Old Rusty Bits for New Shiny Parts
As promised...more updates.
As I continue to unpack I make fresh and exciting discoveries on a continuing basis. Along with the tooling that makes the seat bows, I think (and hope) I have discovered tooling that presses the upper and lower channels for the engine pylons. The upper channel was considerably worrisome as it is not easily reproduced without proper tooling and I really didn't want to reinvent the wheel so to speak and develop new tooling, even though I am in several different areas (like the wheels). Dale's design for these parts was at once elegant and simplistic, always a hallmark for lightweight strong structures. Making a proper press fixture for this part is expensive. The lower channel is relatively easy to make with a hammer and form had we needed. But we have the tooling, it needs some TLC to be sure but at first take appears to be serviceable.
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We also found some other punches and tooling and are sorting those out as well.
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Progress is being made, slowly but surely. I have to remind myself the hare won the race.
More next time,
Gene
Fltofancy@gmail.com