10 foot flap brake

[Alphalpha]

Made an extra long sudo brake for the 9’2” long flap top skins, which Vans only folds as far as a real brake will go. Also rebuilt my original sudo brake which is now over thirty years old.

 

[TShort]

Those look nice and straight.
What kind of wood is the new one?
I have one from the -8 control surfaces that is 20+ years old ... I think I made it from poplar, and it is still straight. I thought about using it on the -15 flaps but am not sure how bending less than the whole thing at once might go... it is not long enough to do the whole thing.

 

[Alphalpha]

Those look nice and straight.
What kind of wood is the new one?
I have one from the -8 control surfaces that is 20+ years old ... I think I made it from poplar, and it is still straight. I thought about using it on the -15 flaps but am not sure how bending less than the whole thing at once might go... it is not long enough to do the whole thing.

It is a slab of red oak I got at cabinetry lumber yard for $35. I then ran it through a planer and split it to 3 1/2 x 3/4. I was concerned about possible creases from using one too short so made this one. I’m hoping to use a series of clamps to force the folding in a somewhat controlled manner.

 

[MCA]

I'm made a similar brake, and was bouncing on it and walking back and forth (200 lb), it still did not bend as much as I wanted. Interested to hear if you figure it out.

I think Van's should fully bend this piece, no reason to leave it open like it is.

 

[rocketman1988]

I'm made a similar brake, and was bouncing on it and walking back and forth (200 lb), it still did not bend as much as I wanted. Interested to hear if you figure it out.

I think Van's should fully bend this piece, no reason to leave it open like it is.

Did you leave clearance for the bend radius between the boards on your brake?

 

[BillL]

Has anyone projected the airfoil form back to the end and determined the desired TE radius? .09" from a bend chart is minimum, but projection may be greater.

 

[rocketman1988]

Has anyone projected the airfoil form back to the end and determined the desired TE radius? .09" from a bend chart is minimum, but projection may be greater.

On the ailerons, I found that a 1/4" rod fit about right in the TE bend...

 

[dpansier]

Alphalpha
Would you provide more details about what appears to be a one wheel aircraft mover?
Thank you

 

[Alphalpha]

Alphalpha
Would you provide more details about what appears to be a one wheel aircraft mover?
Thank you

View attachment 113469

Wilco
Have to get to hangar for that. It includes some buying, some welding, some machining and fabrication and some more welding and finishing with some paint. But I have drawings and pictures along with a short buy list.

PS it has two up front wheels.

 

[JoeB15]

Did you leave clearance for the bend radius between the boards on your brake?

I’m going to attempt to build this over the weekend. Has anyone determined how much clearance is required?

 

[aturner]

I’m going to attempt to build this over the weekend. Has anyone determined how much clearance is required?

I didn’t leave any clearance. Grabbed a couple of planks from the top of the stack in the wood shed, they happened to be walnut. Ran theough the jointer for nice straight edges. Used ten small hinges, there is a lot of force on them. Pushed the trailing edge all the way in and it took two of us standing on it, walking back and forth and bouncing to bend it down to 15 degrees. Turned out nice.