Thorp Air Command - T18.net

There you go, using my name in vain

My seats (frames) came with the project and I suspect they were from Ken Knowles or Phil Tucker ? They are very light and fit well...except that the top of the seat does not rest against the top of the baggage compt. Rather than redo the seats I put a "stop" against the baggage compartment frame. The seat/s rest against the stop. I put a 0.50 doubler so the seats rest against the stop.

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Put File Caption Herelike the seats as they afford room to reach between the seats and I put "storage" compartments/bins behind the seats to put maps and other gear. Maximize your space !

Not at all Bill, you'd surprised how many times I've said "better put some Williams to this" lately! Otherwise I'd be looking at a complete do-over in the garage. You've saved my a$$ a few hundred times over.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Bill, can I borrow your tube bender and sheet stretcher?

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In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.

Now now Dick!

Surely you don't need a tubing bender to get 10 or so deg out of it. Worst case drill out the last few (10 or so) rivets on both sides, tweak the seat and then reset the rivets. The last few rivets will end up with some oblong holes, if that doesn't pass muster put some -5 s in there.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

The tube bender came from Harbor Freight=cheap and effective. As to the sheet metal -- there's more at the store!

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Thanks, guys... I don't know what I'd do without you.

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In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not.

"and don't call me Surely !" [:o)]

RB

On to upholstery - I'm way too cheap for leather, but if anyone has some strong feelings one way or the other regarding vinyl faux leather, wool, or anything else ... I'd love to hear suggestions.

I'm leaning towards wool.

If you look at my seats, I went with a heavy duty cloth material used on truck seats. "Cool" even in the hot San Diego sun ! I also had the seat guy use extra firm foam for the seats. I would stay away from anything that would "weld" your body to the seat after heating !

RB

I'd probably go cloth - Rich's seats looked comfy enough for an overnighter - stay away from wool......if you fly it out west, there are some who get angry seeing remnants of loved ones as upholstry.

See this website: www.gulffabrics.com/ I used the Ultraleather with a commercial grade cloth insert. Works well in the sunny south and makes it easier to get in and out with the faux lether on the seat edges.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Stay away from wool ? This coming from a guy that wears a wool skirt to bed and a haggis attached to the jewels...Hoot Mon, Hoot Mon ! ! My seats keep the "butter buns" cool and dry ! They do have heavy grade vinyl on the side panels and the backside of the seats.

RB

10 degrees ? Like Lee said clamp it to the bench and start bending. I would also try using a bottle jack with a 2 x 4 while the thing is clamped down ? 10 degrees ain't much. Bend with care.

RB

I spent a little time talking to these folks at Sun N Fun. The owners (Jim and Janice Fix) had owned a Thorp in the past. They had a nice display booth and the foam product looked very comfortable. Here's the contact info and web site.

Hi-Tech Foams
3710 Airpark Road
Lincoln, NE 68524
402-470-2346

www.seatfoam.com

I'll be ordering from them for the second project. Estimate on foam was 100.00 per seat.

Blue Skies,

Terry