CBarber

Yeah, HF tools are not the highest quality, however, I have had similiar issues with "brand name" tools too. My Rotar Zip switch has become so tempermental that I couldn't get it to work last time I tried. I have gone through about 7 or 8 rotary tools (Dremmel, Black and Decker and Craftsman) in the last 18 months. Funny, my first B&D lasted over five years. I know that power tools don't like fiberglass dust but geeeesh. I like HF stuff as much for redundancy if nothing else. So I have a big mix of "quality" handtools and then a number of HF stuff that may have caught my eye to support the better stuff. As to tools I know I will rarely use, HF is the way to go for me. If I was making my living with tools I don't think I could do so, but for the occasional or even one use HF rules. Also, it is kinda fun to go into the store and walk out with a cart full of stuff and not feel you spent all that much All the best, Chris

The software is called SiteSpinner by Virtual Mechanix. It allows a graphical interface to do html in a somewhat straight forward manner. The real problem is that it saves all the paths for objects and pictures mapped through your hard drive, not a central location (yeah, I could of, should of done it myself). In the last few years, I have lost a hard drive and a entire computer. I actually recreated the site on the second computer. I know if I was more savy, acutally wanted to devote the time I could likely work around a solve the issue, but the reality is I would rather build...or for that matter do about anything else that mess with it. Funny, but in the late 80's/early 90's computers were one of my hobbies....not anymore, they are just a very useful tool. So, I really can't "blame" the software, it is just the way it works and would be a real pain for me to decifer. I do want to update my page, maybe I will get motivated once the project is past this pesky little fuel strake issue. All the best, Chris

No, not on my website. My site is very cumbersome to update without destroying what is already there. A poor choice of software about five years ago. As a result I have not updated it since Aug of '06. So, I will try to post some here later. All the best, Chris

Here is the link to Andy's webpage. He gives nice details and, very unlike me, keeps it updated. It should address several of your curiosities. He has a nice index to help you get started. http://www.kal-soft.com/velocity/ All the best, Chris

Well, I attached the five sections lids per strake side night-before-last. One side sealed right up, the other (the first side I did....reinforcing that whenever I do it twice, the second attempt is twice as good in half the time) I found a couple of leaks and sealed them quickly....much easier since I was only having to focus on the part of the straks where the new pieces were placed on a lip and not every nook and crany that holds fuel. I had already acheived a water tight seal on the "bowl" that was the strakes w/out the tops last week. Now both sides are air-tight with pure EZPoxy. For those following the saga, I chose not to try to reline the stakes with Jeffco fuel sealant. This is what failed completly causing me to rebuild my strake interiors. Great fun.....NOT. After speaking with many including Velocity, Inc I concluded that Jeffco presented another failure point with no clear advantage. As I have stated before, Velocity, Inc states they started using Jeffco to satisfy client concerns regarding fuel additives in diesel and auto fuels, ethanol etc. However, they have never seen any of the concerns come to fuition. Their research as well as one of their builders (who reportedly did extensive research on epoxies for the fiberglass motorcycle tanks he builds) shows EZPoxys as the best choice for a variety of fuels. Yep, antidotal at best, but I KNOW I had a faliure with the Jeffco. Once fuel got past the Jeffco, the factory supplied strake shells where NOT satuated well with epoxy since they were designed to have epoxy added when installed (EXPoxy or Jeffco), thus it was a short trip to a leak. Now I have to go back and refinish the top of the straks and ad some top layups/micro to make it all pretty. It is REALLY ugly now but is sealing. Wahoo....I hope:cool2: . THEN back to engine testing and insturment installations. Heck, if I can keep fuel out of the cabin, I may try to re-install my interior. That would be a personal milestone. Alas, building is accomplished with small goals that hopefully are eventually acheived. Should any be interested in pictures of the really, REALLY ugly results, let me know and I will try to post something. ONWARD........ All the best, Chris Edited: Due to fat fingures and small keyboard

I understand there is some risk, but I would think it is VERY minor. You may be looking for a solution for a problem that does not exist. An internet build buddy of mine who lives in Michigan, Andy Millam, added additional heating capacity (additional heat exchanger) in his nose for the cold yankee winters. Down here in Houston it may not be as much of an issue as often. Don't know how well it acts as a cabin heater yet other than the above statement. The standard set up is well proven in the Velocity's and I have not heard of any issue. The real engineers may be able to comment better on the real pressure drop issue, but I think it may be "majoring in a minor concern". I have actually thought that perhaps there is an additional degree of cooling by going down the long lines....even considereed a NACA scoop to the channel the lines go down, but nah, don't need a solution to the percieved problem....yet <g>. All the best, Chris

Hmmmmmmm? I thought you were not supposed to "stall" canards on the runway like the non convential engine in front guys, but instead were to fly it all the way down to touchdown. IIRC, nasty things happen like slamming the front nose down if you "stalled" it down. Virtual or real world. Please, correct me if I am wrong. All the best, Chris

My thought as well. Last night I added about 20 gallons of water to each strake. Since the tops are off the strakes I do not foresee any issue with getting all the water out later. Figure water is safer than fuel and will find the big holes. The strakes were holding when I left. I have an early morning but will try to get out there tonight after work (my workday ends at 2300 hrs) and see how they did. All the best, Chris

Funny that you should mention this as I have entertained the thought should I have another strake issue. If you recall, hell, it may be because of my issue you ask, I had Jeffco fail in my tanks. I had used the Jeffco specifically to address additives in fuel (in case of diesel conversion, ethonal etc). After disscussions with Velocity, Inc and others I have chosen to NOT use Jeffco again and use straight EZ-83/10 epoxy. Velocity says they have not had issue with this use. They started using Jeffco to solve a customer concern that was only SPECULATED about. If I have to tear open my strakes AGAIN, I will do what I can to fabricate metal...hopefully if this ever happens, it will be down the road after I develope better metal skills...of find someone who has them already. The interior of the Velo strakes have baffles inside. I do not know how much structural intergrity the baffles ad and if they would be a factor for metal bladders. Without the bladders, the shaping of the bladders would be much easier (put metal baffles in the bladders to reduce sloshing)....don't know what would be best with them for streanth purposes....several (five for the velo per side) separate bladders would be needed if you needed to keep the current baffles. Interesting to think about. All the best, Chris

I don't know if the "so called" 51% rule (or, IIRC the major portions rule) would be too much of an issue. Again, IIRC, it excludes things like enginesa and wiring and talks more to the major type of processes not the actual build time percentage. I believe either Wayne and/or Marc are quite versed on this point. All that being said, I like the fact that I have intimate knowledge of every inch of my bird. I enjoy moving from one stage to the next. But, if you stated goal is speed, it my perhaps work. I do know that I could now build twice as good a plane in half the time if I had to (heavans forbid:( ) do it again. Finally, I would not think that retrofitting a glass panel in an already flying airplane would be that big of a challenge or be that time consuming. I don't think it would be half as hard as steam instruments. FWIW. All the best, Chris

I know this plane was for sale but I don't know if it has sold. It has been in the Houston area for a few years now. Those pictures are taken out at Ellington Field (EFD) a couple of rows over from my hangar. The owner, I believe his first name is David tells the story, IIRC, that "officially" the plane does not exist anymore according to Scaled. Again, IIRC he does state that the nose is that shape due to instruments they were using at the time. The plane is bigger than a standard EZ. My buddy David Staten has flown in it. He monitors these list at times and may be able to chime in. If he does he will be able to provide most all the details....that boy can be a walking encylopedia. All the best, Chris

Yep, the only fact was that I expressed my opinion, which I stick by. I do think the Velocity is much cooler/prettier than an EZ. The extra room is just a perk and from those that have flown both or either, again, opinions vary as to how they fly. I am pretty convinced the flight characteristics not only depend on the build quality but also on the mission objective. But even in the mission objectives, differences of taste flourish as to what are more useful, desirable or needed. Sometimes the discussion can be enlightening....sometimes tedious. Not that I think anything is wrong with an EZ, it is a good looking plane. I also really like RV's but when I was allowed to choose, I made mine Velocity!!! I think it is kinda like comparing women....I may prefer Christi Brinkly (wow is she still looking good for coming up on her mid 50's), you may prefer Jacklyn Smith. Jacklyn is a true classic beauty who still takes your breath away, but if I had MY choice on looks alone, Christi would be my pick. Hmmmm, who else can we/I objectify.....really pretty mature women...Valerie Bertonelli (hubba hubba), Marie Osmond, Heather Locklear (if'n you don't focus too much on her recent arrest:( ). Hey, this is kinda fun. if a bit sexist. No apologies there, I am happy God made me a guy;) As to RRL, I kinda like the idea they are using Velocity's but I do not think the idea can really, uh, fly, if you will excuse the pun . All the best, Chris

With all due respect, HORSEHOCKY. You may like the EZ better, and I can understand dissapointment if the first posters you saw had a more EZ type bird, but the Velocity is not a stationwagon looking plane. I actually like the lines of the Velocity MUCH better. Of course as in most things of taste, opinions vary. Just had to spend my 2cents. I now return you to your regularly scheduled program. All the best, Chris

My fellow composite devotee's, as y'all may remember from this very forum and now also in the CSA Newsletter (No 92)I had a bit of an issue with Jeffco sealant failing in the strake of my Velocity SE. In some areas it failed in mass, in others, it faied in smaller areas....however, any failer is not only unacceptble and cause for concern it is also just a real PITA. I have replaced the inner skins of the right strake and have the process down and shall start the left strake asap. The new glass is being layed up with fresh EZ-84 epoxy. I have taken some of the "good" cut out Jeffco sides from the strakes, as well as some EZ84 parts I had aroung the hangar and have had them soaking in Auto fuel (purchased from the pumps just across the street from EFD) which is up to 10% ethanol, for about a month. When I have examined the pieces, both Jeffo and EZpoxy, all seems ok. No separtion of the Jeffco from the EZPoxy and niether seems to have softened. Softening is one of the problems I have seen discussed. I am at a point of chosing if I should finish the strakes out by trying to apply Jeffco again or just staying with straight EZpoxy. I have a new $450 batch of Jeffco in the hangar and a couple of new gallons and a half kits of EZpoxy....that cost is done, so cost is, and never was a factor. I read Gary Hunters reply to my problems in the CSA newsletter (Gary has been to my hangar a few times and was my EAA tech counselor for my first conditional inspection a while back) and his comments on Jeffco sometimes having problems with adheasion is taken to heart. Due to this and my Jeffco failure I am leaning towards staying with straight EZpoxy. I have read here (or related email lists or likely both) of folks flying with straight EZpoxy strakes for decades....even with Ethanol and other additives in the fuels. My reason for using Jeffco in the first place was due to the "conventional wisdom"....or so I thought (ie, list servers, Velocity, Inc etc) that it was the stuff to use to eliminate concerns about fuel additives, ethanol, diesel fuels etc....guess not. So, since I am using an auto conversion and continue to plan to use auto gas should EZpoxy be up to the task? I know some have said it will, but I am asking for confirmation of this data point in case I misunderstood. I am confidant that EZpoxy WILL adhear to EZpoxy and I can add to what I have already used to rebuild the right stake and now on the left strake. Obviously the idea of not only having to do this again, not to mention the anxiety of even have to worry about it at 10000 feet....or 10 feet....or 500 feet AGL is not the way I hope to fly my plane. I have also made some test strips of new lay-ups of EZpoxy satuated glass onto Jeffo. I let it cure and returned the next day. I could not pull the test strips off the Jeffco without it destroying the glass. The bond did NOT separate at all, The glass itself faild, not the Jeffco to EZpoxy bond. I did this with well sanded surface as well as surface that had no sanding on both Jeffco to EZpoxy and EZpoxy to Ezpoxy. All bonds seemed very stout...howerver, neither of these batches have been soaked in Autogas/ethanol. I will also be looking into the proseal that Gary mentions as well. It too had been mentioned but I thought it was more for sealing leaks but I shall endeavor to find out. Also, I expect to fill the strakes with water and let set for a while and see if I have leaks before I seal the strake tops back on. My hangar partner just did this with the VariEZ he is restoring. He is haveing to address leaks in his stakes as well, just not caused by a bad Jeffco application. Come on guys/gals, Wayne, Terry, John and all else, what say ye. This is when I need some cold, hard commentatry, thoughts, concerns, brain farts etc. It is appreciated. Thanks. All the best, BTW, I will try to write in a more "publishable" manner in case my writing may show up on CSA again....geeeeszz, when you read what you wrote in e-mail in a more formal published form it makes you kinda cringe...wait, maybe I need to re-read this........naahhhhh, I got a plane to build;) FINALLY, the Wings over Houston Airshow is coming up on Oct 25/26. On the 25th, Saturday, EAA Houston, EAA Chapter 12 will be having an open house in my hangar Alpha Papa. Please, if you can make the Airshow, please stop by the hangar and say Hi. I will be the guy trying to explane why my strake tops are cut open.

Dang Brett I was a wondering when we would hear from you about this. Sounds like you got quite the little pilot in your little woman (hmmmm, could I sound anymore sexist? ). Damn those pesky sign posts. My heart sunk when I heard about it but am thrilled y'all are ok. Will be curious about your post mortum report and repair scheme....there is NO doubt in my mind you are gonna repair and fly again. All the best, Chris

Why are you limiting a N/A rotary to 140 to 150 hp? It is my understanding (after much research and building and running two 13b's, trashing one as part of the learing curve etc...but, alas, not either one to flight) that the N/A in the car was about 160 hp for the second gen and that was with a lot of smog emission stuff on it etc and no porting. I am suprised by the notion that removing "car stuff" and porting would make the rated car hp go down. I understand that most my information is from somewhat limited sources, but Tracy Crook, who does have a vested interest and bias, seems to think he is getting closer to 180 plus in his current (actuall previous two rotor 2nd gen, meaning I think a lot of his published info is for the 2nd gen and not the Renesis he is now running) install. The race crowd (yeah, not always transferable to aviation) seems to get 200 hp or so with a mild street port and the conventional wisdom is that is without a sacrafice to base engine reliability. As has been stated much of the problems with the rotary, as well as most/all alternative engines is the extra stuff you need (can't spell perifiel <sp>?) like alternators, cooling, PSRU etc. Even if you do not get this somewhat (or maybe wild ass opptomistic) lofty hp, it would still seem you are gonna get more than 150 hp. Tracy's estimates are based on very quasi science, how is his flying next to RV's with 180, 160 and 200 hp Lycomings. Far from perfect, but still part of the data stream. However, Al Geitzen's data (the aformentioned 3 rotor Velo)is very scientific (you know how those engineers are <g>) and from a dyno. NOPE, not the same as a 13b two rotor, but on the right track at least. My Velo is rated at needing 160 hp with published "marketing" figures from Velo's website as 155 kts at 75% power on the fixed gear versionn (and with 200 hp; 172 kts with fixed gear) http://velocityaircraft.com/airplane-specifications.html, everything else is gravy, or so I hope. ;-) FWIW. All the best, Chris

Thanks for the kinds words, but I really don't think I have had bad luck on the Velocity. It is all part of the process and my desire to share in the learning and provide full disclosure (like my hero John Slade:rolleyes: ). I learned an amazing amount from watching and listening to others......... So, not bad luck......GROWTH. All the best, Chris

LOL:cool: Me too, we do tend to get some water under the door during strong rains...this was a bit stronger than most. All the best, Chris

For those interested I was able to drive out to Ellington Field (EFD) today and drive by my hangar and all appeared in tact. I was pressed for time as I had to also check on my home/elderly mother before getting back to serve and protect, so I did not make it inside, but the structure looked sound. We have heard one of the local airports was devistated. Perhaps Pearland Regional/Clover was the rumor with some chilling images. Information is sketchy and due to power outages TV is limited. Y'all may have much more information then me. I am typing this in my patrol car's laptop. Ellington(elevation about 41') is about 25 miles north of Galveston, my house is about 30. HOWEVER, Houston/Galveston is NOT New Orleans and things are progressing....maybe not as fast as some of the media idiots feel it proper, but we are pulling together. Since the media only seems to focus on the negative...or potential negative, if they were reporting on Jesus walking on water, they would be griping he got his feet wet. One row of homes will have grid power or a generator and there will be extension cords across the roadway to a nieghbors house to help out. We have even caught a break with the weather becoming cool, by Houston standards, and clear. I did get power last night, so my mom, who I take care of, and my dog Winston are good even if my fence and some of my roof is not. However, I am at work and power is hit and miss in Bellaire Texas (a little city surrounded by SW Houston. Don't know about power at the hangar but since I don't get off work til 11pm I hope to have power when I am able to get out there again. Just FYI. I hope to be back at rebuilding my strakes ASAP. All the best, Chris

Good suggestion. I already have a portable air conditioner and a portable dehumidifier. Your idea is exactly what I plan to do with a plastic tent, late at night (I don't get off work until 11:00pm), maybe around 1 or 2 am when it is much cooler and the humidity is much less. Of course this is all after Ike blows past. I will be working 24/7 for the next three or four days (at least) with 12 hours on, 12 hours off, bunking in the fire department. Ah, duty calls. All the best, Chris

Most y'all know of my tribulations with my Jeffco coating failing in my strakes. After both a busy social and work schedule I have been able to remove the Jeffco from the right strake, by sanding, grinding and cutting out the inner skin of various parts of the right strake. I have laid in new glass and have all NEW inner skins. I have NOT determined the root cause of the failure of the Jeffco. I have various removed and new Jeffco and EZPoxy samples sitting in auto gas. One thing is for sure, AlphaPoxy failed quickly....I suspected as much, but I had a sample so I tested it. I do not see any difference in the Jeffco or EZPoxy so far. Soooo, I have this fresh glass. I solicit opinions on whether to add more EZPoxy or go ahead and apply Jeffco again. I will be applying it late at night (I work evening shift and do not get to the hangar til about 11:30 pm), so much less heat and Houston humidity when it will be applied. Of course, I hope to prep the surface properly....of course I thought I had before. I already have the new Jeffco $430.00 later. I may need more EZPoxy and its associated hazmat fee. I read a few post from folks who have stated they have used nothing but EZpoxy in their tanks for years and have been using autogas with ethanal. I am using autogas with my rotary. I origianly used the Jeffco since I was looking at a diesel as well as the autogas option. Jeffco may in NO WAY have been the problem. I have spoken with NASA engineer types and shown them my failure and I have sent samples of the failure to Velocity. However, as of right now nothing is conclusive about the failure

Thanks, I will certainly have that song still stuck in my head when I hit the airport tonight after work to work on my "most of the Jeffco ground off, getting ready for new glass strakes. All the best, Chris

Hey hey HEY!!!! My nickname in my fraternity was Biff. In the scope of Sigma Chi nicknames at Texas State Biff wasn't too bad since we also had a Flounder, Booger and Wingnut (he had big ears). Ahh, I longed for the sophmoric humor of college....so I became a cop:D All the best, Biff...uh, Chris who doesn't get his money for nothin' and his chicks for free.

RGlos, not sure what you mean by getting to the back side of the strakes. I have had to cut into the tops and have removed some of the inner skins to the foam. Other parts, where I have more elbow room I have ground off the Jeffco. Where the Jeffco actually fell off in mass (the top of the right strake inner third) I have removed the inner skin. I feel this will eliminate any bad glass/contamination issues that I can not determine. Lynn, this is something I have wondered about. On the sections I am rebuilding, why not just lay the glass and use Jeffco instead of EZPoxy with Jeffco applied on top. My reason, so far, is the EZPoxy construction is what I know. I do not know any of the features of the Jeffco except it is the "accepted" sealer for "unusual" fuel. I originally used it more as a safegaurd to the future unknown AND that the idea of using the Deltahawk diesel was being toyed with. I figured at the time it was the safe route. I have since developed my rotary install and have been using fuel from the Shell station across from the airport wich does say it contains up to 10% ethanol. This is completely unscientific, but I do not think that the fuel or the Jeffco is the culprit. I can only imagine the sufaces got contaminated somehow in my garage way back when. Who knows, maybe some dryer lent got kicked up in the air (my washer/dryer are in the garage). I do take some solace that my build helper, David Staten reminded me that he was there for my strake builds and he is certain about me not being a complete incompetant for this process. Velocity, Inc stated, and this seems about as reasonable as anything else, that perhaps there were a couple of minor pin holes in the Jeffco that allowed the fuel to outgas and get BEHIND the Jeffco and between the Jeffco and underlying glass. The glass on the strakes was prefab from the factory and I did NOT do anything to it other than prep sand and clean with denatured alchohol(DA). It has been mentioned that DA may contain some contaminants unique to each brand. The only other potential source I can think of is the duct tape I applied when I did my "false" bonding of the strake top to the strake (in which I then popped off, twice, to get a good fit). I am concerned/frustrated that a reason is not readily apparant and here I go getting ready to do it all over again. All I can do is be a certain as I know how to be that the work is completed in as mindful a manner as I can muster. Something failed. I am not wise enough to know exactly how to determine what. I have had many folks speculate, as have I, but no clear answer has been presented. Also, in my "investigation" there seems to be a lack of consistancy. I had a major delamination in one part of the strake but only a couple of chipping type failures in other areas with another moderate flaking in the left strake. Most of these areas were done at different times, thus I fell is is unlikely I did the same mistake repeatidly. Heck, while almost unavoidable here in Houston, maybe it was the humidity..... Thanks for all the continued input and suggestions. If y'all have any words of wisdom as to prep for this go round, feel free to share. All the best, Chris Full disclosure of the build including the mess ups is tribute to the fine example provided by the likes of men like John Slade. Build on.

Yes, I have tried blasting against the Jeffco and it was ineffective. The grinding/sanding is much quicker and more manigiable. The aluminum oxide barely made a dent after direct exposure to the blast stream. Now, that being said, I will blast the glass after the grinding off the Jeffco to prep the surface and hopefully get any minor amounts of Jeffco left in the weave before I lay new glass. My new EZPoxy, Bid and Jeffco arrived a couple of days ago....$604.00 later:sad: Monty, THANKS, I needed the laugh and a fix to my Trek addiction. Hailing frequencies open..... All the best, Chris