Snow Day

The weather around here was such that I did not want to make the 40 mile trip into work and then get stuck there.

So I had a chance to work on the airplane.  With one hold up.  The flow gauge on the regulator for the TIG would not budge.  In fact, my first attempt at welding almost ruined the piece because there was no gas.

I can hear some of you now.  "Serves you right buying that Chinese junk".  Well, have your laugh.  Eastwood is convinced it is the regulator.  And I challenge you to buy a regulator from ANYBODY, that isn't made in China.  The upshot, Eastwood is sending me a new regulator AND a new gas solenoid valve, "just in case".  Free of wampum!  Now that is customer service.

I improved the day by completing all the components for the first aileron hinge.  It is a lot of work, and there are a total of six of hinges.

Here are the components:

The main component (the tube) is not yet finished. The bushing near the end needs to be welded and then filed/ground down to 3/4" wide.  That won't happen until the new regulator gets here.  The end of the tube nearest the bushing needs to be trimmed and rounded.  These two items were left long to make the welding easier.

This represents about six hours of work.  I am hoping that having one hinge under my belt will speed the fabrication of the next five.