Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I did mean Dillsburg Aeroplane. Too much going on to simply trust memory. Last time I talked with Charlie he told me most of the other airplane supply houses get their 4130 tubing from him. His prices were about half from ACS on the tube for my other project. Dana LaBounty

Hey all, I'm waiting for a quote for the tubing to make gear legs. If the price is right I would be willing to make a batch order for those who might be interested. This would be for the tubing only. I was looking at a cracked gear today and it is VERY evident the design flaw that calls for welding across the tube below the lower mounts. I plan on changing the shape of the lower mounts to avoid this. Regards, Dana LaBounty

Lloyd Toll, early Thorp builder and Master Aircraft Welder, agreed that the weld should have been stopped on the down stroke and not continued across the outer tube. Remember, the outer tube is a stiffener to carry the load across the mount area. The real gear leg is the "floating" inner tube. We still have a gear welding jig here in Lakeland, if it would help with your project.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

I'll second that guys. I made the vertical weld on mine too and stopped at that. I did not go across the bottom. In cases where you have to cross, such as the top end of the tube, make it diagonal as per plans. That's standard practice.

Les Krumel,
Albuquerque

Alrighty now, Got a quote on the tubing for inner gear leg material. 1 1/4 dia. x 5/16 wall is $282 per 10'. I already have the parts to make one gear and have some extra parts plus a bent gear but I may yet order the tubing for myself. I seem to be getting closer to having an entire second airframe worth of parts. If anyone else wants some of this tubing we could make a batch order and have it drop shipped. My thought would be to have it cut to length to make the legs to ease shipping. I will consult my plans first to be sure of dimension and add 3" for extended gear. Regards, Dana LaBounty

I was once told by Ken Brock, gear purveyer, that the longer gear came as a result of cutting the 10' piece in half, rather than trimming it to fit the plans.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Question.

A friend of mine had a minor mishap with his spam-can aircraft - an RV-without an "A". Anyway, it was fortunately minor, but he bent the gear, and he's attempting to straighten it. Given that he can successfully do so, and keep the toe-in/toe-out right, what is the opinion on the necessity of heat treating? I haven't seen it, but understand it's not badly bent.

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Rich Woodcock
N114RW - T18CW

If it does not have stress marks, straightened it cold and go fly it. I straighten Thorp gears all the time. Have been very sucessful

Thank's Bill.

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Rich Woodcock
N114RW - T18CW

Bill,
Would you have a picture of stress marks?

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darylat8750ft

Here you go .... (a rather extreme example)

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I think even I would notice that. ;-)

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darylat8750ft

No, but generally if the paint is not broken there is not stress. Examine the metal for fine cracks crossways of the bend.

*** admin posted for William Williams ***

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Forum Administrator

That picture looks awfully familiar. If it would be of help I seem to have acquired a small collection of over stressed gear legs ( including the one pictured above) that I could post some pictures of.

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Derek Fritschle
N27DW
618-839-1522
OLY

Yeah I probably should have given you proper billing on that Derek ... sorry for that. Bent/Broken gear leg brought to you by Derek Fritschle folks.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD