0.8 Hours -
We had a cold front blow through South Texas, so I figured I better get some RV building time in while the temperatures are below 80. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time this evening. However, I did manage to get the aileron pushrods cut to length.
The W-716 pushrods are constructed from a piece of AT6-035 x 1.125 aluminum tube that has to be cut into two pieces that are each 65-25/32″ long. 65-25/32″ is a bit difficult to measure so I measured to 65″ with a tape measure, then added the 25/32″ with a small scale. Once I marked the distance, I re-measured and re-measured again before making the cut. Cutting the tube was the easy part, as I simply used a tube/pipe cutter. The process was repeated for the second tube, and I ended up with about 10″ of extra material. If I were building an 8, I believe the pushrods would be longer, and no excess would be left over. I guess it is easier for Van’s to only supply one length.
W-716 pushrods cut to length. Van's gives you close to a foot of extra material.
Next, I made the W-818 pushrods. These pushrods will connect the larger pushrods to the ailerons, and are constructed from 4130 x 1/2 steel tube that has been powder coated. These are significantly shorter than the W-716 pushrods at 23-13/16″, which makes them much easier to measure. As with the other pushrods, I used a tube/pipe cutter to cut the stock to size. However, there was only about 1/2″ of extra material included on this piece.
W-818 pushrods cut to length. Unlike the W-716 pushrods, there is only about a half inch extra material for these.
Finally, I set up the pipe drilling jig I bought for my drill press about a year ago. This little tool was bought specifically for drilling these pushrods, but it has sat on my workbench, unused, for almost a year. Using an excess piece of aluminum tube as a test piece, I quickly drilled two holes. The jig did it’s job and the holes were exactly opposite each other. Now I just need to mark the ends of the pushrods and drill some holes.
I finally got to set up the drill press tube drilling jig that I've had for about a year now. This should simplify drilling the pushrods.
