ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

Hi everyone. My V-max build has began! I received the V-max from Dave a couple weeks ago. I am building the version with a convertible canopy! (It gets cold here in New England. Along with the build is a weight loss program so I can fit in it when I am done. I used to weigh 569 pounds! My dream to fly has motivated me!  I now weigh 368. My goal over the next two years is to complete my Max and loose one hundred pounds! So every once in a while along with the build pics you will most likely get a weight loss update !
Brian

I plan ov building a v-max swell except in a high wing configuration. Good luck can't wait to see the updates!

Good luck on both goals

You Can Do It Brian !!

Congratulations Brian! You are already an inspiration!

Definitely keep us posted along the way. We will share in your excitement, and help lift your spirits when you're not so excited.

-Sean

What diet you usin?
I need to shed a few myself!

go Brian go....both you and your max will love the new Brian

monte

Great goals, Brian. This will be a double success story. We'll all be celebrating with you as your build continues, and you make progress on your health goals.

Lynn

Thanks for all the support!  Puff I had tried every diet! Finally success came down to two simple concepts. One: Calories! It's all math! Eat less calories than your body requires to maintain its weight. Two: exercise! Keep moving! Just walking is amazing! A few years and 210 pounds ago I couldn't walk to my car without being out if breAth! Now I walk and hike for miles. I had a local bicycle shop work with me and they built a heavy duty bike for me, weather permitting I bike 12-15 miles two three times a week!
Time to build. Hope to post some build pics later  !

my wife went thru the same situation. as you said loosing weight is simple math ( burn more calories than you take in ) but the attitude to do this is hard. keep up the good work.

monte  

Thanks for the inspiration Brian,

I'm going to dust off my bike, air up the tires and go for a ride. ...today

Looking forward to build pics!

Fritz

The now . Yes motivation is a big factor. My resolve was starting to falter. Now with the Max in the basement when my resolve weakens I go down and doc some work on it rather than snack' This is my other expensive hobby. These are turbine powered radio control jets. Capable of 200 mph speeds!

Now back to the Max. Here is the fin and rudder. Also started on the ribs. Will post pics of jig tomorrow

I ended up with a small gap on rudder post. It's about 3/32. It's on the rudder post. Do you guys think this is ok. It seems like most of the strength comes from the gussets. You can see its location on the prior post. Bottom left hand corner rudder

Oh and here is a quick before!

Quoted from bigbrixx1 I ended up with a small gap on rudder post. It's about 3/32. It's on the rudder post. Do you guys think this is ok. It seems like most of the strength comes from the gussets. You can see its location on the prior post. Bottom left hand corner rudder

Do you mean the gap filled with epoxy?  Nothing wrong with that.  That's the beauty of wood/epoxy construction.  Pieces don't need to fit together perfectly to get a perfectly sound assembly.  And yes, the gusset is doing the work there.

Yes that's exactly what I mean. Thanks for the input, the build continues!

Update! 3 pounds lost! 97 to go. The rib build continues. My first rib took 110 minutes. I took about 2 hours and mAde a rib kit. Now they take about 30 minutes! Time well spent! All the cups holding the parts are glued to the board to prevent a nasty spill. Also everything is lined up or marked for easy selection

Here is my jig. once the rib is glued and stapled. I remove rib. Clean up extra epoxy from jig and rib. I then put rib back and allow to dry over night!

once the rib is glued and stapled. I remove rib. Clean up extra epoxy from jig and rib. I then put rib back and allow to dry over night! Notice the jig above rib jig. I found soaking the ribs for a few hours the allowing them to dry pre-forms the upper stringers! I tried a couple staple removers! This one by far is the best. 18 dollars with free shipping from amazon!

bigbrixx1...now you're in the rhythm. When I was building ribs I also left them in the jig to cure overnight. You may already be thinking of doing something similar, but when I added the second set of gussets I used clamps (spring-type clothspins or binder clips) rather than staples. Saves a lot of time later with half as many staples to pull.

Also, congrats for being 3# closer to your flight weight goal.

Lynn

If you staple the second set of gussets on the rib removed from the jig, you'll find you don't have to return it to the jig and can get started on the next rib.  If you don't remove the staples you'll find you don't have to remove the staples.

Great hints!!!!!Thank you. Both!!!!I found removing the rib early allowed the top stringer, even when preformed to pull the bottom stringer up a bit. I am ok with one a day. I love the idea of clamps on the second set of gussets. Trying it out right now. Here is the staple remover

Great to hear your goal, I wish you well and you can do it, myself, smoked and drank too much, stopped cold the day I got my intro ride and received my himax starting kit.

You look well on your way my friend, thanks for sharing.

Chris

Ok cut out a few more parts for the wing! Used a band saw then finished them with a sander! Still working on the ribs! Now up to 11 done! One more pound of weight lost. 96 to go !!!! Tomorrow is turkey day. My Max should keep me on track!

Ok.... Some updates. I have 18 ribs built and counting, horizontal stabilizers vertical fin and rudder done. Got some of the wing parts cut out.

Lost total of of 10 pounds! 90 to go!!

I found stacking the rib gusset material tracing theming the top stack . Then cutting them out 10 at a time saved a LOT of tedious work! I keep a pair of scissors around to cut the material if needed for a perfect fit!

Starting to cut metal pieces also. First I trace piece on see through plastic binders. Then I past them to the raw stock using 3M spray contact adhesive! Works great, template peals off and residue   clears off with acetone! I dress up ends with a file. Then clean up everything with 400 emery cloth !

Looks like your doing an excellent job on both the metal and wood parts. I think being a model builder helps a person realize the importance of of quality work. Keep it up!
Dick