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

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

Left O/B flaperon skeleton for Cruzer

Started Mar 22, 2021 0 Replies

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…Continue

 

Brian Thomas's Page

Latest Activity

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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