How did you attach the material to the frame? It’s very tight looking. It looks like a plastic that you heat to shrink to the frame. Like they do for boats, for winter storage.

The solar panels on our outdoor lights were faded like a bad headlight lens.
I sprayed the panels with clear lacquer. The lights are good as new. They stay lit through the night.
I must add, a fellow Pelican posted a video on the YouTube thread on this very problem
Thank you

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The material is called oratex. It's made by the German company lanitz. It's very much like the rc model covering material... some of those are stretchy mylar, but a few are dacron based. With rc covering the entire backside of the covering is coated with glue... This stuff has no glue on it.
You glue this stuff with a paint on water born glue... 2 coats, 2 on the airframe and 2 on the fabric where it attaches to the airframe, its heat activated. Its pretty simple, the legacy systems are much more involved.
With this system, once the perimeter is glued down, heat shrinks it tight, no painting is necessary, as the finish is applied at the factory. It's lighter than the older systems, it's a bit tougher as well... those are the upsides. The cons are, the amount of attention to detail it needs, it requires a different skill set and patience to get it right, it will shrink or stretch as needed, up to 30%. The other downside is the expense, it's almost double the cost of the older system of gluing the dacron to the airframe then saturating it with chemicals to a point which it will take paint. Both are excellent and I'm proficient with either.

Such a good shot of the Comanche. I love how sleek and pure that shape is. The way the AH 3000's lines say "sportscar", the Piper's lines say "sportsplane".

Do you get to fly all the airplanes that you restore?

Restore is a loaded word. The comanche had a nice panel and interior when my brother acquired it so the paint work is more of an exterior maintenance issue.
The 12 is a most of the way restoration, that started of as only a recover/paint job.
Yes the comanche is form and function. I prefer the flight qualities to the early model bonanza I briefly owned, but the 540 ci comanche is the total package, it is a true 200mph demon that will damn near carry whatever can be stuffed into it.
I don't imagine I'll get to fly the 12, but it isn't my bird either so there's that. The cap10b i fly frequently as I'm a partner in it.

Well, I took Monday through Thursday of last week off with plans of working around the house. Monday morning I was taking some veggies and fruit out to the woods for the deer, bent over, and wham, I nearly hit the ground with back pain. Ugh, so I've been working on "fixing" my lower back using ice packs, heating pads, and massagers. So, anyway, I didn't let excruciating back pain stop me and I managed to get the spindle replaced on the 46" mower deck. I also sharpened and balanced the blades and installed a new deck belt. I plan to replace the idler pulleys next weekend because they are getting a little loud, and there is no way to service the bearings in them. So, my back is slowly getting back to normal and my mower will be back to normal soon as well. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a5707c16af.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b86a9bddcc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c09faa4329.jpg

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

Does anyone ever balance their lawnmower blades?
I went down the YouTube rabbit hole concerning blade sharpening and balancing!!!
There are all sorts of ways to sharpen blades from things that help you maintain the angle of the cutting surface to sharpening machines. I used an angle grinder with a 60 grit flap disc to take out small nicks in the blade and also used a hand file for sharpening. There are also lots of methods for balancing blades as well from spinner contraptions to just using a trusty old nail. I chose to try the nail method. The blades I have are Oregon Gator Blades and they have a 6-point star mounting hole and they say you cannot balance them on a nail. Well, I beg to differ. I was able to put the center point of the star on the shaft of the nail and balance the blade. I used the mower a little the other day and I can tell that balancing the blades definitely eliminated vibrations. So, if you feel vibrations from your mower, be it a rider or push mower, try balancing your blades for a smoother performance. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...036157835c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b690314831.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9bafe9bc47.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...26de97b4aa.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a001aa9adb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6bfba7caa3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c2c13be61b.jpg

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Broke the BSP to NPT adapter on my oil pressure sensor. It's almost flush in the oil filter housing, so I get to disassemble half the engine to take off the housing so I can properly remove the broken piece. :(

Replicating a few dozen copies of an 8 track tape for a wall hanging.

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Here is an example of one of the blades before and after balancing. It wasn't very far out of balance but you can see how it is dipping down on the left side in the first picture and is hanging pretty straight in the second picture. I installed these blades five years ago and used them right out of the box, no sharpening, no balancing. I have now learned that it is somewhat recommended to sharpen and check the balance of new blades. Depending on the manufacturer and quality of the blades, some can be pretty off-balance. The Gator Blades I use are very well-made and I have never balanced or sharpened them in the five years I have used them so, they were pretty well balanced from new. So, anyway. Happy Mowing!!! [emoji38] https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b1b062e71a.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c530427d14.jpg

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I've wanted one for years.. I finally found a decent CNC router on FB marketplace The cost of entry is kind of high.. plus the tariff BS.... This was local and came with many spares, bits, spindles, Nema stepper motors etc...

While I was out I stopped by my friends shop to use his drill press... and shoot the breeze...

I made a simple trammel bar..to check the spindle is running true.. (plumb in X-Y planes) Ended up spending a good bit of time at the shop.. balancing some Weber carbs.. (another post)

This tool is simple, clamp it to a bit on the spindle.. add another bit... rotate the spindle... all is good if it had the same clearance on the outer bit..

Nerdy yea..

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Put my E Bike together. What a pain in the arse, almost rolled the thing down the mountain... No instructions, not a ton even after googling. Biggest pain was trimming and getting the dropper seat post cable cut the correct length. Charging the battery now for 1st ride tomorrow.


https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/ebikes-hal-eboost-m600-29er-electric-mountain-bikes.htm

I managed to shrink wrap the other half today... pretty nerve wracking just because everything inside needs to be right, because of access later.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1747540011.jpg
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Looking good, Guy!

Did you pick that colour out after seeing my Boxster? ;)

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Cub yellow is what was originally on it..lol

Do you suppose that's where Ferrari got "Fly Yellow"?

Best
Les

Hardly a chicken and egg discussion...;)

I replaced the upper/lower control arms, tie rods and sway bar end links on our daughter and SIL’s 2010 Tahoe. Fortunately, it wasn’t too hot and I had my fan running, but it’s definitely getting harder to work on cars at 66 now.😢

Trying to get the roof to rain gutter re-sealed on the travel trailer. To wet this weekend to get it to happen. Cleaned the gutters and downspouts on the house yesterday while it was raining lightly and swapped over to the summer tires on the one ton.
Need to get back to work for a rest.
Today is a stat holiday an hope it is dry enough so I can caulk the one side of the trailer.
Will be fixing a prime rib roast on the Big Green Egg today too.... Yum.

Ya, I could never do what I did in my 40's building my 911's. I still do fluid changes and such, but nothing I'm gunna be on the floor up & down all day.

My pops put a lift in his shop and will go down there for certain projects.

The top cover straps on my pergola were getting frayed at the brackets. The last one the straps stitching came apart and they replaced it under warranty and told me not to come back.
Sistered some strap pieces to the straps and I'm good to go.
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Dam Repair
 

The other week, my wife mentioned the dam on the pond had some wash out at the end of the culvert so this morning I went up there with some crushed material and fine gravel to fill the gap. Oops! There was about 3 feet of culvert exposed. OK. More than one bucket load. I think I managed to halt the erosion around the pipe. When the ground dries out some more, I will place a couple more loads to widen the top of the dam to its original specs.
The material around here is mostly clay and sand, being on the Valley floor. The digging is easy until you hit a glacial erratic. For any serious work you have to bring in gravel.

Best
Les

Yesterday was a good day, 5 years as an aog came to an end. My little vintage cessna flew again with a rebuilt power plant. It did fairly well with no major surprises. The initial test/break in flight was ended a little early as an oil leak developed. We think we found the source, an oil filter adapter with a leaking gasket. If providence shines upon us we should be good to continue the break in process today or tomorrow. Oddly enough there was a bald eagle soaring over the ramp, it's the only time I've seen a baldy at the airport in the decade I've been out there

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Great progress on the 150(?). Test and make like your life depends upon it. 'Cause it does.
If you want to see bald eagles, come on up. There are a bunch who hang around in the trees by the river below my place. I had a juvenile circle low over me the other week while I was rowing.

Best
Les

I live in a mountain valley east and south of the airport... other side of the mountains in the picture, we have osprey, eagles and seemingly every other flavor of raptor in the valley. Before I moved id get stooped by an American kestrel every time i went to the garden, I called her mad Maxine, she got so close to my noggin, that every time i could hear the whistle of air through the feathers.
The airport is on the edge of a massive waterfowl area, this just happens to be the first time I've seen one on this side of the mountains.

I need to fab intersection/interference fairings from the leggs to the pants and from the leggs to the fuse. Started with the foam today.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1747966188.jpg
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And now the rasps come out! Time to shine! Release the fairings from the foam!

(A little side story about canned foam;

I was working at the local hardware store post-retirement and a coworker thought it would be fun to fill a balloon with spray foam.

Little did he know that the chemicals in the foam caused the latex balloon to disintegrate, and as he was batting the balloon around, foam started going everywhere, including on a customer, ruining a nice Patagonia vest and making a huge mess.

Oops.)

Replaced my pot filler today. It's a Damze. It seems that pot fillers develop leaks over time at the pivot joints. I'm on my third one in about sixteen years. They're easy to replace. I must say I can recommend the Danze brand. They replaced the original about ten years ago free of charge, and replaced this one free of charge also. I just called customer service, explained what happened and they sent one right out. The did have the prior one they send me on record. So I can say I would recommend them on this basis.
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Awesome! The foam is a carrier/anchor for the 5 minute sheet rock mud that shapes quickly.

It was a busy week. I got the comanche fuse in urethane, chased a nasty oil leak on the 150 finished covering the pa12 fuse, skinned the leading edge of a highlander wing and started the shop truck motor swap... jeeze!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1748188339.jpg
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My boat partner came over yesterday to split the truck and pull the engine trans out. Went better than I expected it would.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1748346177.jpg
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Working on scissors lift, is hanging from engine cranehttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1748346480.jpg

Gas power washer. After removing, cleaning and lubricating the unloader valve multiple times, gave up and ordered a replacement pump. $70, back in business, might be pressure than new.

We guys are always so busy!
A blessing or a curse to be born with talents.
Which is the worst? LOL

It can get expensive if you don't know how. It can get expensive and embarrassing if you think you do. It is satisfying if you push yourself just enough to get it done and don't destroy much.
When the old E was in my care I re-indexed the rear suspension to restore ride height, retrofitted pressure fed timing chain tensioner and replaced the shifter bushings. It was a learning experience. Thanks to Pelican, it was only a little painful.

Haha... same :D

I noticed on my 2.5 hour commute home, in my 2014 F150, my AC wasn’t blowing. Picked up a new blower motor and replaced it when I got home. This is the second time I’ve replaced it. Now I’m all set, for many years of cold AC.

How much fun was that!

I did a complete brake fluid change on the 911. I do it every May. I was almost out of month to get it done. ;)

Not really fixing anything, just routine maintenance. I have a HPDE coming up in July. Brake pads are fine. Tires are fine.

I've begun installing new 6" tongue and groove soffit boards to replace those I had to demo in post #3750. Installing these by myself on a ladder is not a simple process. Joints need to be tight or the next board won't fit right. Sounds easy but a PITA and a slow process. I'll post a pic then completed. I know you can't wait.