no more skinny legs

from 10-16-2022

 I was able to get the wheel pants and the leg fairings on this last week. No more skinny legs.

Using two laser levels from Harbor Freight made it easier than the factory instructions. One level kept it aligned, the second was used to mark where to drill the holes in the brackets when the pants were placed on.

As you can see in the picture, I did it before the wings were on. I can not see doing this with the wings on. I pity the fool...Mr T

from 10/29/22

After the fairings were fitted, I took them off and added gear leg stiffeners. In the past, others have reported the rod steel gear legs wuld shimmy. This is most likely due to the fact that the gear legs can move up and down, fore and back, with the same easiness. The gear leg stiffeners make the gear resist the fore and aft shimmy, abut do not detract from the up and down flex.

Traditionally these have been made of wood molding from Lowe's and then fiber glassed onto the gear legs, under the fairings. Lately, others have started using metal strips held on with clamps. 

I followed Paul Dye’s lead and used adel clamps, one of each size and one layer of gorrilla tape instead of the rubber inserts. I wanted some adhesive that would grip the legs and not let the clamps wiggle down the tapered leg.

I bent the adel clamps so the gap was centered on the hoop, if that makes sense. I ended up putting the metal between the adel clamps to align the metal with the centroid of the legs.

For screws I used steel button head allen type 10-32s and thin (shear) self locking nuts.

The clamps worked out to be exactly the same distance apart with the total distance between top clamp and lowest about 20.25”

I am really happy with the way it turned out, but proof is in the first flight. Tell then….

Panel Clean up

 from 10/12/22

I re installed the instruments and cleaned up as much as I could inside the plane. Once the wings are on, it will be impossible to get in there. 

Wheels and brakes

 from 9/24/22

Well cowling hold down pins are in and done.

I cleaned up the inside fuselage area, like tying up wires, adjusting flap mechanism, installing alternate static switch, etc

Also re installed all instruments and completed panel.

Started on the wheels and brakes, hoping to get this thing to stand on its legs soon.

The brakes and wheels installation really took some research. Thanks to those who came before for posting.

And the second picture: Gear On!