Hints For Homebuilders - What would you like to see?

Joe

How about some of these. HFH Projects

 Mechanical: Use of tools

Shrinking and fluting pliers

Dimpling tools, Large throat dimplers, riveters

Rivet squeezers, Rivet Guns, bucking bars

Blind Rivet tools

Cutting tools

Drills, Countersinks, combined drill and countersinks, reamers

Hole Saws, fly cutters, step drills

Abrasive cut-off wheels, polishers, surface finishing disks (how to blend)

Wood tools

Jig saws, jig saw blades

Forming tools (Surform)

Composite tools

Layup rollers, squeegees

Fabric cutters

Small scales and ratio mixers for adhesives

Electrical tools,

Wire connector crimpers/positioners, Connector pin insertion tools

Components Installation and limitations of Specialty fasteners

Blind rivets, blind bolts, blind nuts, nutplates

Hi-lok pins/collars, Lockbolt pins/collars

Dzus fasteners, Camloc fasteners

Click-bond studs, standoffs, nutplates, electrical loom supports

Adhesives & sealants

Firewall sealants

Electrical Connectors

Don't forget that there are some homebuilders who don't have access to people with experience building aircraft.

Joanne,

Thanks for the comprehensive list!  Some of these look like good subjects for the magazine while others might be more suited for video Hints For Homebuilders for the website.  Either way, good input!

Thanks again!

Joe

The plans call for 8 equally spaced holes. The easiest way I know how to lay out any number of equally spaced holes on a ROUND tube with reasonable accuracy is using a piece of tape, a marking pen and a fan spacer. If you don't have a fan spacer, a machinist scale will work almost as easily. The pictures should explain the process:.

I would like a fairly in-depth discussion of torque wrench use. Digital, click, and beam types...advantages, accuracy, cost, utility, etc.

Thanks

John,

We have two Hints for Homebuilder Videos we published on Torque Wrench techniuque.

Nice hint Rick!  We'll probably use it!! 

Thanks!

Joe

Joe,

How about a series on how to set up a paint gun and blow polyurethane paint, epoxy primer, etc.

Dan

Joe,

On another thread we had a small discussion about using the Tubemiter program for notching tubes for clusters.  I find Tubemiter very useful, and it is a good high-tech application of an old-fashioned technique.

This thread has some discussion about it (see post #6 in particular.)

http://www.oshkosh365.org/ok365_DiscussionBoardTopic.aspx?id=1235&boardid=147&forumid=178&topicid=3725

Morning Joe:

I am finishing a Sonerai IIL and am reworking the fuselage tubing.  My gas welds are not as nice as TIG welds. I am interested in seeing examples of good gas welds, especially at tubing intersections.   Also, what is the best way to remove and replace a plate or tang welded to tubing.  I am working with 4130 at this time.

I'd like to make an air/oil separator in aluminum and would like to see good welds with this material as well.

Thanks,

Bill

I'd like to see a vid on making d-sub connectors; the different types of pins, crimpers, and wire sizes accomodated.

Don

More composite info. There is a lot not covered, resins, fiberglass types and when to use, different materials joined with composites, vacume bagging, recognizing problems in layups etc....

How about a section with a series of videos explaining flight test parameters and methods.

Another series might address cabin treatments and upholstery.

And finally, how about a series on prep and painting your aircraft.

David Lewis

RV-7A Empennage & Wings

I would like to see Hints for precision drilling of replacement spars.  The most critical area is strut attachments and butt attachment. 

Thanks

Mark Williams

Hey Friends!

I know it has been addressed before, but aligning and installing DZUS fasteners is still very challenging. Maybe you can make it look easy for us!  Thanks!  John L

I would like to see some basic aircraft wiring for those of us who are electrically challenged.

Roger Wibbels

Atwater, Ca.

Thanks for all the good ideas.  Keep them coming!  We continue to work on new video clips as well as printed hints in Sport Aviation, so the more ideas the better!

Cheers!

Joe

Joe,

We haven't seen anything on metal shaping. Let's start with simple fairings and work up to cowls! Any beginner use of shrinker/stretcher, english wheel and planishing hammer would be great.

Joe:

HFH is a great resource and is greatly appreciated.  Here are some topics I'd like to see addressed, even though some of them may not fit the HFH short format:

-magneto maintenance

-engine timing

-repairing metal prop nicks

-changing a tire/tube

-brake puck replacement

-painting

Many thanks,

Bob Shumaker

Glasair II-RG