impulse09

My Feedback: (3)

What is the best method to brace a standard two-piece set of main gear? I was thinking of some sort of rod running from the axle lock nut to a mounting bolt on the opposite side X2, like the red lines in the picture. Or maybe something with springs?

Campgems

The stouter you make the landing gear, the more likely you are to rip out the landing gear mounting from the fuselage on a hard landing.

Don

curtrc

True as that may be, that isn't really a helpful response. Iam interested in this too for my Pitts scratch-build. The gear is too springy and I am considering some wires.

impulse09

My Feedback: (3)

Stock gear is flexing due to the weight of the airframe.

Besides, I never have hard landings.

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

impulse, another way is to get a landing gear made from thicker stock. Try these guys. Dan.
http://tntlandinggear.com/

Boomerang1

Rigid bracing will snap in no time so you will need springs if you go that way.

I'd go with Dan's idea, new stiffer undercarriage, probably the quickest easiest, cheapest method. - John.

Live Wire

Like your drawing, Wire from wheel to wheel and from one mount bolt to the other with a rubberband or spring in the center like the J 3 CUB. It is more ridged ,but still has the bounce.

impulse09

My Feedback: (3)

I see that TNT has the gear that I need, the only question I have is whether the gear is stronger or similar to the stock gear. Do they improve upon the stock gear, or just offer replacements?

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

impulse, I have ordered several custom gears from them and each one has been perfect. If the one they already have is made from thicker stock, then try it. If not, go to their custom order sheet and fill in the dimensions you need from the gear you have. Choose the next higher aluminum thickness than the one you have. It should be good enough. By the way, how much does you plane weigh? Dan.

impulse09

My Feedback: (3)

15lbs dry.

Can TNT drill the gear out?

All Day Dan

My Feedback: (5)

impulse, use 3/16 inch aluminum at that weight. I mount my wheels and sometimes wheel pants to the gear with 1/4 inch bolts and the gear to the plane with 1/4 inch nylon bolts. You can see them in the attached image. I have no problem drilling the 1/4 inch diameter holes required with a 1/4 inch drill in a drill press. Ask the nice lady that answers the phone at TNT if they would do it. Dan.

impulse09

My Feedback: (3)

My stock gear is 1/8". I'll see how it holds up tomorrow.

Rotten40851

My Feedback: (2)

Why not take some flat stock aluminum straight across from strut to strut 1/3 up from the wheels. benda 45 degree angle on each side drill it out and bolt it on. I have done this on wire gear as well with a peice of 1/4 inch brass tubing flattened 1 inch on both sides, bent to match the angle of the gearand soldered on to the wire. It works very well. HTH

Lifer

My Feedback: (1)

Once you stiffen the gear, you might consider mounting with 1/4-20 nylon bolts, if you haven't done so already. Protect the structure just in case.

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

To add my ideas to the mix, take a look at a J-3 Cub gear. It's very similar to the diagram that you drew in Post #1. Just add some compliance (O-Rings, etc) and see what you have. An even simpler idea is from the Hangar 9 J-3 Cub 40 LG at:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...cub-40-HAN4005

It's not all that exotic but it does have some compliance just from the wire. For the record, that black cylinders are just plastic decoration to simulate the bungees.

Just adding my $.02

Bob

impulse09

My Feedback: (3)

I'll take all the cents I can get.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I have the Hobart Cub gear on my 1/5th Cub and they suspension works quite nice. You could use this gear as a guide and use "O" rings like Hobart does to provide the resistance.