Progress Update

[orchardair]

Hatzers,
It has been a little quiet on the forum, so I thought I might give a short update on #136.
I have been grinding away (literally!lots of hours on the grinder) and been fitting tubes.
I have began tack-welding, and as you can see I am now in the beginning of the 3-D stage of the fuselage:

fuse_update.JPG

I must say, it is very gratifying to see the fuselage take place.
Let's see some more pictures of updates, regardless of where you are at your project!

[splischke]

Looks great!

-Scott

[dougm]

Great progress! Always a nice feeling to see larger pieces come together..

Do you have an online builder site or photo gallery that you'd like to share? I could post it on the builders page.

[orchardair]

Thanks Doug and Scott,
I don't have a builder's page.
I am collecting pictures of the progress, and will be happy to share from time to time here.
Amit.

[PoconoJohn]

Ordered a tremendous amount of wood from Wicks 3/5....including spars and also steel sheets for brackets. Just got the call last night they're shipping it, so should have it 5/23 or 5/24. Been pretty much at a standstill. During the wait, practiced cutting/drilling spars on local lumber and playing around with the lathe so I can make some metal parts.

[PoconoJohn]

Just picked up my order from the Con-Way freight yard (since an 18 wheeler can't reach my house). I'm blown away by the packaging of the spars, plywood and some other stuff from Wicks...very well done and super satisfied. Good things are worth waiting for. The folks at Con-Way were helpful too. So, back to making sawdust

[orchardair]

Pictures John!
We want to see pictures!!

[painless]

Fuse looks great!

I'm in the process of getting comfortable welding. Certainly gives me a greater appreciation for a nice weld. So far I've only smelled burning flesh/hair once and the house hasn't burned down yet. Must not be trying hard enough......

[PoconoJohn]

Pictures John!
We want to see pictures!!

Doesn't look like $2K plus, does it? Here's what I ordered:

all birch plywood

4 pcs 1/16" 4X8
1 pc 1/8" 4X8
1 pc 3/16" 4X4
2 pcs 3/32 2X2
1 pc 1/4" 2X2
1 pc 1/4" 4X8

1 spar 5' 3/4" X 4-1/2"
1 spar 5' 3/4" X 5-1/2"
4 spars 11' 3/4" X 4-1/2"
4 spars 11' 3/4" X 5-1/2"
2 spars 11' 1/2" X 4"

1 qt T-88
6 AN5H-20 drilled shank

This steel was in a third package.

3 sheets .090 4130 18" X 18"
1 sheet .090 4130 9" X 18"


All the plywood is sandwiched along that middle wood strip....between the two sheets of cardboard.

Very solid. It's upside down at the moment.

Those ones lifting up are four 1/16" sheets.

I ordered some T-88 and a few bolts; they were in this compartment.

[splischke]

Now begins the magic of turning Spruce into airplane parts. Enjoy the process!