Taylorcraft Project

[Wannabe Cubdriver]

I have an opportunity to pick up a '46 BC12 project. It has everything needed to finish except engine, prop and fabric. It has had new tubing welded into the fuselage everywhere pitting was found, and has been epoxy coated. How can I tell if these repairs are true and the fuselage is not bent. The origional spars are also in the wings, but there are many new ribs to be installed. Is there a metal spar available? What am I getting myself into if I get this, it will be my first project? I know it isn't a Supercub, but I dont have a 100K to spend (nor likely will I ever). I appreciate any help, advice or insight offered.
Cheers all!

[Wayne Mackey]

WC,
To check the fuse. for straight it can be done with a string. Tie a string from the
the center of the rudder post through the frame to the top tube between the upper
motor mount bolt holes. make shore you are centered side to side between the
holes. You can measure from the string to any point on the frame and check one
side against the other. Always measure from the same point on the string when
compairing side to side or top to bottom. Try to allways go out 90 degrees from
the string. All the attach fittings should be with in 1/8 ". The rest could very
+ or - 1/8. An A.I. should have inspected this and entered it in the log books.
have fun Wayne

[PA12driver]

Wantabe, That little T cart is a great little airplane, I built one up, installed an 85hp, skylight, extended baggage, beafed up gear, and redid the trim to a double pulley system, put cessna 150 exhaust on it, flew it for 2000 hours, in Alaska, wheels and skiis. 3.5 gph and 100 mph and would go where Supercubs only dreamed of in the winter, it weighed less then 900 lbs and was a blast to fly!

Suggest you get a "qualified" rag and tube IA to thoroughly check it out. Look carefully at the spars as they are known to rot if left un protected, and mice and other critters can play havoc as well!

Should be a fun project!

Tim

[SuperCub MD]

I bough one of those new lasar levels to do the string checks like Wayne said. It mounts on it's own tripod, and has a lens attachment that turns the single beam into a flat plane that can be shot through the fuselage to check alignments. I can also use it for rigging checks, lining up turtle deck arches, stringers, lining up rib stitches, ect. A string works too, and I've used that many times, but this is a very handy little tool to have, costs under 50 bucks. Star wars tecnology has gotten down to the Cubs.

[Wayne Mackey]

Mark,
What brand laser do you have, I have used one when working in a alum. boat shop
a few years ago. Nice tool but it was about $300 when they bought that one.
Thanks Wayne

[SuperCub MD]

Wayne, It's made by Grand Rapids Industrial Products. No other info like phone # or address on it. I picked it up at the local hardware store. You can pay a lot more for one. The biggest thing with the expensive ones is output of the laser and accuracy. But this one has a working range of 20m and accuracy of .5mm/m, so it is more than good enough to shoot through a 20 ft fuselage. I deffinately like the lens that converts the single beam into a plane. Shooting it through a fuselage is like taking a cat scan of it, and shows exactly what is lined up with what. For example, you can turn the plane vertical, and shoot it down the center of the firewall at the tailpost and it will draw a nice little red line on the exact center of every cross component in the fuselage. I'm working on putting some welded hard points on my fuselage jigs to hold the laser. I think when it's done, it should be possible to repair and realign these old fuselages to tighter specs than Piper ever dreamed of. Sometimes modern tecnology isn't all bad.

[FlipFlop]

Wayne, It's made by Grand Rapids Industrial Products. No other info like phone # or address on it. I picked it up at the local hardware store. You can pay a lot more for one. The biggest thing with the expensive ones is output of the laser and accuracy. But this one has a working range of 20m and accuracy of .5mm/m, so it is more than good enough to shoot through a 20 ft fuselage. I deffinately like the lens that converts the single beam into a plane. Shooting it through a fuselage is like taking a cat scan of it, and shows exactly what is lined up with what. For example, you can turn the plane vertical, and shoot it down the center of the firewall at the tailpost and it will draw a nice little red line on the exact center of every cross component in the fuselage. I'm working on putting some welded hard points on my fuselage jigs to hold the laser. I think when it's done, it should be possible to repair and realign these old fuselages to tighter specs than Piper ever dreamed of. Sometimes modern tecnology isn't all bad.

I picked up one at Costco a few months ago... Seems like I paid about $16.00 for it... It's really handy, I've even used it for setting the landscaping in the back yard...

[Wayne Mackey]

Thanks guys,
I'm heading for town, I just burned my string in to for the 100th time. Its time for
an update. Wayne

[PA12driver]

Heck Wayne, as long as the tail wheel stays behind the rudder isn't that good enough?? You got me jazzed, I have a $1600 laser level so I am thinkin the little one would be a great tool. Might even work for my spot landings??

Tim

[Steve Pierce]

Cuby, Landscaping the back yard? You and my Mom would get along great. She can't get my Dad to do anything unless it has to do with airplanes.

[FlipFlop]

Cuby, Landscaping the back yard? You and my Mom would get along great. She can't get my Dad to do anything unless it has to do with airplanes.

Steve...

It's the wisdom of old age... Honey, I need this level for the backyard and surprise, it works on the airplane too...

[supercub]

MMMMmmmmmmmm Bushwheels as flower pots in the back yard, might think along that line Cuby :lol:

Brian

[FlipFlop]

MMMMmmmmmmmm Bushwheels as flower pots in the back yard, might think along that line Cuby :lol:

Brian

Welcome back Brian!...

Funny you should mention flowers... Last year I talked her into letting me buy an ultralight that I have since sold... The only time it was assembled was in the backyad without fabric and the comment was made about hanging flower pots from it!...

Did you get your big tires installed?...

[Steve Pierce]

Cuby, I just got married so I'll have to use this new line of thinking.

Thanks.

[PA12driver]

I have found after 25 years of marriage that "honesty" still works best! just give her the check book and tell her to have fun, and don't spend more then we can afford, (trust me most women couldn't out spend a Pilot that owns, maintains and flys a cub! I must say though she did almost sell my 185 out of my Hanger while I was flying the cub (the day after she had to send me a new prop)??

About those bushwheels for planters? (that is why I always have a set of Goodyears in the back of the Hanger, (case she really wants to plant the poseys!

Tim