Wooden trim tab???

[Ron Greene]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

From the L-2 blueprints, may be different from the BC-12D.

[N74DV]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

We used a piece of 1/8" music wire. Had to chuck it up in a drill and spin it through some 600 grit paper in my hand to size it down a couple thousandths to get it to fit the hinge tubes. On ours the pin is held in place by a 1/16" cotter pin through one end. Music wire is hardened. If you are going to drill through music wire you need to anneal the area you wish to drill first. Put a torch flame to it until its bright red hot then let it naturally air cool slowly. Might take twice. Then punch a small divet in the end where you want to drill and drill with a regular jobber bit at mid-range RPM with a drop or two of cutting oil. Drills like a hot knife in butter.

[Szpmichael]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

Hey guys. Got the tab covered today. What are you all using for the wire hinge pin?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

Someone 50 years from now will open up your plane and think the factory did a lot nicer work than they really did!
Hank

Of course, that will be true for a LOT of the Tribes planes! How many of us have rebuilt something that was fine for 70 years that was a factor part, just because we thought it could be done better? A lot of the wood work I have seen on restorations put the factory parts to shame.

[N74DV]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

Ours is wood. We just replaced it 2 months ago. It was made from some cheap plywood. We replaced with with some tighter grained birch ply. We made a new trim tab jack screw assembly at the same time as it had excessive play on the internal and external thread fit.

[cvavon]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

Shannon took the L2 drawing and photo shopped it and cleaned it up some

[Ron Greene]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

L-2 Drawing showing attach fittings and rivets. I do not have the rivet drawings. On my original trim tab it has rivets but they look hollow so you may be confusing this with a pop rivet.

[Szpmichael]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

Thanks guys! i'll let you know how it goes

-michael

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

Michael's tab picture is exactly what was on my 45, right down to the notches in the hinge cut out areas. When you get it, it will be pretty obvious how it goes together. If there is any confusion we can help.
Hank

[Robert Lees]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

I assume they intend you to re-use the original hardware?

Rob

[Szpmichael]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

Im not sure how im gonna go about preparing to attach this thing once it's covered. does anybody know about attaching hinges to this thing? This is the one I ordered. should be getting here today.

[Szpmichael]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

Hi Michael,

No, I have never seen a solid wood trim tab (but of course the aluminium ones are). I have one of each..on two aeroplanes of course!

Just to answer the question about lightening holes, I took my trim tab off and tore off the fabric, just to show everyone the sort of thing that these wooden trim tabs look like.




Below are photos.


Just kidding! The photos below are from a 1950's Auster (ultimately developed from the Model A Taylorcraft) that I am recovering, but the same principle applies. Note the rivets, even through wood.

I'm not convinced that your trim tab is a safety issue, but if it's up to your IA to do the signing, then go with what he says.

Keep posting, and thanks for using your name...we don't bite!

Well thats interesting... wood tab with rivets!

[cvavon]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

The wire hinge pin on my tab has one end bent in a L about 1/2 in long, on the other end there is a hole drilled and a cotter pin that keeps it from backing out.I think over the years people made there own parts for this out of what worked.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

oh and also to rob-

are you telling me you've seen a solid wood trim tab on a t-cart before? I only ordered the new one because it was inexpensive and it seems like you and everybody on here is using the covered wood ones...

best,
Michael

Hi Michael,

No, I have never seen a solid wood trim tab (but of course the aluminium ones are). I have one of each..on two aeroplanes of course!

Just to answer the question about lightening holes, I took my trim tab off and tore off the fabric, just to show everyone the sort of thing that these wooden trim tabs look like.




Below are photos.


Just kidding! The photos below are from a 1950's Auster (ultimately developed from the Model A Taylorcraft) that I am recovering, but the same principle applies. Note the rivets, even through wood.

I'm not convinced that your trim tab is a safety issue, but if it's up to your IA to do the signing, then go with what he says.

Keep posting, and thanks for using your name...we don't bite!

[Szpmichael]

Re: Wooden trim tab???

Thanks 3Dreaming!