88M: here's the rudder

[mhorowit]

Considerable rust at the bottom of the rudder.
I'm open to suggestions on how to repair - Mike

[crispy critter]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

Mike,after you get it cleaned try using a welder and some steel tubing.That should fix anything on it.heehee. It looks like your t/w steering arm has also seen better days.

[VictorBravo]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

Considerable rust at the bottom of the rudder.
I'm open to suggestions on how to repair - Mike

Looks like it's already been repaired once. Or twice.

If it is rusted out, cut off the lower rear curved tubing, the one repaired "rib" and the bottom rusted part of the rudder leading edge tube. Using an internal sleeve and rosette welds, splice a new piece of tubing on to the bottom of the LE tube. Bend up a new curve and do the same, tying it in wwith the old TE tube. Weld it back together, then cut a new lower rib tube and weld that in.

Once this is all done, set up the rudder on a drill press vise and put in the steering arm. Once the steering arm is in the right position, step-drill the holes for the steering arm bolts. You will want to drill the two holes thru the rudder and the steering arm at one time.

this should take you about 2/3 of a day once you are comfortaable with welding. The cutting and fitting is fairly straightforward.

Bill

[Armstrong]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

Considerable rust at the bottom of the rudder.
I'm open to suggestions on how to repair - Mike

Mike ,I dont know if can weld or not, but when I wanted to learn, I bought a small oxyacetelene set up, a book and a couple of practice welding kits from aircraft Spruce. I was able learn how to weld( it just takes practice,practice and more practice... but you will get it.) and to do most of the repairs on my champ with what was in the kits.
Rob

[mhorowit]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

Mike ,I dont know if can weld or not, but when I wanted to learn, I bought a small oxyacetelene set up, a book and a couple of practice welding kits from aircraft Spruce. I was able learn how to weld( it just takes practice,practice and more practice... but you will get it.) and to do most of the repairs on my champ with what was in the kits.
Rob

You know, maybe this is something I can do myself - Mike

[high time cub]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

Mike,
If you plan on investing in your welding education, may I suggest the Smiths Airline Torch AW1A (front mounted valves).
It also comes in a complete kit , regulators, #203 and #205 tips, hose, etc.
Be sure to buy the small AW201 tip (extra). With these 3 tips, you will have good heat control for most thin wall 4130.
Jim

[alwaysoar]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

How much was that setup, Jim?

Ed

[mhorowit]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

Mike,
If you plan on investing in your welding education, may I suggest the Smiths Airline Torch AW1A (front mounted valves).
It also comes in a complete kit , regulators, #203 and #205 tips, hose, etc.
Be sure to buy the small AW201 tip (extra). With these 3 tips, you will have good heat control for most thin wall 4130.
Jim

Jim - thanks for the suggestion, but I already have an OA rig - Mike

[high time cub]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

How much was that setup, Jim?

Ed

Ed,
Bought mine in 1975, can't remember that far back......

Looks like the Wag on line store has the outfit for $337.....make sure it's the "airline torch"...... which they have listed for $96.75 separately.

Shop around on line.

http://store.wagaero.com/index.php?cPath=602_137

Zen.... http://www.airbum.com/articles/ArticleZenWelding.html
Jim

[mhorowit]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

Zen.... http://www.airbum.com/articles/ArticleZenWelding.html
Jim

Funny, when I went to visit the local EAA welding guru he gave me that article - MIke

[akroflyer]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

Wag aero is building new rudders for t-crafts call and ask for Tom Oneille. They dont have the parts in the catalog but they used my rudder for a fixture and have some already built, Keith

[Armstrong]

Re: 88M: here's the rudder

Ed,
Bought mine in 1975, can't remember that far back......

Looks like the Wag on line store has the outfit for $337.....make sure it's the "airline torch"...... which they have listed for $96.75 separately.

Shop around on line.

http://store.wagaero.com/index.php?cPath=602_137

Zen.... http://www.airbum.com/articles/ArticleZenWelding.html
Jim

I have the same setup an it works great. For repairing or welding the real thin sheat ribs I would buy 000 or 00 tips. I mostly use 000-#2, anything that needs more heat than that I TIG weld. Rob