In search of original wing wire clips (update Jan 2026 see page 7 and later)

[DonJohnson]

if you get Martin clips and drill new holes (gaining 1/8 in each time) would that not work although not completely not origional? I don't know difference in material from which clips are made

[Hank Jarrett]

Watch out for IAs who will tell you the 43.13 doesn't allow that. Make sure is going to sign your work off is OK with extra holes in the rib flange.

Hank

[DonJohnson]

I asked about that IA told me extra holes is OK...going to read 43:13 about that

[Hank Jarrett]

Just worried since I have had a few A&P IAs who had never worked on an old tube and fabric plane come up with some wild ideas about what is and isn't "legal". We need to avoid them. Once an IA has put something in writing about something being "UN-Airworthy" it is understandable that another IA doesn't want to counter them, even when they know the first IA didn't know what they were talking about. We have a lot of really great IAs who actually understand our planes. Find them and use them!

Hank.

[Mark Bowden]

Hank and Greg,
On that drawing, I had one of my employees make that from a section of Tcraft wire I had. It was posted here a number of years back. I also have the ProE file.
I also posted before and attach here again a copy of the Aeronca wire drawing. And Martin wire label off a box of Martin wire.

Search is your friend, as some here have been know to say.

The challenge I ran into in finding a vendor was that all the wire bending shops couldn't really handle that small of a wire diameter. I couldn't find a vendor that was willing to try.

And I never said it was an aircraft part. Haven't had the time to look since.

If we could find a vendor I would get mutiple wings worth of orders.

Mark
Aeronca wing fabric clip wire dwg.pdf
Martin Fabric Clip Wire 09-19400stc.pdf

[Mark Bowden]

The challenge with adding a "new" hole every 1/8" is you would have some double drilled holes where the spring wouldn't have any retention force until you migrated the spacing enough.

If you have holes that are worn due to the wire cutting into the aluminum it would be better to move the hole pattern so all holes are fresh.

Opening up all the holes to accomidate the hole wear would also reduce the retention force of the spring wire so that wouldn't be maybe the best course. You may have to replace a rib with new it the holes are bad. Again subject to your IA's approval.

PK screws and rib stitching also work as a repair.

[Jim Herpst]

I tried getting Michigan Spring Company in Detroit to provide me a quote, I submitted an actual example (Supplied by HANK in a tube to me) AND a drawing . NO reference was ever made to airplane or aircraft. The salesman (who I got the number from the front desk inside sales lady who had asked for the sample and drawing to begin with) refused to call me back and even when she herself left messages for him to call and he refused to call me back. THEY DO HAVE THE APPROPRIATELY SIZED WIRE ...Dimensionally
They do list AEROSPACE in their description of products supplied. Again I NEVER mentioned Aircraft...if asked it would have been awning clips as the intended use!!! I suspect the sales guy knew the deal ...now is it that THEY MAKE THE MARTIN WIRE??? Why the hell this guy would not even be so polite as to return the call is beyond me. I am a sales guy and can and did follow up. After no response for a month with a few calls it became follow up every week to him and them like a rug being beaten against the wall to release dirt!! No dirt to show!!!

[taylorcraft_52]

I tried getting Michigan Spring Company in Detroit to provide me a quote, I submitted an actual example (Supplied by HANK in a tube to me) AND a drawing . NO reference was ever made to airplane or aircraft. The salesman (who I got the number from the front desk inside sales lady who had asked for the sample and drawing to begin with) refused to call me back and even when she herself left messages for him to call and he refused to call me back. THEY DO HAVE THE APPROPRIATELY SIZED WIRE ...Dimensionally
They do list AEROSPACE in their description of products supplied. Again I NEVER mentioned Aircraft...if asked it would have been awning clips as the intended use!!! I suspect the sales guy knew the deal ...now is it that THEY MAKE THE MARTIN WIRE??? Why the hell this guy would not even be so polite as to return the call is beyond me. I am a sales guy and can and did follow up. After no response for a month with a few calls it became follow up every week to him and them like a rug being beaten against the wall to release dirt!! No dirt to show!!!

I've run in to situations like that too many times recently. It has become so difficult to get basic customer service anymore and It is disheartening to know that an outfit exists that has the capability to manufacture something like this and we just can't get through to them.

One of your points raises an interesting question though - who makes the Martin wire and why, for the love of god, can't they adjust it slightly to fit the T-Crafts.

[Jim Herpst]

My bet is these guys I just discussed make the Martin wire.......sad

[TCUDustoff]

Has anybody tried calling Aircraft Spruce and seeing if they would be willing to talk to their manufacturer about doing a batch of Taylorcraft wire if we can get enough folks together? If anything else, they might be able to facilitate us getting in contact with whomever makes it? By going this route, we could navigate the already established channels -- all they would need to do is modify the spacing and could use the same material / tool (I assume) which might make it easier?

[Jim Herpst]

Has anybody tried calling Aircraft Spruce and seeing if they would be willing to talk to their manufacturer about doing a batch of Taylorcraft wire if we can get enough folks together? If anything else, they might be able to facilitate us getting in contact with whomever makes it? By going this route, we could navigate the already established channels -- all they would need to do is modify the spacing and could use the same material / tool (I assume) which might make it easier?

Good ides. Please call them . Thank you from the rest of us

[Jim Herpst]

Has anybody tried calling Aircraft Spruce and seeing if they would be willing to talk to their manufacturer about doing a batch of Taylorcraft wire if we can get enough folks together? If anything else, they might be able to facilitate us getting in contact with whomever makes it? By going this route, we could navigate the already established channels -- all they would need to do is modify the spacing and could use the same material / tool (I assume) which might make it easier?

Where are we on this? Any one else want to try? I am tired of pounding my head against a blank wall. Going to try to re use mine if possible.

[kevinbrooker]

I'm currently building a CNC wire bender which should be able to produce the parts. What length is needed per rib? If I can find straight stock it's orders of magnitude easier than straightening coils. No idea of what the costs might be as this is dependent upon what the cost of the wire is

[Jim Herpst]

I'm currently building a CNC wire bender which should be able to produce the parts. What length is needed per rib? If I can find straight stock it's orders of magnitude easier than straightening coils. No idea of what the costs might be as this is dependent upon what the cost of the wire is

Two different lengths. One for aileron section of wing. The other for the full wing. I will be removing each and can measure. Conversely someone here probably has both already. We have the drawings and actual sections

[3Dreaming]

I'm currently building a CNC wire bender which should be able to produce the parts. What length is needed per rib? If I can find straight stock it's orders of magnitude easier than straightening coils. No idea of what the costs might be as this is dependent upon what the cost of the wire is

The Martin wire comes in 25 foot sections, then you cut to the length you need. I'm not sure how the Taylorcraft wire was supplied, but I believe it was also in a roll and cut to length.