Plugged rudder leading edge?

[mhorowit]

I was doing some measuring of the leading edge (LE) of my rudder and found there is apparently a plug 4" into the tube. There is no corresponding structure on the outside. Anone have an idea what this is? It's messing up a planned internal splice for the lower end of the LE. - MIke

[Robert Lees]

Re: Plugged rudder leading edge?

They were a cork bung in mine (to keep the tubeseal in, I assume.

This photo shows a similar set-up in the horizontal stabiliser.

Rob

[mhorowit]

Re: Plugged rudder leading edge?

The blueprints for the TG-6 and L-2 show a 'cork' at the very end of the leading edge.

Anyone care to comment on my plan to knock the current plug out so I can do an internal sleeve? - Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: Plugged rudder leading edge?

I burnt mine out, then replaced.

I can see no problem with your plan...except a smaller diameter cork will be required.

Rob

[mhorowit]

Re: Plugged rudder leading edge?

I burnt mine out, then replaced.

I can see no problem with your plan...except a smaller diameter cork will be required.

Rob

OK. I'll go take a nap then find a drift/dowel and force the obstruction about 2" higher in the tube (or destroy it); what I have is apparently a metal plug; could be made of sheet metal. - MIke

[Robert Lees]

Re: Plugged rudder leading edge?

If it's metal, then it'll be steel (probably 4130)...is it magnetic?

My tuppence to your pinch of elephant dung it's a 60-year old oxidised cork. Give it a good poke with the ice pick you use for longeron poking.

Or shove an oxy-acetylene flame up there. If it bursts into flames, it's cork impregnated with tubeseal.

Rob

[jdoran]

Re: Plugged rudder leading edge?

Mike,

It's probably a metric cork. Have Rob send you two or three bottles of British wine (is there such a thing?), and use those corks.

John

[Robert Lees]

Re: Plugged rudder leading edge?

Most of our wine comes from abroad. Some of the Eastern Europe wines are great.

I think their corks come in metric...I'll buy a case or three to confirm

[VictorBravo]

Re: Plugged rudder leading edge?

Why would you want to put anything in a steel tube that could absorb moisture and hold it against the metal? Seems like a plastic plug, or rubber, or some kind of silica gel de-humidifier would be best??? Am I missing someting?

[mhorowit]

Re: Plugged rudder leading edge?

Hoping it was a sheet metal plug, I got a long bit and drilled for a while. Must have drilled 1/4" deep and still had not gone thru the plug.

Before I cut an angle the LE of my rudder, I'd better get Forrest on the horn - Mike