Spar Joints

[blakecarl]

Re: Spar Joints

Thanks for all the feedback! I'll be discussing the latest comments with our IA on Monday. Another IA looked at it Friday and was leaning towards thinking the joint may be coming apart. Will update after discussion with IA.

Blake

[blakecarl]

Re: Spar Joints

I took several additional pictures of the spars yesterday. I will place all the pictures that I have of the spar on a site so the high resolution pictures--I had to reduce the resolution to attach them to my post--can be accessed by anyone following this.

I will doing this later today after returning home.

Blake

[blakecarl]

Re: Spar Joints

How does that saying go, "... of mice and men"? Technology is not cooperating with me in my efforts to get the high resolution photos easily available for viewing. I'm waiting for approval of my registration on the "Tcraft Gallery" and uploading original high resolution photos to Shutterfly has thus far been unsuccessful.

In the mean time I have placed all our spar photos with moderate resolution at http://blakeandomarstaylorcraft.shutterfly.com/. The password is “spar798”. Clicking on this link should open a window on your web browser where you can enter the password. If you have problems accessing and would like some help PM me. If someone is aware of an alternate method that would be better please let me know and I’ll give it a try.

Photos are of the front and rear spars, you can probably figure out which are which. Photo numbers 483, 484, 485, 514 and 516 are of the areas where there have been concerns thus far. Let me know if you see something else that may be a concern and would like a close up, different angle, etc.

What about doing a flex test of questionable joints? Draw lines perpendicular across joints then lift the plane up near wing tips. Any movement across the joint would show up as lines that no longer line up across the joint. I realize there are details to consider like adding weight to the fuse, how to safely lift on the wings, etc. At this point I’m curious if the basic idea is worth pursuing.

Blake

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Spar Joints

I think we talked on the phone, your ship has had spars replaced, those appear to be laminated spars, your ship did not have them originally. Like we discussed you need to scrape the varnish off and flex the spar to see any problems.

[blakecarl]

Re: Spar Joints

It was our IA that called you. I proposed a couple of details regarding a flex test in my email just prior to yours in this thread. Are there any additional details of doing this test that you would be able to provide? IE should weight be placed in the plane; if so, how much; etc.

Blake

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Spar Joints

The IA and I discussed this I guess.... e-mail me direct and then we can post any results onto the forumn. [email protected]

[blakecarl]

Re: Spar Joints

The IA called me to come out to the hangar last Friday. He used a 0.0015 feeler gauge to show me how it would penetrate well into the joint with little effort. It varied but was probably in the range of 1/8 to possibly up to 1/4 inch of penetration. There were several spots on all four spars where this was the case.

So there is no doubt in my mind that all four spars need to be addressed. It appears to me that the best way to do this is by replacing with new. Any suggestions about sources for built up spars, proper dimensions, materials, etc., would be appreciated.

Blake

[Robert Lees]

Re: Spar Joints

Have a word with Wicks.

They build wooden Organs of the highest spec...but they keep the best wood for aeroplane spar stock.

[N96337]

Re: Spar Joints

I've used this outfit a couple times and was always happy with quality and price. They shipped the last set to me (for a J3) on Delta Air Freight and it was dirt cheap!
John

http://www.bigskystearman.com/pricing.html

PS. Check out the local wooden boat suppliers...nothing wrong with their spruce if it meets spec. It then becomes an owner produced part.

[blakecarl]

Re: Spar Joints

Where can I get the correct dimensions of spars for a BC12-65? Would Forrest have drawings of this? I realize the suppliers may have the dimensions but I would feel better if I could confirm them.

Blake

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Spar Joints

Hi #1009 , you e-mailed me and I answered you , check the inbox ; help is on the way.