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  #11  
Old 04-06-2020, 05:40 PM
amaris amaris is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Santa Ynez, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by terrye View Post
The two biggest problems I had with the canopy frame itself were matching the front and rear hoops to the roll bar and the aft deck skin profile. I assume you have mounted the roll bar and you are happy with the result. The roll bar too had to be bent to fit but that's not what you are asking.

The advice from Vans is to lean on the frame (or pull between tubes) to bend it to shape. Didn't work for me, I'm a lightweight and the 4130 tubing has a lot of springback.

After trying to bend the front and rear hoops using a ratchet strap between the square side tubes and the center round tube, I also gave this up. This would change the distance between the side and round tubes, but not the profile of the front and rear hoops.

What I finally did was trace the roll bar and aft deck skin profiles on a piece of cardboard, then transfer these profiles to my workbench. I bought a small hydraulic pump/hose/cylinder (portapower) and made a "T" frame from aluminum channel. The hydraulic cylinder was mounted to the down leg of the "T" and I made small wooden bending shoes for each end of the cross "T" as well as a wooden bending shoe for the cylinder. The "T" frame is open so once it is sitting horizontally on the bench, I could them lower the canopy frame into it and use the hydraulic cylinder to gradually change the bend profile of the front and rear hoops.

Hope this helps.
I think I kind of understand. I've been successful using a conduit bender to focus the bends in certain regions. Though yours sounds more high tech!
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  #12  
Old 04-06-2020, 05:41 PM
amaris amaris is offline
 
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Thanks, Larry. I'm at the point of needing constant hand-holding on this phase and being able to video (until we are out of quarantine) is the only way I have any chance of making this work. I will bother you when I have more questions again though!
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  #13  
Old 04-06-2020, 06:48 PM
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wirejock wirejock is offline
 
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Location: Estes Park, CO
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amaris View Post
Thanks, Larry. I'm at the point of needing constant hand-holding on this phase and being able to video (until we are out of quarantine) is the only way I have any chance of making this work. I will bother you when I have more questions again though!
Allen
If you don't get the help you need, I do have Skype on my phone (never used) and between us, I'm sure we can make it work. Happy to help if I can.
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  #14  
Old 04-06-2020, 06:57 PM
PilotjohnS PilotjohnS is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Southwest
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I am following this thread with interest. I plan to start this part of build within a few weeks. Keep those ideas coming, I am soaking it all up!!! And thank you in advance.
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  #15  
Old 04-06-2020, 07:08 PM
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vlittle vlittle is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Victoria, Canada
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Team Rocket got it right. You get all the bits without powder coat and you heat the hoops with a torch and bend to fit with wood blocks screwed to your workbench, then weld the frame while its jigged on the airplane.

Paint or powdercoat the result.
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  #16  
Old 04-07-2020, 11:55 AM
WingsOnWheels WingsOnWheels is offline
 
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Location: Plano, TX
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I sent you a PM with my number, I am happy to talk you through it as well. However, my plane is at the airport so I may not be able to show and tell as much as describe. That said, I have small children, so I am good at breaking things down into small steps.
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  #17  
Old 04-07-2020, 12:52 PM
PilotjohnS PilotjohnS is offline
 
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Location: Southwest
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WingsOnWheels View Post
I sent you a PM with my number, I am happy to talk you through it as well. However, my plane is at the airport so I may not be able to show and tell as much as describe. That said, I have small children, so I am good at breaking things down into small steps.
My wife tells me I am a small child,, still.
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John S

WARNING! Information presented in this post is my opinion. All users of info have sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for their use.

Dues paid 2020, worth every penny

RV9A- Status:
Tail 98% done
Wings 98% done
Fuselage Kit 98% done
Finishing Kit 35% canopy done for now
Electrical 5% in work
Firewall Forward 5% in work
www.pilotjohnsrv9.blogspot.com
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  #18  
Old 04-07-2020, 01:02 PM
amaris amaris is offline
 
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Location: Santa Ynez, CA
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You guys are funny. I want to throw a tantrum like a small child at the moment!
Colin, I PM'd you back. Thanks for the offer!
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