----- Original Message -----
From: "Shaun Simpkins" <shauns@hevanet.com>
Subject: Re: Fuselage Cradle
> Another thought -
>
> You can use Chuck's design, after hanging the fuselage to get the right
> shape. Then you can use some
> coping calipers - they have a level attached to determine that the trace
> point and the duplicating point are in a vertical plane - to transfer the
> outside dimensions of the fuselage to a waiting piece of plywood.
> Problem is, you still have to hang the fuselage, so you have to build 2
> cradles!
>
> Also - if you tip Chuck's cradle 90degrees, the tub will fall out. I
don't
> think he glued it in. You'd have to either glue or bolt the tub to the
> frame to keep it fixed.
>
> Graham's comment implies that there are three phases of cradling. The
first
> is to just get the thing off the ground, the second to receive the cockpit
> module, the third to rig the wings and tail. By the time you get around
to
> the third, you may need to add a tail/fin support and jig to the rest of
the
> cradle. Think thrice, measure twice, cut once. Jig we must.
>
> Shaun Simpkins
> A207
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Shaun Simpkins" <shauns@hevanet.com>
> Cc: <europa@avnet.co.uk>
> Subject: Re: Fuselage Cradle
>
>
> > The cradle has been the subject of a recent thread about bolt hole
> > elongation started by me.
> > If you take a look in the archive, you will find that everyone who has
> their
> > own website has experienced some form of bolt hole elongation. Tony K
had
> > his rear bolts rip out. I've also talked with Bob Berube, who came up
> with
> > the design along with Jim Thursby. The following should be mentioned
RE:
> > this design -
> >
> > 0. The cradle does not inherently straighten things out. You have to
> level
> > the fuselage first. It will hold level, but
> > you will need to set the position of the bondo pads with the top in
> > place to get the right widths at the rear
> > mounts. It doesn't do anything to restrain the tail cone from
> twisting.
> >
> > 1. The fuselage tub must hang to allow the cockpit module to achieve
best
> > fit. This is what the factory cradle does.
> > Chuck's design is very neat and clever, but may not allow the proper
> > shape when fitting that module.
> >
> > 2. The fuselage tub does not have to hang EXCEPT when fitting the
cockpit
> > module. Some form of foam support
> > underneath the tub at firewall, seat back, and rear mount points is
> OK,
> > and desirable, because -
> >
> > 3. The bolt holes WILL elongate if you use 1/4" bolts, which most people
> > seem to have that have had problems.
> > Bob and Jim recommend 3/8", with pads to spread the load made out of
> > bondo. IMHO, the bolt holes will
> > elongate anyway over the course of a typical build - 2 years. Bob
and
> > Jim haven't had problems with elongation,
> > but I wonder if they've ever had a fuselage in a cradle for more
than
> 6
> > months.
> >
> > 4. The rear mount points should carry more load than the front. They'll
> rip
> > out first. It may not be necessary to fit a
> > support at the tail cone, but given the recent comments on tub
twist,
> > perhaps it is a good idea. Makes for a real
> > pain in moving about the build space, though...
> >
> > 5. The front horizontals don't serve a structural purpose other than to
> > stiffen the uprights - remember, the fuselage
> > HANGS - so I just used 45degree braces.
> >
> > 6. Wood is cheap. I just used an 8' long frame and vertical supports
> > instead of angling them. If you place the front
> > supports outboard of, and the rear supports inboard of, the 2x4
frame
> > piece, you'll be within a 1x6 of perfect fit.
> >
> > 7. Drill the holes through the doubled sections of BID. Stronger that
> way.
> >
> > All my opinions except where noted - I'm supporting the fuselage with
> > removable pieces that attach to the uprights and allow the tub to hang
> when
> > the time is right. I'd feel better if Andy Draper would weigh in on the
> > twist issue and the "misplaced" torque tube crosshairs issue, though...
> >
> > Shaun
> > A207
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Rob Waters" <robw@iprolink.co.nz>
> > Cc: <europa@avnet.co.uk>
> > Subject: Re: Fuselage Cradle
> >
> >
> > > Cleve,
> > >
> > > Have a look at the cradle on Chuck Popenoe's page (see link below).
This
> > > is the one that I am using, and I believe that it's much better than
the
> > > design suggested in the manual. With this cradle, one person can
easily
> > > roll the entire fuselage to 60 or 90 degrees for better access to the
> > > underside, plus the general support provided is very good, with no
need
> > > to drill holes in the fuselage.
> > >
> > > http://members.bellatlantic.net/~cpops/cradle.htm
> > >
> > > Rob Waters
> > >
> > > kit 437
> > >
> > > clevelee@cswebmail.com wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Europa's pre-delivery information came with a sketch of a fusulage
> > cradle that is constructed from 2x4's and suspends the fuselage from 4
> > bolts. Does anyone have any experience with this design - and will it
> pull
> > the fuselage into shape?
> > > > Any mods to it that should be considered?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Cleve Lee
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
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