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Old 10-23-2007, 09:13 AM
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vmsguy
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Default How to bend wire landing gear...

Hello all,

I was at the airfield Saturday, my plane landed safely, and as it rolled out the nose gear broke.

The nose gear on my bird is your typical bent wire:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXD844&P=7

I cut the top to length, and put a 90 degree bend at the bottom where I wanted the wheel.

The break happened right at the bend. I suspected metal fatigue.

I stopped at the LHS yesterday and bought two more. (All they had on hand.) My idea was to re-cut/bend the new ones so I had a replacement and a spare.

On one of them, the wire broke right at the bend, as I was bending it. I know there are axles that slide on the length, and a screw hold them in place. But I always wonder if that type of axle will work it's way loose, and be more trouble than it's worth.

Again, I believe there's trick to bending this material correctly.

I want to apply heat, but I am afraid I'll ruin the metal's temper.

Thoughts?


TIA

Lyndon