skaliwag

My Feedback: (1)

I get my Maple from a Cabinet Shop.. It's free from the scrap pile.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

I would make the beams 3/8 x 3/8 rock maple and use #4 socket head sheetmetal screws to clamp the engine down.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Guys,
Progress here is slow and steady, don't expect any instant gratification with this project!! One of the major next steps is that I have to drill the mounting holes for the motor pod in the 1/4" ply parts. That means I have to drill a 4-40 clearance hole 1 1/4" deep through a 1/4 x 1/4 plywood square. I was pretty skeptical about this operation, I didn't expect it to be successful. So I hunted down a drill press on crags list and bought it for $50. I tested a sample piece today with excellent results! I'll try a actual part tomorrow!
RP

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Hello All,
Well the drill press worked pretty well. I got that part of the project done. Just want to drill the engine mounting holes and mount my Tee nuts. Still waiting for my fan adapter from the shops. I checked in last week, but the guy is on vacation. Hopefully this week he will be able to get to it!
RP

Rubbernecker

My Feedback: (22)

I thought you had given up on it! Keep dragging your feet, because once you fly it and tell us how cool it is, I will want one and I have too many other projects going on................

John

juanjulian

My Feedback: (9)

Found this taday, to increase your colector rk .049 fans.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1568211

Looks complete,

Cheers,

Juan

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks!
However, I just purchased one off of E-bay for $40.00.... I know, just what I need to do. Spend more money on this project. But I have been seeing them go for $65 - $80 so I think I got it at a real reasonable price. I really kind of just wanted the full size plans. I may just scan it, copy the instructions, fondle the parts a bit and then resell it. I should have it in a day or two so I will post pictures.

Of course there is always the case where my motor might not work, maybe I can fall back on this? I was working on the motor mount some more last night (part that scews into the DF unit) and man I have never worked on something so intricate and delicate out of ply before. I didn't break anything but I'd have been much happier if it were more solid. Of course there is the weight trade off and this is only a .090. Not a gasser.

I installed the Tee nuts last night, and of course I ran out of them. [:@] gotta wait on another order from Tower to continue....

RP

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

John,
I just completed a Spirt 100 sailplane I started 4 years ago. I told you I don't work too fast LOL. I won't take that long with this, but if I don't report back that I quit on the endevor then just assume I am trodding along
Rick

Rubbernecker

My Feedback: (22)

Cool. Looks like you fly everything as well. I have numerous sailplanes. Mostly 1.5 meter. Have an Aquila in kit form. PIA to set up the winch. The 1.5 stuff uses a little zip launch. Also fly ucontrol as well. If it flys, I do it except helo's.

John

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Got my RK-049 yeasterday! Well, if nothing else at least I have the full size plans and full instruction set I can use. This was something I was lacking. I have the ability to do a full size scan of the drawing and I intend on copying all of this material. Not sure if I will use the kit or not, if not I'll sell it again on E-bay. I'm pretty sure I can at the least get my money back.

Some extra parts in here too that don't belong to the kit. Maybe you guys can have a look and let me know if I have anything good here.

Thanks!
RP

PS, had to place an order for more 4-40 tee nuts from Tower, so I'll have to wait a couple of days to continue. Also ordered some fuel proof and paint for the motor assembly.

Rubbernecker

My Feedback: (22)

Not sure about the check, but the rest of the stuff is a must for high performance if the NV assembly is 128 turns per inch. Last time I tried, I could get 22,500 out of my Tee Dee .051 before the piston crown and skirt seperated after about 2 hours of run time. High perfomance will be a must for the DF. Good luck!

John

skaliwag

My Feedback: (1)

From my 1991 Ace Catalog.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

The fact you have a 1991 catalog is amazing! Thanks!

John, Can I get the same NV assembly for an .090?

Rick

Rubbernecker

My Feedback: (22)

I don't know about that. All my dealings have been with 049 and 051's. I know on those, it is almost impossible to get a good needle setting w/o the hp needle. Factory ones are too coarse.

John

fit90

If you decide to use the pressure tapped backplate then some people like to put the check valve between the backplate and the fuel tank. This keeps the crank case from flooding when fueling, especially if you do not have access to the line from the backplate to the tank.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Is there any advantage to using the pressure tap on the backplate rather than the one on the crankshaft collar under the venturi?
RP

fit90

The tap on the plastic venturi body is supposedly the best method, something to do with it being timed to crankshaft rotation,timing I think.  The backplate tap is just simple.  It stays on better without modification and the pressure nipple is not so fragile.  Plumbing depends on your set up.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

I don't know about the .09, but the plastic tap on the side of the .049 doesn't work as well as a backplate tap. The backplate tap works really well.
I would use a latex bladder for this project. The bladder just needs a fuel proof balsa compartment to sit in and it can be located anywhere on the plane without any significant head pressure effects.
You need instant access to the fuel line to pinch it and a new bladder should be used each day.

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Hello Guys,
No this is not dead yet. I just went through a ton of personal stuff. I've been flying my gas airplanes so I've been keeping my feet wet, but I moved into a new apartment, set up a new shop and this is back on the bench. I need some ply formers cut which I have modified so waiting on that. I may just cut them out the old fashioned way - we will see.

Plus I have the RK-049 kit. I figure what the heck I might as well build it now. I need a NIB Tee Dee 049. I think I can score them on Ebay for $65 good or no?
Rick

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Hey Guys,
I guess I am on again with this project now. Fooling around with it a couple of min per night. I purchased a NIB .049 for the RK-049 so I started building it as well. I know I sould focus on one at a time, but what the heck. Immediate plans are to build the RK-049 fan and finish what I have been calling my RPK-709. My own .090 version of the fan. I got the adapter made for the fan I want to use on the .090 so that can resume. I also built the tail pipe with the help from John. Thanks John! I will need the tail pipe and inlet for to run the motors to see what I get for thrust. I guess I can start on the inlet now in conjunction with my two fan motors.
When / if I have success with the motors - I'll pick the most powerful / reliable one and then start the airplane build. For now enjoy the pics
RickP

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Tail Pipe Photos:

Rubbernecker

My Feedback: (22)

Hey, they are some good looking formers! Glad they worked for you. Keep plugging along. I'm still interested but just can't bring myself to build during flying season. Haven't worked on anything in about 2 months except some cad stuff for future builds. [&o]

John

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Here is some work done on the RK-049 Fan

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

Guys,
What can I use for a glow plug clip on this project? What do you guys like to use?
Thanks
Rick

RickP

My Feedback: (2)

If you can believe it I picked this project back up again. Flying has been going well with the other stuff so I have some time back in the Hobby Room - plus it is going to start getting too cold in the garage.

I have the RK-049 about 75% done.

Along side it I am building my .090 and it's probably 60% done. I'll snap some pictures tonight.

Immediate goal is to get these things running on the bench and see if its worth continuing or not...

RP