Value of Struts

[lfries]

I have an opportunity to sell my used struts to a Pientenpol
builder. I replaced them when the replacement struts dropped to $2,000
I'm thinking of offering them for 500 - 700 for the set. I would appreciate knowing if I'm in the ball park for value. I'd like it to be a fair deal for both of us.

Thanks

[mulwyk]

Re: Value of Struts

I don't know if it's fair, but I paid $450 last year for a set that had a recent ultrasonic inspection.

But really, if they're airworthy struts, it seems a shame to sell them to a Pietenpol guy who's just going to cut them up. Maybe some deserving Taylorcrafter would like to have them.

[lfries]

Re: Value of Struts

I would probably want more from an outsider than a Taylorcraft owner. The Piet is a father/son project and I am willing to work with them. The father and I just ran into each other at the airport. He was looking for a mechanic to look for parts and I asked what parts. If someone has struts that didn't pass muster in the lower few inches they would be interested in purchasing them.

[MNJoe]

Re: Value of Struts

I sold my struts two years ago without the inspection for $250.00 or $300.00 I can't remember to a guy at the same airport I was based at (I could hear stuff rolling around inside when they were removed!). No freight to deal with and money on the spot. $100.00 a strut is probably more than fair when you consider he doesn't need approved parts.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Value of Struts

If your struts can be sent to WAG and made into sealed serviceable struts for a Taylorcraft is would be a crime to use them for a Piet. I like Piets and they are a GREAT place for struts that can't be used on a certified plane any more and I can show your friend how to insure what he uses is completely safe to use.
Please don't cut the struts for a homebuilt until they have been rejected for their original use.
I have a stack of old T struts that are repaired, kinked or corroded at the bottom end I plan to use for other homebuilt projects. They make great wing struts, interplane struts and landing gear parts. All you have to do it perform a pull test and eliminate all of the damage to safely use the material.
Get them inspected to see if they pass for sealing, then pass them on if they fail for a T and pass for a homebuilt with the bad sections removed. If yours pass, let me know and we can go through my stack and maybe get a usable set for the Piet.
This is why I am always harping on NOT throwing away or cutting up old struts. I WANT the Piet safely flying. We just don't need to wreck good T parts to do it.
Hank

[lfries]

Re: Value of Struts

I don't have a problem holding onto the struts. If you can find a set for a Piet. let me know. I'll let the person know someone is interested in finding him useable struts for the sake of preserving my struts. I won't have them inspected. Locally the shops have teams come in for Jet inspections and they want to charge accordingly. I'm not contemplating any problems as the Taylorcraft has been hangared and I don't fly in the rain. When I do sell it will be with a money back guarantee if they don't pass.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Value of Struts

I don't have my Piet plans handy (what is it about Pietenpols that so many of us Taylorcraft guys love them?). If you can have your friend contact me with the length he needs I will look for some in the stack when the weather breaks (MONSTER snow storm is hitting in the next couple of hours, the barn may be kind of hard to get to for a while).
They can contact me at my home or business email or by phone.
Hank