Brian Thomas
  • Angola, IN
  • United States
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Brian Thomas's Discussions

PAR 36 landing light mount

Started 10 hours ago 0 Replies

All-Any good experience / tips / photos for fabricating an internal mount for a PAR 36 landing light and taxi light?I saw on an RV forum that suggested the outer bay, where bending stresses in the…Continue

Retracting Tie-Down Ring?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Frank Stutzman Oct 5, 2023. 4 Replies

All-I remember several years ago seeing a home-builder's design for a retracting tie-down ring. It slips up inside the wing for less drag.Of course, when I'm ready to build the ring, I can't find it.…Continue

Forming ribs - avoiding the banana seat?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Brian Thomas Jan 14, 2023. 2 Replies

Started building my wing ribs, have a question.My ribs want to come out with a little bit of a "banana seat" bend in them. I can correct this at the relief flanges, but is there a good technique to…Continue

Solid rivets

Started this discussion. Last reply by Daniel Niendorff Apr 15, 2021. 2 Replies

A question about solid rivets.The Cruzer wings call out AN-470-AD-5-6, -5-7, -5-9, and -5-11 solid rivets for the wing structure.In looking at Aircraft Spruce, they have -5-10's and '5-12's, but no…Continue

 

Brian Thomas's Page

Latest Activity

Brian Thomas posted a discussion

PAR 36 landing light mount

All-Any good experience / tips / photos for fabricating an internal mount for a PAR 36 landing light and taxi light?I saw on an RV forum that suggested the outer bay, where bending stresses in the skin are at their lowest.I've seen various explanations on how to form the lens cover.What I'm really looking for is good mechanical design tips for mounting. Do I use the rubber rings that come with the light?Thanks. See More
10 hours ago
Brian Thomas posted a discussion

Retracting Tie-Down Ring?

All-I remember several years ago seeing a home-builder's design for a retracting tie-down ring. It slips up inside the wing for less drag.Of course, when I'm ready to build the ring, I can't find it. I don't know if it was on this site or another. My searches have come up blank.Any leads?Thanks.-BrianSee More
Sep 26, 2023
Brian Thomas posted a discussion

Forming ribs - avoiding the banana seat?

Started building my wing ribs, have a question.My ribs want to come out with a little bit of a "banana seat" bend in them. I can correct this at the relief flanges, but is there a good technique to straighten the rib between?Thx.See More
Nov 29, 2022
Brian Thomas posted a discussion

Solid rivets

A question about solid rivets.The Cruzer wings call out AN-470-AD-5-6, -5-7, -5-9, and -5-11 solid rivets for the wing structure.In looking at Aircraft Spruce, they have -5-10's and '5-12's, but no -5-11's. Wicks also skips this size.Can anyone offer advice on either (a) finding the -5-11's, or (b) a good method for removing 1/16" from a -5-12 to make if a -5-11.Thanks!See More
Apr 15, 2021
Brian Thomas posted a discussion

Left O/B flaperon skeleton for Cruzer

For sale - left O/B flaperon skeleton for a Zenith Cruzer. Built from plans, edges deburred, #40 holes drilled in front face of spar. Sale includes nose ribs, rear ribs, spar, doublers, mounting brackets. Clecos and root rib not included.Have two lefts, only need one.Any reasonable offer + shipping will be accepted. Or, trade for a right O/B flaperon skeleton.See More
Mar 22, 2021
Carl Orton left a comment for Brian Thomas
"Dad gum spellcheck. Deburr"
Jul 27, 2020
Carl Orton left a comment for Brian Thomas
"Hi Brian; the demurred tool has not sold yet.  Carl"
Jul 27, 2020
Brian Thomas posted a discussion

Name that tool?

I used this tool at the Zenith rudder workshop; haven't been able to find it on Aircraft Spruce.Can someone tell me what it is, where I might find one?Thanks!See More
Jul 1, 2020
Brian Thomas posted a photo

200328-01 table assembled

Spring is here! Cleaned out the muck from the garage, got the table put back together. Two upgrades this year - legs inspired by the EAA 1000 table, and adjustable feet to get everything level.
Mar 30, 2020
Larry Zepp left a comment for Brian Thomas
"Hi Brian, For fittings, I machined a .25" R on my Harbor Freight brake and used this on all jobs not included in my partial kits. All bends formed in 6061-T6 material without cracks. 3/16" R is getting tight for T6 material that is not…"
Nov 24, 2019
Brian Thomas posted a discussion

3/16 bend radius?

The good news is that I now have access to *two* brand-new CNC-controlled bending brakes, and have the training to use them.The bad news is that the smallest bend radius in the tooling set is 3/16" (4.8 mm).Since I am building from plans, can I substitute this bend radius? Are there any parts in the Cruzer that will suffer from fit and/or performance?Thanks all.See More
Nov 19, 2019
Brian Thomas posted a photo

CH 750 Cruzer horizontal tail

Tail closed up! Also got the garage cleared out so I can park inside through the winter.
Oct 13, 2019

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
CH 750 Cruzer
Project Status
Less than half
Building From
Plans-only
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Continental O-200
Building Experience
No Experience
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
KANQ

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Comment Wall (7 comments)

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At 7:44pm on July 27, 2020, Carl Orton said…

Dad gum spellcheck. Deburr

At 7:43pm on July 27, 2020, Carl Orton said…

Hi Brian;

the demurred tool has not sold yet. 

Carl

At 8:31pm on November 24, 2019, Larry Zepp said…

Hi Brian, For fittings, I machined a .25" R on my Harbor Freight brake and used this on all jobs not included in my partial kits. All bends formed in 6061-T6 material without cracks. 3/16" R is getting tight for T6 material that is not really thin. Check the minimum bend radius for the size that are are bending.

Best Regards,

Larry Zepp

At 9:29pm on March 20, 2018, David Delegard said…

I will do that. hopefully flying is going to happen real soon!

At 10:05pm on March 14, 2018, David Delegard said…

let me know as soon as you get the shipping cost - ground, ironically. and i will get the payment headed to you.

At 7:32am on March 14, 2018, David Delegard said…

David Delegard

6481 35th St

Colfax, WI 54730        and thanks!

At 9:52pm on July 13, 2016, Normand Lambert said…

Hi Brian,

I got a King Industrial shear (model BB-F5216). 52 inches cut up to 16 gage steel.

The Box and Brake (hand brake) is made by Empire Machinery & Tools. Bend lenghts up to 8 feet.

They both were bought used but in really great shape. The shear weighs 1500 lbs and the brake is 2200lbs or more.

Regards,

Norm

 
 
 

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