CF Prop and gear repair, can it be done?
05-18-2005, 09:14 PM
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CF Prop and gear repair, can it be done?
Check out the pics and tell me if there is a fix.
By the way this gear buckeled on takeoff and broke the prop.
Thanks,
Andrew
By the way this gear buckeled on takeoff and broke the prop.
Thanks,
Andrew
05-19-2005, 03:43 AM
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RE: CF Prop and gear repair, can it be done?
My opinion:
Landing gear: Apart from returning it to the supplier for a warranty replacement, as it should not break during a normal(?) take-off, it can be repaired.
I would try to re-align the fibre as well as possible, and apply a generous measure of THIN cyanoacrylate to hold it all together. When this is properly dryed, sand the surface to remove the shine, and apply/wrap carbon cloth around the gear, overlapping 1-2" either side of the broken location. (Maybe do the other gear leg at the same time, to strengthen it before it breaks too?) Putting it into a vacuum bag would help greatly, but should not be strictly necessary.
Propeller: For safety reasons, put it in the bin, buy a new one.
Magne
Landing gear: Apart from returning it to the supplier for a warranty replacement, as it should not break during a normal(?) take-off, it can be repaired.
I would try to re-align the fibre as well as possible, and apply a generous measure of THIN cyanoacrylate to hold it all together. When this is properly dryed, sand the surface to remove the shine, and apply/wrap carbon cloth around the gear, overlapping 1-2" either side of the broken location. (Maybe do the other gear leg at the same time, to strengthen it before it breaks too?) Putting it into a vacuum bag would help greatly, but should not be strictly necessary.
Propeller: For safety reasons, put it in the bin, buy a new one.
Magne
05-19-2005, 10:37 AM
#3
RE: CF Prop and gear repair, can it be done?
Nope, can't fix that. You could shorten the prop and re-shape the tip, but don't try to glue it. The end piece will be a projectile when it comes off and could hit someone and do some damage, or if it comes apart in the air, the plane will shake apart before you ever have time to shut the engine down. I had a blade take a tip off on take off once and it ripped the head of the engine in half.
06-08-2005, 03:33 PM
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RE: CF Prop and gear repair, can it be done?
I know this doesnt answer your immediate question, but you may wish to consider fabricating your own CF gear. I have never worked with composites before but with about $70 in supplies I was able to fab my first 3 pairs of gear as well as CF plate material, with alot left over. This may be an alternative to "store bought" gear if you want to outfit multiple planes, plus make your own custom parts. Regarding your gear damage above, I would either return for refund or replacement. You could repair but if the delamination was a problem with the fab process you may have other failures in the gear after the repair.
