Finish welded five more clusters. I had one bead that must have gotten contaminated some how? It would just pop holes no matter what I did? I finally ground out the filler, and ran another bead. Very frustrating as this was a difficult spot to reach in the first place. I used the flexible attachment on my Craftsman rotary tool to do this. This thing works great.
I have been using my shop light to pre-heat the tubing until it's warm to the touch. This works great and it's quick. It stays about 60 in my shop without the heater on, but I don't want to weld on cold steel.
I also talked to a gentleman tonight about a Lycoming O-290 D2 engine? Maybe?
10/16/05 - 1.5 hours - Total Time 330.5 hours.
Finish welded three more clusters.
10/17/05 - 1.5 hours - Total Time 332.0 hours.
Finish welded two more clusters.
10/19/05 - 1.5 hours - Total Time 333.5 hours.
Finish welded three more clusters.
10/23/05 - 3.5 hours - Total Time 337.0 hours.
Finish welded three more clusters. Started fabrication of the rudder horn. Also started fabrication of the aft tailwheel fitting. I bent the .069 4130 around a couple of pieces of angle Iron. I also opened-up the 5/16 .065 to the 3/16 ID for the bolts.
I had made arrangements to look at the O-290 engine Saturday. I researched all the AD's, and had pretty much decided I would buy the O-290 if everything checked out. So I was about ready to go, when someone else bought the motor for $500 more than the asking price, sight unseen! Oh, well? Planning on buying the wheels in the next week or so. This should keep me busy for a while. I'm sure a good engine will come along. Just need to be patient!
10/24/05 - 1.5 hours - Total Time 338.5 hours.
Finish welded two more clusters.
10/27/05 - 0.5 hours - Total Time 339.0 hours.
Finish fabrication of rudder horn.
11/01/05 - 0.0 hours - Total Time 339.0 hours.
Received my Yoke and Jackscrew today. $135 from a guy on Barnstormers.com (these would have been $241.45 new) Also ordered my wheels, brakes, tailwheel, centering springs, tires, tubes today. (I bought these new from MATCO and Aircraft Spruce) Found a tailwheel spring at a local FBO for $20. (this lists for $96 new) Picked-up main landing gear shock springs on E-bay for $16.50. (These are $86.25 new) I will still have around $1000 into the gear at this point. Haven't ordered the master cylinders yet.
11/07/05 - 2.5 hours - Total Time 341.5 hours.
Final welded 4 more clusters. Received my tires, 8X6" Carlisle's. Also received the pillow blocks for the control tube mount between the front and rear sticks. Unfortunately, one was missing a piece. I'm sure they will send the another. This is the part I'm talking about. http://www.mcmaster.com Item # 3015T28
