Marty's Wag Aero 2+2Builder's Log for HomeBuilt Aircraft
MartyFeehan
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Interests: Ps. 36:7 "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings" This site is aimed at detailing my building the Wag Aero Sportsman 2+2 aircraft, a clone so to speek of the Piper PA-14. This site will be my online builders log available to anyone interested in building this type of aircraft or one of similar design.
Expertise: My background in this area is very broad. I am a recreational pilot, having learned to fly in college some 27 years ago. My flying has taken many starts and stops over the years. Being an Industrial Arts teacher for as many years, I have a wide range of mechanical skills. If I were to categorize any one area as an expertise, that would have to be wood working. This is partially why I selected this design; it has a wood wing.


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Member Since: 10/30/2005
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Thursday, May 07, 2009

Die springs finished! 
  
I won't go into too much dental but I have included some photos.  I have also included the final drawings for the struts.  I had a few changes like ........ well I had the slot on the inner tube going the wrong way (pointed out to me very kindly, thank you) and some minor dimension changes along with the actual length for my 2+2.

Below is the first fit of the struts. I raised up the wheels to get them 90 degrees to the floor to establish the strut length.  1/2" was latter subtracted to allow for load on the gear with the finished aircraft.


Next I cut the struts to the correct length and reinstalled.  I marked the inner hole location using the outer slot for a guide.  Then. driller hole and re assembled.  I then marked the inner slot and to took everything apart and cut the slot with a dremel. 

Next, compress the spring.....



and then put everything together and it all fit!!!



I know this is a bit brief but their are lots of ways to put this together and if you understand the plans than you will be able to build this using ways you are used to doing things.  Below is the correct drawings and  after drilling a few holes int the tail feathers I forgot than it's on to the wings!


  





 




Sunday, March 01, 2009

Die Springs ........ v2.0.   I spent some time over the past week or so making parts for my second set of die springs.  The first set I made are now cut into pieces to remove the springs.  Other than the spring removal issue, I also did not like the bushings as installed.  I will be increasing from a 7/16" tube to a 1/2" to give a thicker cross section.  I don't know if it matters but I feel better about the greater thickness.  Below are some pictures of the parts for the sliding collars.  I finished welding them today and am ready to drill the holes for the bolts.

The tubes are all cut and ready to be cleaned prior to welding.  All sizes are according to my new drawing.















First couple of tubes welded.   The longer tube at the back is to hold everything in alignment for tack welding the washer in place.



 















 




Finished collars ready to drill.


Sunday, February 22, 2009

"Don't be afraid to start over when you have a question or concern about a part; only be afraid if you don't!"

My new mantra!   I finished my die spring shocks last week ......... and cut them up into pieces today.  That's right, I cut them up.  I wasn't convinced it was the best design since the spring was non removable as I built it. 
 
Along with not having the spring removable I didn't like the size of the bushings.  After getting in touch with other builders and pilots who use this type of shock, I redesigned the shock to allow for disassembly.  Tonight after cutting the above finished shock apart, I started building a new set using the redesign below.  Stay tuned!

  







Monday, February 16, 2009

Below is the drawing for the Die Springs I am building.  I am having some problems deciding if this design will work as the spring is not removable as shown  I drew the drawing below  from some other plans posted elsewhere that I simply re drew for clarity.  So, I am looking for a solution that will allow me to remove the spring.   I have tube one finished with the lower washer welded in place but I am thinking I may need to re do it in some manner to make the spring removable.  Any suggestions???

 


Tuesday, January 13, 2009

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The tail is finished!  Well, it has been done since Thanksgiving but I haven't gotten around to updating my log; so her we go.  As you can see, I finished the elevators and have them installed.  The alignment of the two sides came out great and the hinge pins slip right into place.  How long did it take me to scratch build?  Well, I started back in May figuring out how to make the ribs and finished just after Thanksgiving.  There was a lot of tooling to make for the various parts and that did take a bunch of time.  All told I think about 200 hours was spent on everything.  Cost was much lower than any kit options.  I think I spent less than $300 on everything (excluding the jack screw and yoke).  I did make my own link assembly (included in the $300) for a considerable saving but very time consuming.  So, here we go with pictures............

100_6679 Bending the trailing edge, very high tech and it worked just fine.  Second one came out just as good and a match.  This method was shown on one of the EAA tech tip videos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

100_6677 Trailing edge # two.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below, the two matching trailing edges.  Just take your time, go back and forth from the tree to the table and it won't take long at all; about an hour for both.

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Next, fitting the ribs.  I am not showing a lot of pictures here as this is the same as the rudder.  Just remember, you need two that match.

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 Here the spar is shown fit onto the trailing edge.

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Ready for welding welding.......

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Next came the control horns.  After trying to hand bend (hammer and heat) I decided to make a "V" block and use a press to make the 90 degree bend.  My block is a piece of maple cut with a v down the middle and a piece of angle iron glued in place.  I ground the bottom of the angle iron for a deeper v; angle iron is very round at the bottom. The shoe I used is simply a piece of 3/8" mild steel ground with a radius on the edge with the same hand held grinder I use for all my cutting.  The press is from Harbor Freight.  I had the press but needed a new jack; 6 ton for about $20.  The press worked just great and will be very handy for upcoming parts.

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The Press from Harbor Freight

 

 

 

 

 

The "V" block, shoe, and material rough cut for the horns.

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Next, welding the horns in place.  I tack welded them in place and finished them after I checked for fit on the completed stab.

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Next, the hinges.  I again used the hinge jig drawings shown for the rudder. The only difference was I made them out of wood to make them more accurate.  Yes, they burned but I only need them once and they were easy to make.

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Ready to weld .......

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After test fitting and adjusting, the hinges were finish welded and the pins fit in place.

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Here is the finished horn and hinge close up.

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And the finished tail!

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So what's next?  I think the over head trim system for the elevator and then the control sticks.  i am also thinking about finishing the landing gear ......GOT WHEELS!  Stay tuned.  I have taken a couple of months off for the holidays and work stuff but hope to be back at it soon.

And yes, it still fits in the garage!  With the tail removed I can even get my wife's car in so I don't have to scrape the windows.

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