what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

[Ragwing nut]

Did anything ever become of it? If not I will get a quote from my local spring manufacturer if there is enough interest.

[Nefj40]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

Hey Mike, I don't think anything has ever come of it. There where some posts just yesterday on the Tcraft Facebook page about it.

[M Towsley]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

There was a comment on FB about a wire forming place someone was going to check into. There are people interested in getting some.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

I was the one who was looking at getting a quote. I have since gotten a lead on the tool used to make the wire. I will be visiting him first week of June. If I also get something from the wire company I will share here and on FB. This is one of those things that really needs to happen.

Hank

[Jim Herpst]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

The track record on follow up on items like these is not, well lets just say, so good. I thought someone did mention one could make up some by hand one at a time ...as I recall it was said perhaps doing some each evening in front of the TV.... I suppose it would involve using the Martin wire...straightening where it would not fit and then having a mark on the wire representing dead center and where to make the bend...perhaps someone here could do a pictorial of this process. As stated WE NEED THESE !!

[Ragwing nut]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

The track record on follow up on items like these is not, well lets just say, so good. I thought someone did mention one could make up some by hand one at a time ...as I recall it was said perhaps doing some each evening in front of the TV.... I suppose it would involve using the Martin wire...straightening where it would not fit and then having a mark on the wire representing dead center and where to make the bend...perhaps someone here could do a pictorial of this process. As stated WE NEED THESE !!

That would be a complete waste of time to try and modify martin wire. I have a sample piece, will see what I can do.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

That would be a complete waste of time to try and modify martin wire. I have a sample piece, will see what I can do.

what have you? Some actual TC wire? Are you going to try using some straight wire same OD? I agree it would seem a bit crazy to use the martin wire. I could go back in time on this forum and see who posted such as it seemed like he was making some by hand. (that could be a waste of time in and of itself.... Thank YOU for reporting in and back!

[Ragwing nut]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

what have you? Some actual TC wire? Are you going to try using some straight wire same OD? I agree it would seem a bit crazy to use the martin wire. I could go back in time on this forum and see who posted such as it seemed like he was making some by hand. (that could be a waste of time in and of itself.... Thank YOU for reporting in and back!

yes I have actual tc wire i will take to a local spring mfg and get a quote. don't worry about looking for people until i report back.

[MBednarek]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

I posted the attached drawing on an earlier thread. It is the Aeronca manufacturing drawing of the rib stitch wire that was optional on the Aeronca 7AC. From a comparison of my hanger neighbors role of T-craft wire, it looks nearly identical.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

I was the one who made some wires in front of the TV. You guys know me well enough to know I can waste a HUGE amount of time when my head is deep in the dark hole. You CAN make it by hand but keeping it straight (so all the bends are in the same plane from one clip bend set to the next) is REALLY hard and you end up with a really nasty mess of wire in your lap. I DO NOT suggest anyone else try it! You will get more wire punctures than you can count in you and anything else around you. If you decide to try it, wear goggles! The ends tend to flip around when you are making the bends. It needs to be done on a fixture or machine.

I HAVE some original T wire and have made arrangements to take a look at what I think may be an original wire bender but that won't happen till June. As soon as I can get to my stash of Taylorcraft wire I removed from the 45 I will send a piece to Associated Spring to see what it will cost to have it made. We need to assume we will get SOME way to get wire for now and we therefore need to know how many planes need a full set of wire. I am sure Associated Spring will want to do a batch run which will save us some money if we go in as a group.

Has anyone verified that it actually takes 220' of wire per plane? I had heard it was a little over 200' but have NOT measured. I will if no one else has.

As Jim said, our (mine too) follow-up performance on these projects is NOT really good. My follow up is usually directly related to how much I am bugged or how bad I need the parts. Parts I need tend to get done pretty quick. Others tend to fall off the table and not get picked up till I get the bug again (like the Sissy straps....which are STILL not sewn together or the replica AirBoy radio fronts for glove box doors). Things like the last bungee mass buy and the placards Josh and I made went pretty well. Right now, my priority is on things that will keep my plane flying, and an original fire extinguisher mount or Sissy Straps don't make the cut (but WILL be done one snowy day).

First step, who will buy a wire set if we get it made? I will be building up my 45 wings soon so this one will get done at least by summer (if something doesn't get thrown in the gears to mess it up before then).

Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

I posted the attached drawing on an earlier thread. It is the Aeronca manufacturing drawing of the rib stitch wire that was optional on the Aeronca 7AC. From a comparison of my hanger neighbors role of T-craft wire, it looks nearly identical.

UM, That is a gas tank fitting. ;-)

Hank

[MBednarek]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

My bad!! Here is the correct Aeronca rib wire drawing (2-880).

[Ragwing nut]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

its probably close to 200 ft. have to break out the tape measure to be certain.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

My bad!! Here is the correct Aeronca rib wire drawing (2-880).

Wish we had this kind of drawing of the Taylorcraft wire. I will check it against ours as soon as I have a piece. It would be really nice if the same wire worked for both. It would make a bulk buy that much less expensive.

Hank

[Ray36048]

Re: what ever happened to the rib wires being made?

I did not go back and read every post to this tread.

There is an STC to use screws; SA1-217. It is very old and currently does not have an owner. It would be nice if someone would take official FAA ownership of this STC. There are some 337's around for using pop rivets like the Citabria.