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[QUOTE=Hank Jarrett;90797]There are some broken switches around occasionally that can be rebuilt with a Bendix behind them. You put the key into the back of the lever with Epoxy. When you put the key in it looks original and works great. Added advantage is you can take the key and lever with you.
I have converted several (IA inspected them and liked it, much safer and more reliable than the original switches). I would need to get with you on exactly which switch you have, but none are too hard to make, just slightly different. I would NOT modify a good working switch! The really anal retentive restorers value their originality too much to destroy a working one (yes, I am one and have a good original in a box I can put in if I ever decide to).
Can you post a photo or two of the lever mag switch you want to convert? We can get together and I can show you how to do it.
I have converted several (IA inspected them and liked it, much safer and more reliable than the original switches). I would need to get with you on exactly which switch you have, but none are too hard to make, just slightly different. I would NOT modify a good working switch! The really anal retentive restorers value their originality too much to destroy a working one (yes, I am one and have a good original in a box I can put in if I ever decide to).
Can you post a photo or two of the lever mag switch you want to convert? We can get together and I can show you how to do it.
I have converted several (IA inspected them and liked it, much safer and more reliable than the original switches). I would need to get with you on exactly which switch you have, but none are too hard to make, just slightly different. I would NOT modify a good working switch! The really anal retentive restorers value their originality too much to destroy a working one (yes, I am one and have a good original in a box I can put in if I ever decide to).
Can you post a photo or two of the lever mag switch you want to convert? We can get together and I can show you how to do it.
That's the easy one to convert, and that one is also missing parts so it is a good candidate. Maybe we should get together and do a thread on the process. I need to do another one for the 45 too. Tulsa is kind of far from Virginia Beach. We may need to do this on line.
I was thinking Vintage Airplane did a small article on the conversion I did on mine in my 1941 BL back in late 1994 or early 1995. I have done a couple. I am not saying I was the first to do this, but when I did my first I was not aware of anyone else who had done the conversion. It is pretty easy to figure out.
That's the easy one to convert, and that one is also missing parts so it is a good candidate. Maybe we should get together and do a thread on the process. I need to do another one for the 45 too. Tulsa is kind of far from Virginia Beach. We may need to do this on line.
Hank, not sure what you mean by "convert", can you explain your concept? Per Tom's article, you only keep the lever and the panel escutcheon. A new switch mounts in the panel, then braze the key into the lever, both cover up the new switch.
Always thought this was an awesome idea, wish I had our original to do.
Hank, not sure what you mean by "convert", can you explain your concept? Per Tom's article, you only keep the lever and the panel escutcheon. A new switch mounts in the panel, then braze the key into the lever, both cover up the new switch.
Always thought this was an awesome idea, wish I had our original to do.
Mark
That is not the article that I was talking about. Mine was modification using the face plate and handle from the A7 and putting a modern keyed switch behind it. The key is installed in the handle, and then the handle can be removed from the switch and stored elsewhere.
The article looks like a good one for repair and maintenance of the switch. If you have one in good shape I WOULD NOT tear it up to make a conversion. That said, these switches are getting really old and have a history of failing. If I was using the "good" one I have I would have a second ground switch in the system so I could shut everything down if the switch failed. I would check with my IA before making mods like that to the plane! If something went wrong I don't want it coming back on him.
My "conversion" is to use only the front plate and lever too but I filled the lever with epoxy. I would have never thought to try and braze to the lever. Wish I had known others had done this when I made mine. It really is a pretty natural idea.
The 41 uses a completely different mag switch from the 45 and I had to make the lever. If you look close you can see the 41 Deluxe type switch plate and lever. One confusing thing is the plate is labeled with 1 and 2, not Left and Right. Works great and most are really surprised when I pull the lever with a key out of the panel.
Sorry, for confusion. I posted link to the maintenance article AND referred to Tom's article attached here. Marty I did search for yours and in 5 pages of search results didn't see it using term A7, I may have missed it.
The attachment is a page from the Taylorcraft News, #147 which was reprinted with permission from VAA.
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