Good day, all. I am currently in the midst of plans-building my 750. I broke my bending brake on some of the thicker bends, and I am currently rebuilding. Since it is currently only 8' long, I'm wondering if that length will suffice for a future plans-built CH 640. The longest bend in my 750 was just over 8.5', so I had to bend my tail section spars on a different brake. But, since I'm repairing/redesigning anyway, I'd like it to accommodate a 640 project in the future. Anyone know what the longest bends in a 640 are? I plan to build one after my 750 is finished. Thanks in advance, Greg.

Views: 1159

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I think your the right guy to ask this question, when measuring on the plans. Are the measurements from the center of one line to the center of the other line?
I noticed measurements between drill holes is the center of one hole to the other.
But with parts are the dimensions from the outside of the lines edge or the center of the line?

Since I'm scratch building im big into measuring...lol
Again, I can't speak specifically to the CH640. If I understand your question correctly, they give you the dimensions of the overall part, including the thickness of the material, from outside edge to outside edge. I would highly suggest you don't measure anything on the blueprints themselves and then try to scale up. You will end up with errors that way. You are correct that rivet spacing and edge distance is measured from the center if the rivet hole. I'm not quite sure I understand your question, though.
I've not seen the 750 plans, do they have scale drawings on them? on the 640 there are no scale drawings.

So the measurement of parts on the plans is to the outside edge. I was just wondering since the measurements from drill holes was from the center if of the lines...good to know
The way I understand it, Zenith blueprints are specifically NOT to scale, so that you don't try to measure the drawings and then scale up to make a part. I've built all of my parts using their printed dimensions, and with the 750, there is absolutely no reason to try to measure the drawing itself and then scale up. The 750 plans are definitely not to scale.
I somewhat agree with You, but the question needs to be asked. Why is the ch640 not more popular?

I own a sonex plans set, that set is triple the size of the zenith set and loaded with scale drawings. I also own a bearhawk set and it's got of full scale parts..ready to photo copy and knock out.

The 640 plans set is not as friendly...still very good. Just not as cookie cuter as others

I have no complaints about it. Just observations
I have no idea why the 640 isn't more popular, either as a kit or scratch-built. It may be just because the homebuilder segment is obsessed with mostly 2-place airplanes, and you can find used Cherokees and 172s all day long that compete with the 640. I would guess that Zenair doesn't sell enough 640 kits or plans to justify the expense of significantly updating the blueprints...just speculation. It is my understanding that scale drawings lead to production errors. Different printing presses, copiers, printers, etc., produce different scale errors in the copying process. Therefore, if the drawings were perfectly to scale when printed by one vendor, they may be off by 1-2% when printed by another vendor, but there would be no way to know. And then there would be still more error when you photocopy them. Unless there is clearly missing dimensions and/or information (in such cases, a call to Zenith/Zenair is prudent), I can't see any reason to directly measure the drawings and then try to scale up. Some designs do a full-scale wing rib template for wood designs, but you still have to make sure the scale of the drawing perfectly matches your measuring tools, or you end up with errors.

I wanted to get your thoughts on metal working in cold weather. Is there any concerns about shaping metal during the winter months in an un-heated garage? I did a quick google search and didnt find much.

Forming ribs, bending brake usage...etc?

That's a tough one. I formed a lot of my parts at different times of the year, sometimes when the metal was cold, sometimes warm. I heat my garage, but only when I'm working in it, so a lot of the time I'm working with metal that hasn't had a chance to warm up. I have not noticed any mis-matching between parts made in colder weather vs. warmer weather upon assembly. Where I suspect you may notice it, if at all, would be on the larger structures like the wings and fuselage, where you might get some very minor "oil canning" across some unsupported skin areas with changes in the season.The expansion and contraction is slight, though, in the temperature swings we're worried about. As long as you match-drill your parts when they are the same temperature, you really shouldn't have a problem. But I wouldn't worry too much about it unless your temperature ranges are really severe. And even then, it should be very a very minor issue.

There may be some other folks with different experiences on the forum here. I'm in mid-Michigan, where we have pretty moderate temps most of the time. One of the well-known concepts in airplane building, though, is that you don't need a controlled climate like with composite or wood construction. I really wouldn't worry too much about it.

RSS

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
 

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...


Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith
:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.


Zenith Homecoming Tee:


Zenair Floats


Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz


Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2024   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service