Commander RC Float Attachment
 

Hello, I am in the process of attaching my floats to my quarter scale Cub. I have completed the spreaders and am ready to tackle the N struts. I would like to see any and all ideas on the attachment of the struts. I understand the directions, but would like to see if there are any better ways. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Connector
 

Greg H,

I read your post several days ago, but didn't answer until now because I don't have the means to post drawings or pictures (maybe someday?). However, because no one answered you, I thought I'd try to explain what I did.

I machined special connectors out of aluminum that work as a connection link between the Sea Commander brackets and the 'N'-Struts. I don't know how to describe them other than they are 'U'-shaped on the bottom which slips down over the top of the brackets, with the 4-40 m.b. closest to the float going through it. The top half is also 'U'-shaped, but 90-degrees to the bottom "U". The 'N'-Strut inside aluminum piece is bolted to this "U". The difference between the two front connectors and the two rear connectors is that the upper "U" of the rear one is twice as long to allow TWO struts to be bolted to it.

It sounds a lot more complicated than it is! However, the problem is that I have a milling machine and was able to make these. Do you have access to a machine? If you do, email me your address and I'll mail you a hand drawing. If you don't have access to a machine and you don't want to do it per the Sea Commander drawings, let me know. I could turn out a set for you without the bolt holes, which you could do yourself.

Roger
[email protected]

float attachment
 

Roger,
sounds like you did something similar to what I did to mine. Is this the same as yours?

Bud

Connector
 

Hi Bud,

Mine is the same principle except I didn't use an offset wishbone connection at the top. I milled a straight through U-shaped cut in my connector which the aluminum bar stock (inside the N-Strut as provided by Sea Commander) slips into and is through-bolted to.

As I mentioned on another thread,... You did a real fine job there without having a machine shop.

Roger

Commander RC Float Attachment
 

Hello Roger and Bud,

Bud, Thank you again for all of the pictures and information. Roger, thank you very much for the offer. I think I have it figured out. I am actually going to use the tabs from the brackets that attach to the floats. Thet will be hidden by the tubing when it is done. The biggest pain I am having is cutting slots into the bar stock pieces so that they will fit the 1/8 aluminum attachments to the bottom of the fuse. Any good ideas for cutting the slots? I will post some pics when I am further along. Thanks again.

Slotting
 

Hi Greg,

For the 1/8" slotting of the bar stock I used an 1/8" end mill. If you have a sturdy drill press, it should be okay on aluminum. You just have to hold it in a drill press vice and slide the whole thing forward. Be very careful, the end mill will cut fingers very quickly (it's nothing like bumping into a drill bit)!! Purchase a "center cutting" 1/8" end mill (with a 3/8" shank and 1/2" flute length) and try plunging it in like drilling a series of holes, then slide it along clearing out the slot. Attach some sort of guide fence to the drill table for straight work. Cut slowly so it doesn't grab the work.

Roger

((Make that a 4-flute end mill. It will be easier to control the cut))

float attachment
 

Hi Roger,
I'd forgotten about that other thread...another senior moment I guess. Still have to finish that other float if I can find it, must be around here somewhere. :confused:

Bud Faulkner
 

"....still have to finish that other float if I can find it, must be around here somewhere."

Try looking under the airplane!!! :D :D :D

Roger

Commander RC Float Attachment
 

OH YEAH!! :stupid: