ScaleRCpilot

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I am changing my inverted Saito 180 to a horizonal position. I need an Aluminum block 3/4 inch thick and 3.5 inches tall by 4.5 inches wide.
This will be my new convertor plate between the engine mounts and the firewall. Anyone know where I might look? I have tried a few Metal and steel sales places and have had no luck. Im in the Houston area if you might work at a machine shop and have a piece. Send me a message here on RCU. Thanks! FYI....The reason why I don't use wood is that it needs a little weight up front.

Dyna-flite Decathlon 90in WS check it out in my gallery!

scale only 4 me

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Maybe stack thinner pieces,, I've done that many time to get to the right thickness,, good luck

Villa

Making the spacer from plywood may be enough added weight. You can still drive a few steel screws into the wood as needed for the CG balance.

jaka

Hi!
Aluminium ???
Why use that when you can use plywood that is much easier to shape,drill and hollow out! Airplane quality plywood is ready obtainable in 12mm sheets.
You only need material where the back plate touches the firewall, so hollow out the (drill and use a drumsander in the Dremel) plywood plate once you have got the outher shape right (right shape is so it follows the contour of the aluminum motormount).

Gray Beard

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Most any scrap metal place has a huge selection and sells by weight.

ScaleRCpilot

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Thanks All for the suggestions! I'm wanting to use Aluminum for several reasons -
1. It has a useful weight that my plane needs.
2. It will not become fuel soaked over time.
3. Aluminum can be polished for that custom look.

I think Gray Beard may have answered my question - I never thought about a scrap yard - Bingo!
Thanks again everyone! I will let you know if the scrap yard has what I need!

Luft-Gangster

try onlinemetals.com

foodstick

This will make you laugh, but how many times have you seen a big piece of exercise equipment sitting around that someone wanted gone? I actually picked up this cheesy rowing machine off a curb that had two big aluminum boxes built along the sides for strength. A friend and I have made so many rc goodies out of it I laugh thinking of it. So keep your eyes open out there !

Rudolph Hart

And don't forget old portable bbq's too!

aspeed

There must be a place near you that sells aluminum. I lived in a small city of 200,000 and there were a few places. Metal Supermarket comes to mind. They are in every major centre around here. It is a different country though.

bob62

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Try a glass shop that installs metal doors

GREG DOE

Scale RC Pilot, Since they made all the improvements to the site I can't figure out how to PM someone, so I'll just ask my question here, and hope that you see it? Did you find a piece of aluminum for your project. I saw some today at a local re-cycling/scrap business that should work. $1.50 a pound. Let me know if you still need it? Greg

ScaleRCpilot

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Wow, I never thought I would get so much response - you guys are great!

First I want to thank the following for such great ideas and places to look.
Gray Beard, Luft-Gangster, foodstick, Old Fart, aspeed, bob52, GREG DOE you guys rock!

I did as Gray Beard suggested (recycle metals place) and found some 1/4inch thick Aluminum plate. Looks to be T6 plate.
This got me to rethink the engineering instead of using 3/4inch - just use the 1/4inch and use 1/2inch Aluminum stand offs
that will get my engine out enough to put the spinner plate where it needs to be.
Again Thanks to all and Hope you all have a Very Happy New year!
P.S. I will see about uploading a pic as I progress.

Gray Beard

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Back in the day my wife and I used to go junk and scrap yarding on weekends looking for STUFF we could use on our antique truck and sand buggy's. I even found braided stainless steel pressure lines and really thick aluminum blocks. The need for nose weight and using plate for the stand off was a good idea. You can find nice aluminum stand offs from places like Chief hobbies. I make mine from wood dowels and just cut to size.

ScaleRCpilot

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As promised here is my 1/4in plate that I purchased for $5 from a metal scape yard. I think this is T6 Alumium.
Looks like someone tried to cut out a kick stand, I will use the clean area at the top.
Happy New Year!

Gray Beard

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Too funny!! I had some kids in my shop that wouldn't believe me when I told them they couldn't arc weld there MC clutch handle, I let them give it a try though.

ScaleRCpilot

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I thought I would post an update on my project engine converter plate. I was lucky to receive some help from a brother club member who also had a machine shop in his garage. He took that T-6 Aluminum and cut, milled and drilled the plate into what I needed. Here is what it looks like...
Special Thanks to my friend Tas! Looks Great!

ScaleRCpilot

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Here the plate is installed with the Saito 180 on a Dyna-Flite 89in Decathlon. It fit perfect and with some adjustment of the motor on the mount put the prop hub right where it was when the engine was inverted. Sorry for the double picture I was having some technical problems. Thanks to All!