As of today I have been working on my TD for 4 or 5 weeks now. It seems time is flying when having fun! My Father In Law has been a big help with advice and lending a hand. His expertise includes 50 years of cabinet making, and also last year he completed and is flying a wooden homebuilt airplane that he designed from the floor up after 10 years of Work. I have incorporated many of his aircarft techniques. I just wanted to share these comments and welcome any comments or suggestions. Also I will post a couple of airplane pictures in my album.
Considering how the Travelaire I'm currently tearing apart was built, I'm gonna agree with Micro469. That wall might be a tiny bit over-built, but will be around for a LONG time.
I am thinking of using some of those corner braces when I make my new walls too.
The Lumber I used was 2 2x6 ceder boards ripped into 1/8" strips and laminated. I think the studs are either fir or spruce which were 2x6's salvaged from a remodel job my father in law did. He said the old lumber was originally kiln dried SPF lumber and aged 30 years in house rafters. By the way if the beams look like staircase handrails it may be because my father in law has made circular stair cases over the years besides building airplanes.
jplock
PS I think SPF stands for lumber that can be either spruce pine or fir.
The majority of the framing is done now. The process of plywood walls, ceiling , roof will begin. Also wiring and insulation. This has been a real learnig experience with this construction. The walls and roof is very rigid now. It ought to do good on rough roads. I sure hope to have it roadworthy by the end of July for my trip to Brooks Lake Wyoming. It looks like it might just work out that way at this point.
Tonight we got the styrofoam insulation prefitted an numbered for later permanant installation. I hope to have some pictures tomorrow of the ceiling plywood installed on the inside curve.
I have completed cutting all the styrofoam for the roof insulation. It looks like it will be R8 insulation. I have recieved ordered parts this week which includes, Dome lights door latches and handles, hatch hinge, 110 VAC inlet, tail lights, marker lights. weather striping. There is lots of fun ahead!
Also on the lower picture I had to cut kerfs in the styrofoam to make it bendable around the curve.