Andrew Winkworth

For the Aussie builders - just thought Id pass on this info.

I have not purchased anything from him, just passing on the details - might be handy for sourcing the odd bolt etc, other than waiting a week or two for stuff from the US.

Regards,

Andrew

AN Hardware

Looking for AN Bolts here is another source you may not have tried. See email below.

Hi Everyone especially the Aussies.

I have been busy over the last 4-5 months setting up a new business dedicated to Australian aircraft builders.

It's called AN-BOLTS www.an-bolts.com.au

I have built the site myself and so can easily make additions and changes at the drop of a hat so let me know what you think. Stock is arriving on a regular basis and am looking to expand the range so if you are after something not listed on the site, shoot me an email.

Add it to favourites and give it a try next time you are ordering hardware.

All the best.

Darren Crompton

AUSTRALIA

My web site: www.kr-2s.com

Drew,

I'm planning on coming down - Ill see if I can muster up a few of the other builders from Qld to head down south!..

Can't get 'em. I'd have been prepared to pay a bit more for the known quantity of having one, but have had a good run with Bosch tools also. US tools are a bit rare here.

Actually you can get them here - just not at Bunnings.

take a look at:

http://www.multimasterfein.com.au/

http://www.justtools.com.au/category870_1.htm

http://www.idealtools.com.au/multimaster_sets

I paid ~$300AUD for a START kit about a year ago, and an additional $80 for a HSS blade form my local Glenfords tool shop.

1 unit is sold - 1 remaining.

Regards,

Andrew

Fellow Builders,

I have two of the following for sale:

Crossbow AHRS400CA-200 - Altitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) :±200 º/sec, Accel :±10g (RS232 data output)

Asking price is $500US each.

These units are located in Australia, shipping cost to US is approx $60US (registered & insured).

Please message me off list if you are interested.

Check with Wayne Blackler (longez360), if anyone local would know - he would.

His details are in the CSA directory listing, and he sometimes visits here too.

Regards,

Nathan,

I got the plans (for Valentines from my wife!!) while I was still at University, thus I didnt have the funds to commit to building.

It was 3 years until I could start mixing epoxy. In that time I build a great workbench, made all the jigs, and made all the little brackets, aluminium hardpoints etc...

I also got to read the plans over and over and over and over (and everything else I could find CSA newsletters etc..), almost to the point where I knew how to build without actually building!!

You are also lucky in the US that you can find someone who is not too far away that would love some company building - a great way to get some experience, by the time you start you wont make all the newbie mistakes and will have the base composite skillset.

What Im trying to say is that there is so much to learn, and so many jigs and hardware bits to make to keep you busy for a while (at least a year).

Id say, if you heart is set on a Cozy, buy the plans and make a start.. It seems that the only thing Cozy builders all say is that they wished they started earlier - I wish I had.

Hope that helps.

The first project I saw the builder had trashed his seatback and was considering those very options when I visited. Don't know what he did, but he had already dismissed the notion of local supply as while he could get the foam, he could only get a whole sheet which cost MUCH more than the amount he needed from ASS. If you find a local supply that isn't too much more than twice the price I'll take a bit. You could always patch what you have and blame it on the neighbor's bunyip...

 

In the light of these two examples downunder I think I'll start on something OTHER than the seatback though.

That someone was me!! I did trash the seatback, and ordered more foam with my next order to Wicks.

In retrospect, the seatback probably was OK (its a few years ago now) I believe that the micro layer had bled throught the layup, and I mistakenly thought I had a problem.

If I had someone who had experience to come and inspect I could have found this out before I trashed it.... Live and learn - you guys in the US dont realise how lucky you are!

As for local supplier, Chris Byrne and I have both spent a huge amount of time trying to source local supply. In the end it is more cost effective to just buy most supplies from the US - and saves a crap load of time too.

The only things I source locally are MGS285, and the styrofoam for the flying surfaces. Everything else is from the US (although I can readily get the odd AN bolt from work )

I won't rule the VB out.

Time to break out your plans.

Page 14? ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS

says

 

Quote:

Humidity will only create problems if it is over 75%. Don’t

undertake a layup if it is pouring down rain outside or, if you notice a cloudy

‘blush’ on the wet epoxy surface, or any evidence of whiteness in the epoxy due

to moisture.

If this is out of date, please someone let me know.

 

No, this is not out of date and very relevant - Living in Victoria was a pain for humidity control during a layup (4 seasons in one day!), but not so now I live in Brisbane.

I have a digital humidity meter in the workshop and monitor before (and during) layups to ensure I dont exceed 75%. I note the temp and humidity in my builder logbook too.

As for VB in the layups - I think your problem might be the Spodman!

Regards,

Andrew Winkworth

Cozy MKIV #937

Brisbane Australia:)

FYI

No to alarm anyone - But ACS and Wicks no longer carry the 4" Gerdes Nosewheel. (looks like the supply dried up - Nat did warn us a few years ago)

I'm getting one from Jack Wilhelmson, who actually has stock!!

As for VH-OOI, I believe that it was built by the late Clive Canning and it is based at Caloundra. I took some photos of it a number of years ago.

The NSW based Defiant is being built be Jock and Ian Anderson.

http://wedderburnairstrip.com.au/aircraftprojects_files/AircraftProjects.htm

As your based in Brisbane, a short trip up the coast might be in order!!

Jon,

I have read that before, and I do know that Nat was very anti-Rosenhan (Matco) after having a set of warped wheels/brakes on his Vari-ez (I think).

The question has been posted as Wicks does not have any remaining stock of the nosewheel. The ACS price has jumped $20 in the last 6 months...

Just looking or alternates before they are no more.

Regards,

Andrew

I've been doing some digging and cant find the answer, so I'll post the question here.

Has anyone used the Matco 4" nosewheel in lieu of the Gerdes??

Regards,

Andrew Winkworth

Cozy MKIV #937

Brisbane Australia