The Poet Creek Express - Foamie Hybrid

[KCStudly]

Thanks for the compliment, RandyG. Yeah, I am very lucky to have such a good friend with all of the capabilities. However, much of what I have done could be done by someone without all of this equipment. Maybe not all of the machining that went into the swivel coupling, but a walk through Tractor Supply revealed plenty of options there, such as trailer spindles and PTO U-joints. It would take longer and not be as easy, but it can all be done with simple tools, I think.

Re: riveted aluminum. I would be leery of the rivets getting loose over time. Jeff P.'s slide in is made of 1x1x1/8 thk aluminum square tubing TEK screwed together with self tapping screws and steel 'L' brackets from the hardware store. Very light weight.

Good luck with your plans, and don't forget, lots of pics.

[GerryS]

Aircraft see just as much vibration as a tear would...I think it's a matter of just getting to distribute the stresses...

[KCStudly]

Good point. Has to be done right, I guess.

[Wolffarmer]

RandyG.......This could get confusing. My middle initial is G

Randy

[pete42]

KC I use to work on airplanes we used driven rivits all the time
since I also flew the planes I have faith in them.
but this is about foam adding aluminum would drive up the cost and weight.

pete

[pete42]

darn how did that happen double post...............

pete

[RandyG]

I really think a riveted frame would work. The B-52 has been flying longer than most of us have been alive! If I plan right and have adequate rivet spacing and edge distance it would be almost as strong as a steel frame. I'll start a tread together!

[RandyG]

RandyG.......This could get confusing. My middle initial is G

Randy

Sorry, just decided to keep it simple instead of the name I use on other stuff, Pariah. RandyG seamed easier and friendlier.

[Wolffarmer]

RandyG.......This could get confusing. My middle initial is G

Randy

Sorry, just decided to keep it simple instead of the name I use on other stuff, Pariah. RandyG seamed easier and friendlier.

It's all good Randy. I didn't like my middle name much when younger so I really do not use it. Then there is Nevadatear. Randy and his wife ( I can't remember her name now and I have met them 4 times ) She has posted several times with something like " Randy says he will be there " and I go " I did?"



Randy

[GerryS]

Just make darned sure you de-burr too. Round holes are strong, tat little nick reduces the strength considerably....

[RandyG]

I put a thread of the trailer idea so we don't get off subject from Kc's build. viewtopic.php?f=35&t=50499

[KCStudly]

Back on topic.

I spent a few hours this evening laying out the hatch rib profile. I put it on the same grid in the same relative position as the wall edge rail. I also laid out a mitered board blank pattern with the hatch rib profile superimposed. I was able to dimension it such that the biscuits (or plates) can be centered on the cut out portion so that the tails of the biscuits don't show. Need to double check that the slots don't break through either. If they do, I can shift the biscuit location so that it only breaks thru on the hatch skin side where it will be hidden.

Now to decide on rib material; poplar (light, readily available, takes finish well), cedar (light and available, not sure about the rest), Maple (strong, looks good, but heavier and harder to work, not sure if I can get "soft maple" in my area), or pine.

[GPW]

Just a suggestion , check out Red grandis ... looks like Mahogany , very reasonably priced, Nice stuff !!!

[KCStudly]

I LOVE THIS FORUM!!!!!

Thank you GPW! Red Grandis. Never heard of it. Did a quick google search; hmm, looks pretty good. Renewable sources, good grain, few knots. Called up my local quality wood working shop (http://www.generalwoodcraftinc.com/). I start asking questions and they put me on to Paul "in the back". Paul chuckles a little and says the proverbial, "well funny you should ask, I've been bringing Red Grandis in for a little while now and I'm really trying to get something going with it, looking for customer feed back".

He's got 1x6's and wider upto 14 ft long, $5.25/BF. Says the color runs very uniform and he would have no problem selling me a little bit at a time.

GPW, you rock! I'm taking a mini set of my plans up there right now (it's only a mile up the street from work).

I'll let you know how it works out.

[GPW]

Pretty wood eh ? I’m currently planning on making a couple guitars out of it .... while it’s still Cheap ... Mahogany here is 12+ USD a Bd ft, and not even the pretty stuff ...