Any use for an unusable stabilizer

[cdeerinck]

Originally Posted by iwannarv

What part of the HS stabilizer is 'failed', making it all unusable?

Please PM me if you wish not to answer out in the open.... But that is a good sized assembly to get to the end and think 'Eh, that won't fly'. 90% of the time what I thought was a horrible 'throw it away' mistake turned out to be just a minor fix from Vans. Makes me paranoid all my flying parts I spend months on are trash and I don't know it.


EDIT: I just saw it was during the SB this did not work...... Inquiring mind still would like to learn if you can PM me. Thanks.....

No problem doing it out here in the open. The only problem is the holes near the center that secure it to the fuselage. Direct from Vans, they said build another. Also, I had used some Super-Fil on the skin rivets, based on having seen a finished plane done that way. It looks great after paint, but ugly as sin until then.

[MK77]

FWIW I also tried to repair a HS that had the attach hole mis-drilled in the process of mating it to the fuse. I thought I would do the SB at the same time. Not exactly an easy SB to accomplish. No wonder they warn not to do it as a preventative measure on a flying plane. At the end of the day I wasn't happy with how it turned out and just went with a new HS.

[larosta]

May have a use for it near to your location. Sent PM

-larosta

[WingsOnWheels]

If you are going to paint yourself, save it for practice.

[Tom Martin]

Mount it over the entrance door of your hangar/shop. You will be the envy of your airplane buddies. Best airport awning!!!!

[N804RV]

Painting practice! Nail down the details on that fancy paint job . I have a vertical stab that is my practice piece.

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by cdeerinck

So after trying to do the RV-8 Horizontal Stabilizer SB, and failing, I had to rebuild a new stabilizer.

Bummer! Assuming this is the Spar web crack SB....
For those considering the SB, inspection is also a path to meet the SB. I wouldn?t do the SB unless I had reason to. I know folks are trying to stay ahead of the game and do not want to deal with it on a finished airplane, but I would do the inspection, and if cracks ever develop, build a new one and swap out the old. It?s my opinion that most will never have to be done, and if it needs it, many will build another one anyway as it isn?t easy unless your an experienced builder.
Two cents from a guy who is on the inspection program and so far, so good.

[VP1]

I'm a little South down in San Diego but would love it for wall art for the shop if you decide to get rid of it. I could pick it up anytime.

[roadrunner20]

Originally Posted by RV7A Flyer

http://www.motoart.com/

Great ideas!
I've had my first fuel tank attempt sitting in the hangar for the last 13 years.
I too kept it as a reminder & never felt comfortable enough to scrap it, thinking it might be of some use in the future.

[cdeerinck]

Originally Posted by VP1

I'm a little South down in San Diego but would love it for wall art for the shop if you decide to get rid of it. I could pick it up anytime.

I already promised it to someone in Carlsbad. If that falls through, your #2.