>What has been done with panel vibration? >If using wood panel is it necessary, or only with Aluminium ? > What have you used as dampeners? >Phillip Matheson ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I'm using a fiberglass panel but I made some VERY CHEAP shock mounts. I used 5 spruce blocks, each one approx 1 X 1.5 X 2 inch, that are epoxied to the bottom side of the forward deck. These mounting blocks are drilled, then taper drilled from each side with the small ends of the tapers meeting in the middle. I used rubber corks, cut them to extend just outside the wood blocks when inserted from each side, drilled them through the middle to accept #10 bolts. I used flathead, tapered bolts that go through the panel, through the rubber corks in the wood blocks, a wood washer on the back side and a nut. The result is the corks pull down into the block when the nut is screwed down. With the bolt running through the center of the cork, the panel is effectly mounted on 5 shock mounts. I probably have a picture I could e-mail to someone interested or ask someone to post it. The only problem I had was at about the 20 hour point. I was motoring along one day a 2500 feet, grinning from ear to ear, when I noticed hardware falling from behind the panel. After landing I found I had forgotten to replace the temparary castle nuts with locknuts. Like they say, out of sight, out of mind, . Fortunatly it wasn't a life threatning mistake and the correct hardware was easily installed. building hint: I used 8 layer of KR cloth to lay up my panel. It turned out to be a little thin and needed some bracing. I'd go 12 or 14 layers if I were doing it again and still add a small piece of spruce on the bottom back side. As always, your results may vary...... Larry Flesner
