I bought a new band saw blade from a local vendor in the Brampton, ON area. They make blades to order ,so I purchased a 1/2" wide by 0.025" thick 14-16 variable pitch bi-metal blade. It seems to cut the 4130 plate fairly well but I’m having difficulting cutting tube. I think I’ll use a zip disk in a small angle grinder to cut the tube. My other thought for the tube is do put an abrasive disk in my power miter saw. In any case my bench sander works great to put the angle on the end of the tube. I cut out the two plates required for the elevator horn and I drilled the pilot holes in one. I also sanded the 20 degree angle into one end of a piece of tube. Working with the 4130 seems similar to working with the aluminum althought its a bit heavier and takes a little more force to get things cutting.
Drawings for Elevator Horn Weldment Parts
It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to work on the plane. I have ordered and received almost all of the 4130 steel for the weldments. Today I fired up AutoCAD and drew two of the parts required for the Elevator Horn Weldment; the Drive Plate and the Drive Arm. I don’t like the idea of cutting up my plans and while I could trace these parts I find it more interesting to draw them in AutoCAD and the plot out the templates. This is probably way more accurate than required but it works for me
Welding Preperation
In preperation for welding I have purchase some welding rod and am in the process of getting some new tips for our Oxy-Acetylene torch at work. I also need to order some new band saw blades to cut the 4130 steel. Hopefully, I’ll get these in about a weeks time and can finally get back at building.
Dave's Sonex Builders Log 