Gents-

I purchased a carbon fiber stab tube from Troy Built Models for my old 28% Extra that im in the process of redoing and when I test fit the tube its too long? Did I order the wrong part? I had one before from them but lost it when I moved earlier this year and now I figured this replacement should be just fine but its not.

Is it safe to cut these carbon tubes to length? How long is it supposed to be?

thanks

Have one myself, now on second WH. Yes it will be too long as shipped. Cut it to match your aluminum tube with dremel cutoff wheel. Just dont breath in the dust per the warnings on the TBM site.

Most of the after market c/f tubes are made to shipping specific lengths, not to that needed for a given plane. Cutting a carbon tube is pretty easy and a common practice. I prefer using a Demel with a fiber cut off wheel while cutting without using a lot of pressure on the tube.

The neede tube length is something I'm not sure of but placing the tube into each stab half and using a pencil to mark the depth will give you the amount needed for the stbs. Adding for the fuselage section will give the rest. Or just slide the tube in the aft fuse and gently slide the stabs on the tube. When they won't go any further measure the amount of tube still exposed to see that needs to be cut off. The reason I sy gently install is because if you try to force the stab farther than it should go you can damage the inside of the stab.

Wear eye protection every time you use a cut off wheel, but even more importantly (if that's possible) especially when cutting composite materials. I don't even like getting the stuff on my skin. The cutting dust is micro fine and gets in anywhere while not liking to come out later.

Use masking tape on the cut location this helps with the dust some, I also get a helper with the shop vac to vacuum away the dust and such as I cut.

I bought 2 CF tail tubes for my 33% and cut them both no big deal.