I've always wanted to build an airplane but I know that when I get tired, hot, sweaty and comfortable, I cut corners and make mistakes; I'd be afraid to risk my life in a plane I built. So, I really admire the patience, focus, attention to detail, and precision that you put into this. I can only assume that you must constantly tell yourself to slow down and put quality ahead of speed because there is no deadline for completion.
I love the creativity. A solution that is doable for you and makes a very finished product. I could not help but notice the background music. It's an old familiar tune for me. I recently used crazy glue to seal a cut on my left index finger. Did a perfect job. (It also works to repair a small cut in a tire tube)
When you’re using a bandsaw to trim thin sheet metal with a large area, how do you keep it from flopping around? Do you use a plywood backer board for rigidity? Or get an extra set of hands to hold it? Thanks
I have not yet. I will send them some pics just so that if something needs changed in their CAD file they can make the changes. Since I had the material here, I figured it would be quicker to just make a new custom fit glareshield so that I could leave out the firewall holes. Plus, I wanted to make the side tabs and front a bit longer. One thing I've found in building airplanes, is that it's extremely helpful to have a large benchstock of hardware and spare aluminum. I find that I'm always making some sort of bracket or mount and need extra aluminum, or nuts and bolts.
Hi Mark, thanks again for making these. I am currently an armchair builder but out of curiosity, if Zenith supplies a part that doesn’t fit or is miss drilled ( I have seen this on other builds online) how are they about sending out the correct part? I would not expect a home built airplane to go together trouble free, but in your case if it was miss drilled would they send you a replacement. Thanks again, I get real stoked when your videos drop.
Zenith has excellent customer service. There have been a few parts on the Cruzer and SD that had small manufacturing errors and once I let Zenith know, 99% of the time they have a new part going out the same day. I have no doubt that Zenith would replace this skin if I asked, but since I have rolls of aluminum at home I didn’t mind just making a new one.
Nice work. I'm curious: did you decide a while back to buy some extra aluminum sheet, in case of mistakes/do-overs, or was it something you happened to have from a previous project? If it's the former, maybe you could consider another video about mistakes and... contingency planning? Keep up the good work!
Recommend electric double cuts. Also a pattern marker might be nice or a scribe even better. Also i wanna make you a quick wire stripping tip video before ya get to that
Excellent Job! The quality of your work is estimable. Is there a reason the glareshield goes under the side skins? Or is that just a temporary fit? Just thinking about rain running into the seam as apposed to fitting the glareshield like lap siding where the upper piece lays over the the lower one to shed water.
It actually depends on the panel. If you go with the wider Cruzer panel, then the glareshield goes out side of the side skins. But it goes on the inside of the side skins with the STOL panel. It's difficult to explain without showing you pics, but it has to do with the vertical steel tube. The glaresheidl (with STOL panel) won't fit not he outside of the vertical tube.
One of my favorite aircraft channels. thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks for watching!
I've always wanted to build an airplane but I know that when I get tired, hot, sweaty and comfortable, I cut corners and make mistakes; I'd be afraid to risk my life in a plane I built. So, I really admire the patience, focus, attention to detail, and precision that you put into this. I can only assume that you must constantly tell yourself to slow down and put quality ahead of speed because there is no deadline for completion.
Very satisfying to pull that plastic off.
I like the music choice!
Excellent background music!
I like it too!
Working with sharp edges = shop expedient first aid solutions. Nice work.
Nice job old man!
Must say that every morning I check the Bell to see if you have uploaded. Really like you videos.
Knowing how long it takes to complete a task is enlightening to us watching these videos, as to the time you put into it.
I love the creativity. A solution that is doable for you and makes a very finished product. I could not help but notice the background music. It's an old familiar tune for me. I recently used crazy glue to seal a cut on my left index finger. Did a perfect job. (It also works to repair a small cut in a tire tube)
Nice detailed work. I’m very familiar with using 3M Blue masking tape that way too.
I’ve cut up my fingers plenty building my Cruzer. Looking really nice sir…
What is your home base to fly out of.
When you’re using a bandsaw to trim thin sheet metal with a large area, how do you keep it from flopping around? Do you use a plywood backer board for rigidity? Or get an extra set of hands to hold it? Thanks
Nope I just use my long arms. I'm able to move around the bandsaw to hold the aluminum.
Nice work, did you talk to Zenith to find out what the problem with the old glare shield is out of curiosity? I'm wondering if they are all this way.
I have not yet. I will send them some pics just so that if something needs changed in their CAD file they can make the changes. Since I had the material here, I figured it would be quicker to just make a new custom fit glareshield so that I could leave out the firewall holes. Plus, I wanted to make the side tabs and front a bit longer. One thing I've found in building airplanes, is that it's extremely helpful to have a large benchstock of hardware and spare aluminum. I find that I'm always making some sort of bracket or mount and need extra aluminum, or nuts and bolts.
Hi Mark, thanks again for making these. I am currently an armchair builder but out of curiosity, if Zenith supplies a part that doesn’t fit or is miss drilled ( I have seen this on other builds online) how are they about sending out the correct part? I would not expect a home built airplane to go together trouble free, but in your case if it was miss drilled would they send you a replacement. Thanks again, I get real stoked when your videos drop.
Zenith has excellent customer service. There have been a few parts on the Cruzer and SD that had small manufacturing errors and once I let Zenith know, 99% of the time they have a new part going out the same day. I have no doubt that Zenith would replace this skin if I asked, but since I have rolls of aluminum at home I didn’t mind just making a new one.
Nice work. I'm curious: did you decide a while back to buy some extra aluminum sheet, in case of mistakes/do-overs, or was it something you happened to have from a previous project? If it's the former, maybe you could consider another video about mistakes and... contingency planning? Keep up the good work!
In 2005 I bought the plans for a Hummelbird and bought a lot of aluminum. I didn’t finish the plane but still have rolls of aluminum.
@@KitplaneEnthusiast !!! A very different animal... thanks for the reply.
Recommend electric double cuts. Also a pattern marker might be nice or a scribe even better. Also i wanna make you a quick wire stripping tip video before ya get to that
Excellent Job! The quality of your work is estimable.
Is there a reason the glareshield goes under the side skins? Or is that just a temporary fit? Just thinking about rain running into the seam as apposed to fitting the glareshield like lap siding where the upper piece lays over the the lower one to shed water.
It actually depends on the panel. If you go with the wider Cruzer panel, then the glareshield goes out side of the side skins. But it goes on the inside of the side skins with the STOL panel. It's difficult to explain without showing you pics, but it has to do with the vertical steel tube. The glaresheidl (with STOL panel) won't fit not he outside of the vertical tube.
You could use thin leathergloves!
👍👏
Nice Mark, I would love to know in your videos How much elapsed time it took to do a particular part?
This panel took about 3-4 hours to make. But I don't log flight time or build time anymore.
where do you order the new aluminum sheets from?
At 72 years of age is this a project I should attempt. ?? Well I think I can with the assistance of my 18 year old son make it a FATHER SON PROJECT.
Absolutely! My dad is 78 and just about ready for his private pilot checkride. Never too old!