Comment

Comment by David J. Beaulieu on December 19, 2014 at 12:58pm

Mark,

The tab idea is a good one IMHO!  If I were scratch building I would allow for the tabs somehow.  Heck, if i ever crack a windshield I will probably just go ahead and add the tabs. I do not think the minimal spot weld or tacking of a tab would have any detrimental effect on the material strength of the frame.  For now, I will see how much trouble the screws really are as the design calls for.

Comment by Mark Maltais on December 18, 2014 at 8:57pm

I still have clecoes in mine as well.  I do NOT like the self taping screws.  My top window is installed with those and what a nightmare that was to do.  The steel is too hard for this and I went through 4 or 5 screws for each hole before it "threaded" in.  I'm thinking of threading the tube with a tap and using regular AN screws on it but I'm not sure how well that will hold in the long run... I'm thinking it would be fine since the self taps are crap anyways, it sure can't be worse!!!  It would be nice if tabs or a lip was welded to the tube to create an attaching point for the windshield, but I guess that would affect the steel and then it would have to be heat treated to get it's strength back... :(  Oh well, the joys of homebuilding! :D

Comment by David J. Beaulieu on December 18, 2014 at 8:49pm

Trying to choose style/type of fasteners to put into the cabin frame..  Caleb is not encouraging rivnuts on any of the cabin frame, which was my initial preference for the spar carry thru. Yet after reading about some issues with the Truss head self tapping screws, I'm not so sure I'll go that route either.  If I do I will drill midsize between a #30 and #40, and maybe tap with coarse thread 6-32...need to practice a few hole on scrap.  Another semi-dilemma for the average first time builder I guess?

Comment by Mark Maltais on December 18, 2014 at 5:53pm

Good job!!! I knew I did the happy dance when that part was done!  But I won't do the encore until it's bolted on for the last time! :)