hitting the instrument panel?
On page 34-05 it says: 1/8 GAP BETWEEN C-1201 FORWARD EDGE AND UPPER FORWARD FUSELAGE SKIN
That 1/8" is the MINIMUM gap. Any less than that and the Plexiglass will catch on the top of the instrument panel when opening the canopy.
Joe Gores
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  #3  
Old 10-02-2012, 12:45 PM
kritsher kritsher is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Stow MA
Posts: 174
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A few things:
First, your hook idea would end up putting the canopy under sustained strain. Probably not much, but it's generally never a good idea for plastics. Especially expensive plastics like your canopy.
Second, I found that bending the bow was easily done with the frame pivoted to the UP position. I also had about 1/8" extra gap but it was easily fixed by pulling down on the bow when the frame was UP.
Third, here's a tip for when it's time to mark the drill line on the bow: instead of using the tape method described in the plans, tape some carbon paper around the bow. Pressing on the canopy then leaves a nice distinct contact line on the bow. (carbon paper, for those of you under 40, is a piece of paper that has been impregnated with soot. In the olden days, it was often used with contraptions called "typewriters" to make copies of a document when one did not have access to a "mimeograph machine.")
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Last edited by kritsher : 10-02-2012 at 01:00 PM.
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  #4  
Old 10-02-2012, 12:46 PM
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RVTrumpet RVTrumpet is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 63
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To the best of my knowledge, if you decide to leave the extra gap it should not be a major problem because the fiberglass should cover it. However it is always best to try to follow plans precisely. I am not sure, but it seems to me that if you only held the bow in the correct position while drilling, when you went to attach the canopy later, wouldn't the fastners put a side force on the plexi because they are forcing the bow from the position it wants to be in to the correct position?
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  #5  
Old 10-02-2012, 06:06 PM
keny keny is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Paradise, Ca
Posts: 30
Default Canopy Bow

Thanks to you all for your ideas. I did raise the canopy frame today and pushed the bow into correct position. Ken, I particularly like your carbon paper marking idea but will people fall down laughing when I ask for it or give me a blank stare?? Ken
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  #6  
Old 10-02-2012, 06:24 PM
kritsher kritsher is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Stow MA
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I avoided the risk of public embarrassment by ordering it from Amazon. Ten sheets for less than five bucks.
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  #7  
Old 10-02-2012, 09:19 PM
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RVTrumpet RVTrumpet is offline
 
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Location: Hillsboro, OR
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kritsher View Post
In the olden days, it was often used with contraptions called "typewriters" to make copies of a document when one did not have access to a "mimeograph machine.")
Does this "typewriter" thing have Wifi, an HD screen, and expandable SD memory?
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  #8  
Old 10-03-2012, 09:27 AM
keny keny is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Paradise, Ca
Posts: 30
Default Canopy Bow

Ken, Office Depot has carbon paper for about the same price. Thanks, Ken
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  #9  
Old 10-03-2012, 12:43 PM
kritsher kritsher is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Stow MA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVTrumpet View Post
Does this "typewriter" thing have Wifi, an HD screen, and expandable SD memory?
No, but it does have one of the early versions of E-Ink (it was called "ink") and it's all solid-state technology!
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  #10  
Old 10-03-2012, 02:30 PM
DHeal DHeal is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Windsor, California
Posts: 924
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I used the cheapest / thinnest masking tape I could find (it was on my shelf) and it worked fine -- just like the plans said.
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