Howdy all, Well I just got my hands on a workspace. Now I'd like to start working on an airplane. I'm pretty well settled on the KR-1.
I have a few questions. First, I'd like to find the materials locally. How do I Identify spruce? What are the particular characteristics I am looking for in the wood I buy for my stringers and spar caps? As I recall I'm looking for a specific straightness of grain. No knots at all. I've been calling the local lumber yards. One said his stud supply is a random collection of spruce, fir, and pine. (his words... I know spruce is a pine tree ;-) ) I'm willing to put up the effort to sort through a pile of wood to find proper spar and stringer material, I just need to know what I'm looking for. He also said he could order birch ply. (I've never needed to order more than model airplane amounts or sizes...) Is 90 degree plywood ok for the fuselage and spar sides? Or do I need to find 45 degree plywood? would it be acceptable to cut 90 degree plywood on the bias and scarf the bits to provide the 45 degree plywood? What's the usual replacement for the design fabric. Looking around it seems that the particular dupont fabric has been out of production. Is 6oz fiberglass the proper replacement? What else should I know? What isn't in the plans that you wish someone had told you? Okey, enough of questions. Here's a little about me: I"m working on my pilots license. I have the money to fly rental planes. My whole family has been a bunch of pilots. (mom, grandmother, both grandfathers, dad... And all but my mom had twin, and IFR ratings.) I've been building and flying radio control airplanes since 1992, ish. Mostly gliders, but more recently some powered things. I've worked with cubic feet of balsa, lots of foam, and a good bit of fiberglass. I love building things. And rebuilding things. I've rebuilt a few old motorcycles, so I'm familiar with how to deal with carbs, and the guts and cooling of air cooled engines. (I have a thing for suzuki GS's) Well, thanks for your time, and I'll appreciate any replies. Greg "Nerobro" Teiber.
