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

[gromit68]

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

A quick note, new struts received from Northern Airframes. Successful installation, and flying again.

[gromit68]

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

In an effort to get a set of lift struts in a timely manner, I ordered TWO(2) complete sets of lift struts from TWO(2) different manufacturers.

I'd like to hear comments on perceived quality and construction techniques of your newly acquired lift struts.

I'd like to hear what other people have to say, but I think it unwise for me to post my comments in this public forum at this time.

Please feel free to call me direct, if you want a better explanation.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks

Jon

724-986-4726

[Buell Powell]

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

Tim,
I should have noticed that the pictures Tom sent made the edges look rough-they looked better before I had to make them smaller to upload them. I took some better ones but have to e-mail them and save them again so they are small enough to upload and it still makes the lines jagged on the edges-but these are better-seems like most of the jagged edges go away when you click to enlarge them twice?The edges and welding are really actually very nice.If you want I can send you some pictures direct that would be better and let you know if you are interested in how they work out after I install them.

Buell

[Tim Haake]

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

I was looking at the three thumbnails that Buell Powell posted for the Wag-Aero struts in his 02/14/08 post a few pages back. Looking at the first thumbnail the struts shown are from the fuselage attach end. The attach point seems to be really rough looking as if it were cut out from flat stock with a torch and little attention paid to cleaning up the shape. Is this just the resolution from the digital pix are am I correct with what I see with the rough cut finish? Time is money but I think they could look better than that.

Tim

[UNIVAIR]

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

Right now we have filled orders taken through Feb. 27. We are going to have a batch of 50 rears come out of the shop sometime during the first part of next week. I currently have about 45 fronts. As of yesterday I had about 25 orders. Figure 2 fronts and 2 rears per order. I'm going to be just a couple of front struts short from cleaning up all of my strut orders. Unless we get blitzed, we are going to shorten our delivery time by quite a bit. I can't tell you by how much, but it will definately be shorter. With luck, we will hopefully be able to start to deliver from stock again before too many more weeks go by.

Regards,

Mike Sellers
Marketing and Sales Manager
Univair Aircraft

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

New struts arrived from wag-aero, shipped faster than estimated.
They look nice.
Dad is still making jacks and assorted widgets to make the change easier.
We are mulling over whether or not to buy our own borescope to satisfy the sevice bulletin on the strut attach points.
There are units for sale on Ebay, fiber optic, .23" end diam, illuminated, for $169.00US. Another $30 for the kit with the 90degree mirror.

Many A&Ps have borescopes to comply with the Continental cylinder inspection SB maybe the fellow who does your annual can do it and save you some $$.

Dave

[gromit68]

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

New struts arrived from wag-aero, shipped faster than estimated.
They look nice.
Dad is still making jacks and assorted widgets to make the change easier.
We are mulling over whether or not to buy our own borescope to satisfy the sevice bulletin on the strut attach points.
There are units for sale on Ebay, fiber optic, .23" end diam, illuminated, for $169.00US. Another $30 for the kit with the 90degree mirror.

[flyguy]

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

OOPS. Wag Aero front jury strut clamps fit the front strut just fine, but come nowhere near mating up with the jury strut. Maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch too short to be pulled up with the bolt.
DC
Edit: 3/23, Wag is making up some new strut clamps per Tom. May have them ready to send out to all the strut customers by this week. (Latest from middle of last week).

[gromit68]

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

We did finally order struts from Wag-Aero.

I am from Finleyville, but not a pilot.
Dad's BC12D NC33992 is based at Washington County, but currently resides at Waynesburg.

In my odd personal sense of humor, I typed some things here that didn't accurately reflect the actual conversations I had with employees of the FAA.
Of whom, I am certain most are bright, competent people who try to do their best within the confines of a massive bureaucracy. I tried make it clear to everyone I spoke that it was our wish to determine the cause of the delay, and offer to help resolve the problem in any way possible. Most of the people I spoke to said that as an organization, the FAA valued comments and criticism as an opportunity to improve their services.

If it was interpreted otherwise, I sincerely apologize. I feel that this group is a fantastic resource for sharing information specific to Taylorcraft owners.


Thanks

Jon

[hangarb7]

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

Jon,

I see it sez Finleyville, PA but isn't it now Rostraver? Or do I think you are the wrong Jon? If it is the correct Jon, you have probably been buying Piper struts from Alaska, correct?

Jack
N44057

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

interesting...

I assume you are saying that you got them from Wag-Aero, glad that worked out.

I recalled and reread some posts, your's included, I certainly thought that comments, including yours, were derogatory. I have seen much much worse as well.

A good question to ask ourselves is would I like someone talking about me in this way before we type it.



Dave

[gromit68]

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

I did finally get some calls back from the FAA. The MIDO manager stated that he didn't know enough specific details of the approval at Airframes to comment in any way. The inspector that reports to him said that he heard there were derogatory comments made. I said the only thing I said that could be construed as derogatory was that progress was too slow.

I checked Univair, they had a 4 week waiting period. I called Wag-Aero just to be certain. (They had promised to call me when they received their next shipment.) We agreed to buy a set, made arrangements to wire txfer payment in full. They would not accept a deposit, payment had to be made in full. When I called in the afternoon, their accounting dept. said the payment was in process, however, the sales rep. informed me they no longer had any rears available for sale. I -- um, -- protested. Politely.

Our new struts should ship tomorrow or Wed.

I hear they are very pretty.

--Jon

[flyguy]

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

Yes on the clamps, nicely made, chromate primed, with a modified prefix Taylorcraft part number and PMA.
DC

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

That's good news about Wag-Aero Darryl, and good for you too!

I hadn't kept up with Wag-Aero's progress, do they give you the jury strut clamps too?

Dave

[flyguy]

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

Yo dudes, from the time wag said they had received their materials and were going to build some struts until I received my 2 front struts was less than 2 weeks. They actually shipped them within 4 days of starting to fabricate. (UPS didn't pick up until the second day after notified)

Took over a week to get here because the UPS FREIGHT system is really screwed up. Can you believe 2-1/2 days across the US to within two hours of my place and about 5 days for the last 100 miles! They ran them around all over California.

I notice their regular ground package system has changed too. Before I could get stuff from AC Spruce within 36 hours UPS ground. Now they have added at least one additional hub with a 1 day layover. Now takes 3 to 4 days. BIG change. Think it may be to save fuel.

Anyway Wag worked out good for me. Paper looks good, front struts are well made, and the epoxy primer is really tough.
Darryl