| Author | Message | ||
     Joe Chisolm New member Username: Jchisolm Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2001 |
Many moons ago I got the fiberglass gear kit from Larry. This included all the mounting hardware. The wings I have are not closed, one with minimal work the other basically “out of the crate”. My questions: (1) should I keep the fiberglass gear or switch to the metal gear. Does the aluminum gear increase the GTW (engine is a IO-540). (2) Has anyone had ordered parts from the suppliers listed on the EAC web page? Thanks Joe Chisolm | ||
| Jim Butler Unregistered guest |
Joe, I had the fiberglass gear on my airplane, and changed to the aluminum gear. I am very happy with the aluminum gear, and glad I changed. My primary concern was the lower part of the gear where the axle mounted. It was very thin, and I was always concerned that it would fail. After installing the aluminum gear, I like the stance of the airplane, and don't have to worry about the gear failing at the axle attach point. With the tail of the airplane higher, there is more of a pronounced rotation required for liftoff, but it isn't a problem. Jim | ||
| Jeff Dingbaum New member Username: Aviators Post Number: 31 Registered: 12-2000 |
I ordered some gear pins from EAMF and they are great to do business with. Sent me my pins with and invoice and no bill. Called up to find out how much I owed them. Got the bill the next day and sent out the payment. They were very prompt, courteous, and I won't hesitate to use them again. Jeff | ||
| Gary Markwardt New member Username: Gmark Post Number: 21 Registered: 12-1999 |
Joe, I too switched from the fiberglass to Aluminum gear for the same reasons noted by Jim Butler. Heat can weaken the fiberglass gear at the axle attaching point which is why EAC put a big Al heat sink there. Also, toe and camber are difficult to stabilize with the fiberglass gear and I quickly wore out a set of tires. Another Al advantage is that the max. gross weight can be increased from 3200 to 3400 lb. according to Larry. The higher, more level stance of the airplane is also a big plus in my mind. The Al gear uses the same mounting hardware, so switching is not a problem, just $$$$ like most other plane stuff  . Gary | ||
| Ted Gaston Unregistered guest |
Joe, if you decide to go with the Aluminum gear, you should also reinforce the "window" in rib R where the outboard attach brackets bolt up. The extra stifness of the Aluminum gear results in an increased moment transmitted to the wing and rib R will crack in the corner of the cutout and eventualy separate from the lower skin. It's much easier to beef up the installation before the wing gets closed out than it is to repair afterwards. This is especialy important if you are going to operate off of turf. | ||
| Roger Spencer New member Username: Roger Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2001 |
I can second or third the praise of EAMF. They have done excellent work for me and are a pleasure to work with. I have the aluminum gear and my wings are not closed out. Does anyone have a description of the recommended reinforcement that Ted refers to for rib R? | ||
| Allyn Roe Unregistered guest |
You can call Woodford Phoenix Aerospace Manufacturing and talk to Treford about a "MLG Sandwich Plate" that he waterjet cut back in April. 360-736-9689 This will work on the old style wings. | ||
| Joe Chisolm New member Username: Jchisolm Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2001 |
Thanks everyone for the info. Looks like the Aluminum gear is the way to go. Is the reinforcement of rib R just additional layers on the outboard side or something more complex? | ||
| Brian McKinney New member Username: Bmckinney Post Number: 66 Registered: 05-2000 |
Joe, I made my own steel plates from 1/8" 4130 using the old Wheeler landing gear plates for templates. In fact, if you have the old wheeler plates, just cut the ears off and use those.. See my post from a few years ago: Rib R Plate I only put the plates on the outboard side. I figured since I Hysol'd them to the rib I was gaining a lot of strength. Brian | ||
| ali moghaddas New member Username: Amoghadd Post Number: 13 Registered: 09-2003 |
Here is a description of what I did on my already finished wings I used 0.090" thick 18-8 (high strength) stainless steel plates & Hysoled in place(two plates per rib, inbord & outboard). Any of the 300 series stainless steels are acceptable (303, 304, 316, 321). On the edges of the the reinforcing plate on the inboard rib, I roughed up the metal surface and glassed the corners with two layers off S-glass for extra measure(not shown in the pictures, probably, overkill). Ali    |