Progress of an Aussie Prebuilder

[Cozy1200]

Well, I know there are a couple Australian canardian here. I thought I should post my prebuild progress here and to ask for help.

 

Sorry for the cross post, but over here I recorded my decision to finally start building after 4 years.

 

My search for MGS epoxy continues. I received two messages today. The MGS distributor listed on the MGS website, the one that Spodman offered, called and left a message on my mobile phone. She said IronBark Composites is their local to distributor and to contact them for assistance.

 

Ironbark Composites is the other supplier that I called on Friday. I had emailed him and asked about pricing for 335. He returned with pricing for 235. Unfortunately this is not one of the approved epoxies. In a follow-up email, I realized that the only approved epoxy that he offers is 285. That somewhat explains why I've heard MGS is so expense in OZ, it's the better of the two. I was hoping to use 335, but looks like I'll have to make do with with the more expensive 285. I hope to have pricing tomorrow. That will have a big impact on costs. It looks like he sells epoxy by weight, not volume.

 

I also received a very nice response from Kevin Dove in Perth. He said he'd purchased 30 liters (8 gallons) for $1,400(AUS). That's roughly $150USD per gallon. Fortunately it's only be a couple hours drive to pick it up. So I hope to only buy a few gallons at a time. Kevin other comment was that suppliers are terribly expensive in OZ. He said he just bought some bolts locally from FBO. They cost him $2.50 each, whereas spruce has them for $.40. OUCH

Foam was about the same. As you can see from his website, he found it was cheapest to buy all the supplies from the US in one shot.

 

Ironically enough, he suggested that I contact Chris Byrne in Sydney for help as well. I met Chris about a year ago, saw his plane in primer, and had a nice enjoyable supper with him & his wife.

 

It's been a couple years since Kevin did his pricing and the exchange rate has drastically changed in Australia's favor. So I'll probably spend this week calling the contact he has on his website to confirm pricing, although it sounds like I'll be buying most of the supplies from the states.

 

Any Australian builders out there, I'd appreciate your help in locating suppliers.

 

Depending on the progress this week on locating suppliers, I may be ready to call Spruce/Wicks place an order by the first of next week. My thought on the shipment is to order most of the supplies for CH4-9 minus the gear. I've even consider trying to add in CH13 which would be a completed tub with nose, but haven't completed decided on it.

 

I would think this should fit on a single shipping pallet. Standard pallets are 48"x40" & less than 60" tall. Without epoxy, I would think it would fit. Anyone else agree? Anyone have any idea on what ch4-ch9 would weigh?

 

I wanted to ballpark shipping costs, I found this freight forwarder:

http://www.wtxglobal.com/

 

I though out what I hope to be some high numbers: 40"wx48"Lx60"H 300lb

Estimated costs of $575 and ETA of 44 days. This wouldn't include local GST and probably not delivery, but it gives a start. I'm hoping ASS will arrange shipping and even accept deliveries from other vendors for things they don't carry. I'm hoping they will arrange the sea freight as well.

 

By trying to get everything on one skid, I will probably need to buy the wood locally. With this thread from a while back, I don't see sourcing spruce locally to be a problem. It may cost more, but I can't image trying to ship a 100" piece of spruce around the world.

 

Another random thoughts.

I has really hoping to buy the wider 50" BID from Thayercraft. Unfortunately it it looks like they are out until November. I not sure if Spruce would even allow me to add on a fiberglass shipment on from a competitor. The bid is 50" wide, it'll make less joints, but also may not fit on standard pallet.

 

Anyone else have any contact for possible sources of supplies in Australia?

 

 

...The prebuild continues....

[Cozy1200]

Today I called a company call Fiber Glass International. They're about 10 miles from me.

 

They said they had peel-ply. It's 1.5 meters wide and costs $3 aud per Meter. She said they have only one grade: Fine. She said they bring in a more course grade for one customer on request.

 

QUESTION: If it's peel-ply and used in the fiberglass industry, do I need to be concerned about using it? :feed:

 

This seems like a good deal. I think this is the stuff spruce sells at $3.25 USD

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/dacronfabric.php

 

Tomorrow, I'll be on the road all day so, it'll be Friday before I can make more calls.

 

...the Prebuild continues...

[Jon Matcho]

I would think this should fit on a single shipping pallet. Standard pallets are 48"x40" & less than 60" tall. Without epoxy, I would think it would fit. Anyone else agree?

I think I ordered 4-8 at once, maybe 9 as well. It easily fit on one pallet with the exception of the longeron wood. You probably can get that locally.

 

By trying to get everything on one skid, I will probably need to buy the wood locally.

Ah, which you know already.

 

I has really hoping to buy the wider 50" BID from Thayercraft.

For the benefits of a 50" roll (fewer seams), I don't think it's worth it at all. BID is an animal to control and I wouldn't rate the seamless feature of a 50" roll over much else. It's not worth it IMO.

 

Good luck!

[Cozy1200]

I think I ordered 4-8 at once, maybe 9 as well.

 

For the benefits of a 50" roll (fewer seams), I don't think it's worth it at all.

 

>4-9 on one pallet.

Good to hear.

 

>50" Bid

Sounds like a valid opinion. For the ease of purchasing and shipping, I'll probably take you advice.

 

 

I've been sick yesterday & today(Saturday), but I still went out to check on buying some spruce.

 

I talked to this place earlier in the week and said they had some in stock, but more was do in next month.

 

http://www.mathewstimber.com.au/

 

It was quite enjoyable to see all the different selection of rough cut wood. All the typical wood I hear about in the states were marked US. There was a lot of native Australia and NZ wood in stock.

 

Their were two pieces of very straight, very clean spruce in stock that were 3 meters long. They were basically 2x8s (50mmx200mm) and twice as much thickness as needed. I think I could cut all the pieces needed from a 1x8. Now for the kicker, it costs $108 AUD per meter! That's roughly $265 USD for a 10 foot 2x8. Where-as all the precut parts from spruce would be approx $135.

 

The good news is that I can get the spruce locally. The bad news is it's gonna costs twice as much as aircraft spruce. I'll make a couple more calls around town to see if I can find a better price, but now I don't have to worry about shipping it around the world.

 

Anyone around Victoria interested in splitting the cost with me? I think I may be able to get two sets out of one board.

 

 

I received a response from Fibreglass & Resin Sales saying that they could get Divinycell. Below are the prices she quoted.

(3) sheets 3/4" x 24" x 48" H45 PVC 1 x 2.98m² sheet 20mm thick x $231.88 Divinycell

(6) sheets 3/8" x 32" x 48* H45 PVC 1 x 2.98m² sheet 10mm thick x $138.28 Divinycell

(1) sheet 1/4" x 36" x 39" H100 PVC. 1 x 2m² sheet 6mm thick x $120.24 Divinycell

 

I think that rules out buying foam locally!

 

So it looks like I've coming to the conclusion that I'll probably buy epoxy, wood, & peel-ply. Everything else I'll buy from the states.

[Jon Matcho]

>50" Bid

Sounds like a valid opinion. For the ease of purchasing and shipping, I'll probably take you advice.

At least through the fuselage. Maybe you'd want to try 50" on the wings, but I'm still wondering whether that's worth it. I'm a bit of a weight weenie myself, and I have no plans to get a 50" roll next time. The 36" roll I have (or whatever size it is) is already difficult enough to handle. Maybe I'd go up to the width of my worktable (48"), so maybe 50" would be fine.

 

Hmmm... would probably still end up throwing a lot of "BID triangles" out, maybe more than usual. You've got me thinking though.

[Big Steve]

I have been using the 50" Thayercraft bid and it works great has actually saved me a lot of glass and not so many seems. I bought a bunch of 38" cheap from a previous builder I do not like it near as much. STeve