Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

[N5002M]

Does anybody know who sells the vintage style Taylorcraft decals for the vertical stab? I saw some for sale on Ebay but they shipped from the Phillipines. Surely somebody in the US sells them.

Also...I saw a post but now for the life of me I can't find it of somebody who melted a small hole(with a soldering iron) in the L/H elevator as to lube the trim jack screw. I'd like to see a pic or even measurements would work fine of exactly where that mechanism lives and where to make the access hole. I think it's a great idea and although mine works fine, I have a friend who's trim is stiff as heck and causes the cable to slip on the bellcrank pully. I'd like to help him out and get that thing working smooth again.

Thanks.....

[Taylor Maid]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

Moody Graphics: http://moodyaero.com/moody_catalog.html Old Tcraft logo on the top of the catalog cover.

Jackscrew...since mine had to be fixed, in order to access it my mech put an inspection hole right on the underside of my elevator and jackscrew. Works great to access and lube.

[Pearson]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

I thought the small hole in the horizontal tube just left of the vertical stab was where you lube the jackscrew. If it isn't, what is that hole for?

[Dick Smith]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

These pictures (left and center), from Rob Lee's restoration site:

http://taylorcraft.org.uk/index-old.htm

show the layout of the trim mechanism. The hole allows you to lube the bushing-like section of tubing which carries the unthreaded portion of the jackshaft...the coarse-threaded portion of the jackshaft assembly can be lubed from beneath the left elevator, via a small access cover(at least on my plane). Rob made provision to access the coarse-threaded portion (as well as the bellcrank assembly) via inspection covers.
Once again, Rob's epic restoration site proves invaluable!
Dick

(I found another picture of the trim mechanism (below right)...don't know who to credit the picture to).

[Taylor Maid]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

Pearson, I assume your comment was directed towards me? The hole was to access the jackscrew. My mech had to install a different one.

[Pearson]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

That would be great to have an inspection hole for both the jackscrew and the bellcrank. Unfortunately, my plane doesn't have one for the jackscrew.

I guess a hole burned through the fabric would be better than nothing, but I think the inside of the elevator would get pretty messy if you are spraying lubricant up in there. Without putting anything on the actual threads, I have been oiling the small hole that lubes the bushing. This has been working good for me for the last ten years. But if the threads ever bind up, I will have to cut or burn a hole in the fabric.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

Further to Dick's kind comments, here's the exact location of the trim lube hole.



And I use a gob of grease on a pipe cleaner...for lubing the threaded bit of the trim jack screw through the lower inspection hatch:

[N5002M]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

Thanks for the responses ye ol' tribe members...

I just can't stand the thought of a mechanism with metal to metal contact operating without lubrication...it goes against my instinct as a mechanic.

Great pics...very informative.

I will request a Moody catalog...I like the look of the old Taylorcraft spread wings logo and want to proudly show it off on my V-stab.

Thanks again.....

[jdoran]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

I melted a hole in the fabric and glued a seaplane grommet over the hole (facing aft). It allows me to squirt oil directly on the threads of the jackscrew.The hole is directly under the screw.

My best success was putting 90W oil on a q-tip and having a friend crank the handle to rotate the threaded part of the screw. I did this right thru the seaplane grommet.

Personally, I don't mind having a little oil sloshing around in there-it helps keep corrosion at bay!

[Pearson]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

I like Robert Lee's idea of putting grease on the end of a wire and reaching through whatever hole you can to lube the jackscrew. I will try it soon. Thanks!

[N5002M]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

Yeah...thats the idea I was looking for. I can do fabric work and know I could always whack a hole but I'm all for doing the least amount of trauma to get the job done. I wonder if a little plastic wilkee button would work to plug the hole when not in use. The grommet is a good idea too. I'll get her lubed up and working smmooooootttthhh....

Thanks for responding.....

[Len Petterson]

Re: Decals for Tail Wanted / Also trim mech lube

10 dropps of LIGTH oils every 2 month works well!
Len