Bungee Assistance Please

[dkenney1]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

I wanted to put out a huge thank you to the Taylorcraft "Tribe" for your advice and assistance on this project. Simple for most of you but a little daunting at first for me. I finally got a break from work today to try to get this project done. Everything seemed to work in the right direction. 50 degrees and sunny, Airport Manager said, "use the new hangar", wife and son showed up with a engine hoist/lift wife bought so I could lift the plane (nothing too good for her "little Taylor"). We were nervous about cutting the old ones, but to our surprise, there was NO sound, NO snap, it was like sawing wood. Best on your comments, this is not usual, so that would indicate to me the old were pretty wasted? The were stiff, almost brittle. Bump stops were hard and flaky, so now the time to fix that. Now I need the axe handle guards, GREAT!!! My wife smiles, goes to the car, she stopped at ACE on the way in and bought a few. Some cutting and drilling and while on that project I notice my 14 year old son under the plane washing/degreasing and then starting to wax the belly. Why is God smiling on me like this? Dave Rude's tool is SWEET, taking the danger and angst out of it. Thank you Dave for sending me one!!! A few of you asked if I could video the tool in action, which we did. However, I will get permission from Dave before posting, since it appears some vendor copied portions of his design. The safety cables can be annoying and I have a feeling mine are a bit long.

I sent an old and new pic of how far the gear was below the belly and now the covers are sucked up to the belly. So what's your thoughts on virtually no elasticity on the old bungees? They didn't even move when cut all the way through. Also for some reason the previous owner put 3 on each side. I did 2 on each side of 9010HD. Also is it just in my head, or could the new shock cords improved ground handling? It seemed to taxi straighter and smoother, landing on pavement with 8 kt crosswind was a non-event with wing low, hardly had to touch the rudder to follow straight as arrow. Thank you again gang. One project down. Now learn an oil change and would like to get shoulder harnesses installed.

[M Towsley]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

I responded on your FB post regarding some of this.

[dkenney1]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

I know there are many threads regarding the topic of landing gear bungees and how to replace them, etc. Today I had the pleasure to speak with David Rude that has previously manufactured a useful and safety enhanced tool. Dave seemed like a great guy and very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, he does not have any of the tools available and does not anticipate producing more for several months. He suggested I reach out to the group to see if anyone within a reasonable distance of Rochester, NY may have purchased one from him that I could borrow/rent or purchase if you know longer have a need for it? Or if anyone has alternate ideas I would appreciate it. Thank you to the Tribe and best regards, Darrin

I should have a tool from Dave Rude arriving soon, so I went to the airport today to see how to get access to everything and learn more about the system first hand. The first two pics are looking aft from under then engine to see how much they hang below the belly. The pilot side is the worst. The seat came out pretty easy, no unlacing of the sling required. It appears there are three cords on each post not the anticipated two, which would explain why one seems to be sitting atop the others. I thought I was supposed to purchase 4 (two for each side) 9010HD? I'm looking forward to the Bungee's arriving and the Tool so hopefully I can get this done. With it 12 degrees out today, I was very appreciative that the owner of the airport put N95938 in a heated hangar until I get it sorted out.

Bungee Left Pilot.jpgBungee Right.jpgBungee Front.jpgBungee Rear.jpg

[Nefj40]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

I got a hold of Dave and ordered a tool right after the last group buy on bungees. For the price, there really is no reason why a person shouldn't have one laying around or available on the airport. When I changed mine out I had noticed the safety cables where chafing the old bungees so I took them off and wrapped them with a good 3M silicone tape. Even with that little bit of extra work the whole job might have taken me an hour. No hospital visits or aircraft damage.

[Bruce Caldwell]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

Dave,
I'll take one when you get them made. I'm in no hurry. I hope to have my BC-12D flying by the end of the year. Send me a pm of how much and I'll send you a check.

Thanks,
Bruce
N95893

[Bonanza91K]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

I have one of Dave's that I use every year since I have to cut my bungees off to put on floats and then of course, put new ones on in the fall works great. Fast, safe and easy.

Jim
F21

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

Thanks guys for the support and very kind words.

Dave R.

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

I agree with Rob. Over the last 50 years I've used all sorts of jacks, bars with hooks, etc to change bungees. I bought one of Dave's bungee tools and it turned a two man, somewhat dangerous job into a simple, safe, one man operation. Dave's tool is the way to go!

[Robert Lees]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

No, I am not interested in assisting others whom ever they may be copy it.

But if you want to buy one they will be available in about 10-14 days maybe a few will be available even sooner, perhaps by end of the month.

Dave

In my very humble opinion, if their Mechanic or IA does not have their own bungee tool of Dave's design, then owners should posess their own.

Jon Timlin (aka Capt Jon) had one of Dave's tools when I visited him a few decades ago, and took it home with me, forcing Jon to get yet another one from Dave!

Taylorcraft owners should support each other.

Rob

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

Can you show a photo of the design, I've got one of the old original Taylorcraft units, it works
but it takes two people and you have to be very careful when its loaded up, a wild thing for sure

JS
Alva, OK
N95083

No, I am not interested in assisting others whom ever they may be copy it.

But if you want to buy one they will be available in about 10-14 days maybe a few will be available even sooner, perhaps by end of the month.

Dave

[jstall]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

Dave yours was a better design when something can be made better and safer it's great and that is what you did and the Taylorcraft owners surely thank you.I know I did last time i changed them.

Can you show a photo of the design, I've got one of the old original Taylorcraft units, it works
but it takes two people and you have to be very careful when its loaded up, a wild thing for sure

JS
Alva, OK
N95083

[N96337]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

I've heard of a person using a hay hook when there was no tool to be found.....

[astjp2]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

I just used a bumper jack for years..no let your imaginations roll!

[dkenney1]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

Everyone, I did not intend, nor did I even think my asking the question about the bungee tool would cause any consternation. I was just surprised when I typed Taylorcraft Bungee Tool in Google the Wag Aero was the second item. No disrespect was intended, and if they maliciously copied Dave's design, then I don't want their product. It's probably made in China or something and will blow up in one's face under load.

[cvavon]

Re: Bungee Assistance Please

Dave yours was a better design when something can be made better and safer it's great and that is what you did and the Taylorcraft owners surely thank you.I know I did last time i changed them.