A list of lift strut suppliers (updated 12 Dec 2007)

[Winston L.]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Why don't you add the A model to list?

[UNIVAIR]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Why don't you add the A model to list?

Oh you guys! OK, I guess we’ll cover you too. But seriously folks …

We are going to cover everything on Type Certificates A-643, A-696, A-699, A-700 and 1A9. Here is the official list of what we are going to request additional model applicability on:

A

BS, BCS, BC-65, BCS-65, BC12-65 (Army L-2H), BCS12-65, BC12D-85, BCS12D-85, BC12D-4-85, BCS12D-4-85

BF (Army L-2G), BFS, BF-60, BFS-60, BF-65, BFS-65, BF12-65 (Army L-2K), BFS12-65,

BL, BLS, BL-65 (Army L-2F), BLS-65, BL12-65 (Army L-2J), BLS12-65,

19, F19, F21, F21A, F21B, F22, F22A, F22B, F22C

Have I missed anybody?

Before the end of the year we hope to have all this cranked through the FAA.

Happy Flying

Mike Sellers
Marketing and Sales Manager
Univair Aircraft

[Sargent]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

I called Airframes, Inc. and they are over nighting two twelve inch stock of 4130 .050. My mechanic recomended not using mild carbon steel.

[Guest]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

If they are normally using 4130 for the straps then I suppose it makes sense to do the same.

I have modifed a number of them to fit newer streamline tube shapes and the ones where I had to add material to make the shape fit and I added 4130 have been very stiff.

Also forming 4130 around the trailing edge maybe more difficult because of the small bend radius required, watch for cracking.

Dave

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I received my new struts today from Airframes, Inc. They came nicely boxed in a custom made plywood packing crate. They arrived in 10 days to Iowa just as Lee said they would. I had been #4 on the waiting list so I got a set from the first 20 they shipped.

I'm real happy with their service and product.

Carl Carson

[robbie]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Carl
How much larger are they, and could you put up a picture of them.
Thanks.

[Robert Lees]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Good question. Can someone measure the major & minor diameters, please?

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I'll get some pix and comparisons next week to post.

Carl Carson

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I addition to what Robert asked for: Can anyone who has information on replacement struts list the specifications here so we might compare them?
That is:
Wall thickness
Material used
do they bolt right in
adjusters with the rear struts?
ANYTHING else--information is good.

OR-is this info available, and where?

Not to be critical, but "I'm happy with my new struts and they are well made" isn't much help to those of us who still have to decide on which ones to buy.
Darryl

Carl--I'm not referring to your post--I know you are working on it.
DC

[Guest]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

I addition to what Robert asked for: Can anyone who has information on replacement struts list the specifications here so we might compare them?
That is:
Wall thickness
Material used
do they bolt right in
adjusters with the rear struts?
ANYTHING else--information is good.

OR-is this info available, and where?

Not to be critical, but "I'm happy with my new struts and they are well made" isn't much help to those of us who still have to decide on which ones to buy.
Darryl

Carl--I'm not referring to your post--I know you are working on it.
DC

This info is scattered across the forum.

Do some searches.

Look for posts by UNIVAIR, look for the phrase "Alaska Airframes".

I think all suppliers sell the rear struts with the adjusters.

Much of the other data you are looking for is in the various posts. Also look on the Taylorcraft site.

Dave

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Ok, I'll dredge it up and dump it in one spot. It's going to be a slow Saturday here anyway--too much Friday night, LOL.
DC
PS not sure about the Tcraft site--wouldn't buy from them if they were making struts of gold-plated Titanium.

[flyguy]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Just searched for Univair and got 11 pages, so much for that approach. Think I have read everything here anyway, and have only seen one specific bit--that the wall thickness was .035. (Edit: believe this was for Airframes struts--will check again)
Oh, also a ref that one was using mild and the factory was using 4130.

Have to try another approach I guess.

OK found it (or rather one of them,) directly from UNIVAIR here:
Our Taylorcraft front struts are approved and manufactured with .049” wall fronts and .035” rear struts of the proper original style streamlined cross section.
Again, our front and rear Taylorcraft are made from an original Taylorcraft streamlined tube cross section that Univair had to make tooling specifically for. We are not using an alternate cross section.

Airframes per Gary Snell:
The rear strut is made of normalized 4130 but the front strut is .035" 1010 mild steel, same that they use on the cubs.


More info on the specifications can be added to this thread. Rob

[hoosier]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Would the cost from univair be each or a pair? and if the inspection cost, was- say 300.00 every 2 years, then would it not be 12 years before you reached the replacement cost of 1800.00

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: A list of lift strut suppliers (updated Oct 2007)

Regarding buying struts v inspecting struts. If you're using the logic above, in 12 years figure double everything. Double $ for the inspection and double $$ for the replacement. Meaning, if you can afford it now -- replace it now. You'll thank your future-self when each inspection is $600. and replacement is $4,000. and you haven't wasted 12 years of ever increasing inspection cost. It's basically the same argument for renting a house now and buying a house later. Right now -- buy. When prices are down.
Chances are the price of struts will never go down any further. As they make fewer and sell fewer struts in the near future... then the per unit price will likely increase... or... perhaps struts will become an orphaned item again. This tends to happen from time to time as the factory appears and disappears.
Think of these struts as an irreplacable trophy. You'll not get too many more chances to own, what you already want, so get it done while you can.
With regards; ED OBRIEN

[robbie]

Wag-Aero Struts

I spoke with Wag-Aero today and their paper work is finished up here in Wisconsin. They have forward it to Texas for approval that meets the AD requirements for el imitation the repeat inspection for struts.
I asked about cost and it was stated around $450.00 per struts. I asked what material they were going to be made from, "4130" and the same size as their struts for the J-3 cub.
Good enough for a Cub good enough for my T-craft.
Harry: 4130 struts, $450. per struts.