Tail spring mounting

[Bryan Cotton]

Man, you guys are making me feel like I have done something, even beyond my recent 11.5 hours of deburring and messing with root ribs.

[Spaceman]

Guys,

I'm getting ready to build my aft fuselage, but before I install the tail post I think I'll drill the tailwheel spring to the steel bracket while everything is accessible.

Are there any tricks to clamping the rod in the bracket so it won't move, and also ensuring I drill nice and perpendicular/centered through both parts?

[kevinh]

Guys,

I'm getting ready to build my aft fuselage, but before I install the tail post I think I'll drill the tailwheel spring to the steel bracket while everything is accessible.

Are there any tricks to clamping the rod in the bracket so it won't move, and also ensuring I drill nice and perpendicular/centered through both parts?

That's what I did and it seemed to work good. I drilled the tailwheel to the spring then I just used some scrap wood and clamps to jig the tailwheel/spring assembly to the metal weldment with the wheel straight and level.

[Bryan Cotton]

I would drill one hole in the steel first. Then I would transfer that hole a little bit into the ti. Pull the rod out and drill that hole all the way through the ti using a V block and drill press. Then put the rod back in and transfer the hole all the way through. If you can get clever and get the rod and steel part clamped up in the press that is good too.

Do NOT pilot drill with a #30 or god forbid a #40. Start with at least a 3/16" or so bit. Those little drills tend to stick and then break off in the ti.

I drilled all my landing gear rods, both main and tail, in the V block.

[kevinh]

oh yeah - I did the same as what Bryan described. Works good and easy.

[Spaceman]

I got my tail spring drilled last night! Here's a bunch of pictures of how I did it:

https://paegelow.blogspot.com/2017/09/tailwheel-spring-rod-2.html

Bryan I immediately forgot what you said and used a 1/8" bit for the pilot holes. Luckily nothing got stuck, it just took a while!

[Rick524]

Just wanted to say, you are doing a nice job and I enjoy your blog. I'm looking
forward to seeing how the flaps connect to the actuator. Maybe its a mod I
could do to my A Sonex.

Rick
Sonex 524

[Spaceman]

Thanks! I'm interested to see how the flaps end up too, obviously they're different from the stock legacy setup. It actually looks pretty simple in the plans; I'll take a picture of it later.