Microlighters

Can anyone experienced in putting a tubular fuselage together, give insight on safe alternatives to chrome moly tubing? The designer of the a/c I'm soon to start building, indicated that 1020 steel tubing is the closest in terms of strength, with the lowest increased weight penalties. I've Googled for the availability of 1020 in S.A. without success. It appears that 1020 is used quite extensively in Europe for Microlights. If you know of a 1020 supplier or any suitable alternative available locally, kindly tell what material it is and where it can be sourced from.

Wingless Nut wrote:Can anyone experienced in putting a tubular fuselage together, give insight on safe alternatives to chrome moly tubing? The designer of the a/c I'm soon to start building, indicated that 1020 steel tubing is the closest in terms of strength, with the lowest increased weight penalties. I've Googled for the availability of 1020 in S.A. without success. It appears that 1020 is used quite extensively in Europe for Microlights. If you know of a 1020 supplier or any suitable alternative available locally, kindly tell what material it is and where it can be sourced from.

Hi,

I had a look at a Pietenpol last weekend that was build with 1025 so maybe it is worth investigating that ? Should be easy to find locally.

Good luck with the project !
Rudi

Thanks Rudix, I'll certainly look into it. Two questions though; Is that your Shadow and are you looking for a Piet?. I know of one (GN-1 Aircamper) that's about 90% complete. Wings need covering and is fitted with a 1600 crossflow engine. I presume it's A "Ford-a-la-Cortina-Escort-no thanks" job. It shouldn't be a problem as the total asking price is R29,000. The wings and landing gear are "Cub-type" according to the ad. I would have gone for it, but don't have space to store or work on a one-piece wing (29').

Give Monty at the Bush Baby factory a call or talk to Boet Laubscher.

Wingless Nut wrote:Thanks Rudix, I'll certainly look into it. Two questions though; Is that your Shadow and are you looking for a Piet?. I know of one (GN-1 Aircamper) that's about 90% complete. Wings need covering and is fitted with a 1600 crossflow engine. I presume it's A "Ford-a-la-Cortina-Escort-no thanks" job. It shouldn't be a problem as the total asking price is R29,000. The wings and landing gear are "Cub-type" according to the ad. I would have gone for it, but don't have space to store or work on a one-piece wing (29').

Hi, yes, the Piet I saw looked great with the 1025 fuz.

Yes, that is my Shadow, it is a wide body Streak Shadow with a Jabiru 2200A engine.

I would love a Piet ! Sounds like a great deal and just the project that I am looking for, more a "finish" job than a scratch build job. Can you please PM/e-mail me the details ?

Thanks,
Regards,
Rudi

Rudix you've got mail. Morph, Thanks, but I have located a supplier in Stikland that can supply all and any non-chromemoly tubing I require. The can do chromemoly as well, but like verybody else will have to import at considerable cost. The "Bossman" it seems, is a metallurgist and knows compositions, weights and strength characteristics of various types/grades of tubing, off by heart. Again, I have had one of those rare moments where I could for a fleeting moment, feel proud to be a Souf Efriken. Life is sweet and I feel better than James Brown.

Jy moet miskien daai ou se naam hier neer sit. Ek dink ander ouens sit met dieselfde materiaal probleme.

Wingless Nut wrote:Rudix you've got mail. Morph, Thanks, but I have located a supplier in Stikland that can supply all and any non-chromemoly tubing I require. The can do chromemoly as well, but like verybody else will have to import at considerable cost. The "Bossman" it seems, is a metallurgist and knows compositions, weights and strength characteristics of various types/grades of tubing, off by heart. Again, I have had one of those rare moments where I could for a fleeting moment, feel proud to be a Souf Efriken. Life is sweet and I feel better than James Brown.

Hi Wingless,

Just some feedback, looks like my hanger will be graced by a Piet afterall ! Managed to strike a deal on one here in Gauteng.

Happy building !
Rudi

I don't know how true it is but someone said that Placo at FAWB has stock on the chrome moly. Try them it might be worth youre while.

KFA, his name is Don and can be contacted at; (021) 949-7550. He is most helpful and can source any steel tubing you might reguire. I must just correct my earlier post on this person, after having met him. Yes, he is a metallurgist and can advise on steel compositions and comparative strengths & weaknesses, but is not quite able to advise on material strengths based on destruction testing etc. That would be asking a bit much from anyone except a physics prof. Unlike other suppliers who require substantial quantities of chromemoly to fill containers, he is willing to bring in small orders as well.

Rudix, well done! I'm happy for you. Please send pix and data.

Wingless Nut wrote: Rudix, well done! I'm happy for you. Please send pix and data.

Thanks ! Yes, I will build a web page for it as well, hope to spend some time with it on Sunday armed with a camera :D

Thanks Splitter, I'll give them a call as well.