Hatz Biplane Association

And if you buy 6, they're only 11 bucks each!

To The Group,

I contacted a member of my EAA chapter who owns a production machine shop. He has agreed to produce a dozen sets of six fork terminals using the measurements given in the Hatz Classic plans. He will be using a 400 series stainless steel which is comparable to the 6S80 used by Bruton's. I do not have pricing information other than he believes he can do better than the Swiss imports. We live in snow country in the real upstate New York and he will be quite busy with snowplow sales through the first part of 2011. I expect he will do the production run sometime in the first quarter of 2011. I am in charge of marketing so if you are interested, I will start a list of builders who would like to reserve a set. I reserved one set so there will be 11 more available. That's a lot of Hatzs! Send your name and address to (jebenspe at twcny.rr.com) with "Fork Terminals" in the subject line to reserve a set.

I decided not to use the Midwest forks as it strays too far from the plans specification. I called Midwest to see about changing the depth of the slot. They responded positively if I were to order several thousand pieces as these are imports. So I am going with plan B. I don't need them right away so why not wait.

Count me in. email on the way.

Definitely interested. Would like to know the price, though.

Nick

Try secosouth.com or haynlines.com fo ss adjustable forks

Michael
N838MM

I checked secosouth and haynlines to no avail. i also started going through Thomas Net trying to locate manufacturers of stainless turnbuckles. No luck there either. Perhaps another set of eyes can turn something up. Has anyone asked Makelan directly "Where did you get the fork ends shown in the plans?" I read they aren't too good at answering emails.

Currently 5 sets of fork ends have been spoken for. My friend Frank at the machine shop is communicating with his supplier and working on pricing. The plan is to make 12 sets. So 7 are still available for reservation.

I contacted Jeff @ makelan about the forks. Here is his reply:

Hello Doug,

When I started doing the kits the rod ends could be found at the hardware vendors at every flyin that I went to. As my luck goes, I have not seen them lately, which leaves us with a couple of options. For one option I have had some of the fittings made. I do have 2 sets being made right now, and I will get you a current price for a set. The second option would be to use a combination of fittings as is called for on the original CB-1 plans. This would include using an AN490 threaded rod end and an AN665 threaded clevis tie rod terminal. I am sure that the combination of AN fittings is fine, but I like the way the way the other fittings work better.

Regards

Jeff

These ends came from SECO South.

michael
N838MM

Doug,

Thanks for contacting Jeff. I have a similar situation regarding the wheel type pinking shears shown in the Stewart Systems videos. Trying to find a pair like those used is not going well. I'm not sure they are made anymore. I did find one pair of antique wheel type and decided to look around some more. In fact I think the ones I saw were already tagged as sold.

My main concern with the Midwest product is not knowing the mechanical properties of the material and what kinds of loads the parts are subjected to on the Hatz Classic.

Can you provide a part number from SECO south for those who wish to go in that direction?

I agree re: Midwest products. I would be reluctant to use them since we don't know enough about their product to determine if it is applicable to aviation use.

As for SECO South, sorry, but I do not have a part number.