Aluminum Frame RD

[RandyG]

I have been thinking about putting more fasteners into it, but not nut and bolts. I was considering Jo-bolts, just as strong and easier in tight joints. I really don't want to weld, welding weakens aluminum. Not really worried about cracking, I'm using 5052-H34, almost as malleable as steel. I can bend .063" with the grain 135 degrees with a tight radius. Right now I'm drafting up a plan on Sketch-up. It's an easy free program, but I'm not sure if the program is limited or if it's my abilities using it.
As for the DC-3, love that plane!

[Junkboy999]

Hey Randy

To answer your question, I was a Communication / Navigation system technician. Radio Radar repairman
really. I worked on EC-135, RC-135, and tankers for 7 year in England. Next C-5 and C-141 for 7 years in
California, Three years in Germany doing In-route ( loved Germany ), finally last 3 year I was an expeditor
just driving around kicking Airman out of the truck to work and running to bench stock look for “ I need two
more screws like this “ job. You know the drill. Dead end job of an Expeditor, just driving around waiting
for retirement. Never got to work on any Buffs but the one at Duxford RAF Museum in England. I just helped
touch up chipped paint on all the cockpit panels for a mini refurb.

Oh I sure Randy know but for the rest of the guys. The plane the crashed in the video is a C-130.

One question. What are you planing for the tongue and coupling, and to the frame.

[RandyG]

Sounds like you had a good career of it Junkyboy, until expediting, I would hate that job.
I plan on using a piece of square alum tubing for the tongue held in place by some beef-up plates and jo-bolts since I don't have access to the inside unless I use nutplates or run a bolt all the way through. The beef-ups will bend into the A-frame of the tongue.
I got a quote from an axle shop today for a 2000lb dexter for $365 but after comparing that online, it's pretty steep. Where did ya'll (yes that's the Texan comin' out) get your axle's and for how much? I have found some online for around $200 but they are all the wrong length. I am considering cutting and welding a torsion to my specific needs. Or (I dread this idea) getting some of the half axles, would be a pain to align them though. Someone please talk me out of the half axle idea!

[RandyG]

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=af21a0faefb5ea91c7ee112255f92560&prevstart=0
Here is my plan on sketch-up, not complete but just an idea of my plans.

[RandyG]

Northern tool has the torsion axle I need on back order. I was going to order it tonight till I so that. Hope I can find one else where.
Spent the whole day reorganizing the garage, put the old washer-dryer in the back, moved the 135 gallon fish tank back there also, and tried to fix my daughter's bike without prevail. Going to get a friend to help me get most of the wood I need from Lowes this week. I need that to progress any more right now.

[RandyG]

Torsion axle delivered!

[aggie79]

Sweet! Hopefully more build pictures soon.

[RandyG]

Well, right now I changed courses to get a bed made for my lil' girl. Almost done with it just need to paint it. Very proud of myself for making the whole bed without any metal fasteners, all mortise and tenon!

[RandyG]

I'm still alive! Just not on course with the build right now. I decided to get my garage build ready, when I was building before it was a pain cause my workspace was an old table and there was no organization to the madness. So I built a work bench, a beautiful router table and some saw horses, and that's just what I've built this month for the garage. I was also waiting for the very generous gift cards we were promised from Lowes, when you spend alot of money on appliances they give you gift cards, that will help with my building material for a good while. Pics of my new work pieces coming soon.

[RandyG]

3 day weekend! I'm making some progress, no matter what.

[Junkboy999]

Woot! gotta love those Long weekends. I got all the time in the world to work on my new camper
( not employed again ), but no money now. Damn if i do or don’t Ha haha

So any clue on the weight of the frame before the alex? Lest see some shp Pics as well.

[RandyG]

Well I got one panel temp installed and it really shows how well stress panel construction works. It made the frame much stiffer. As for the weight, I'll try to put it on the scale tonight with both panels on. My guess is less then 60 lbs.
I also have to rethink my axle mounting, after looking at my previous plan the trailer would be way too high so I will mount it on the inside of the frame. That will drop it 3.5 inches. Pics coming soon.

[RandyG]

Got one panel mostly shot on, about 100 rivets with 50 more to go. Also with both panels my weight is 61 lbs. a little more than what I had hoped for but still good. The frame part is so time consuming! Im ready to make some dust fly. Hopefully in a couple of weeks.
I need some advise on wheels. Since my axle isnt wide enough Im mounting it on the inside of my frame, making the arms of the torsion axle even with the outside of the frame. Is this a problem? will I need a special hub or wheel? Im not sure this will work or not. Its kinda a major thing so I need to figure it out before moving forward.

[KCStudly]

Pics please, or a sketch at least.

[RandyG]

i tried to show some pics but its difficult to share them from my phone. check my album, hope they are in there.