Dave's XL F-71

[ArcticDave]

Plans arrived Friday and I started clearing a spot for my workbench this morning.
Not much of a start, but it's a start.
 
Couple of questions for you guys,
Are there colors that are considered bad luck for aircraft? I'm not overly superstitious but was curious none the less. 
Also, you guys that bought and had all your long stock( tubes, spar caps, etc...) shipped to you, do remember the shipping cost?
 I live about a half a days drive from Aircraft Spruce in Corona and was considering the feasabilty of just picking up my supplies in person. 

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[Jim B]

Dave
I started my XL in June and have the wood work of the right wing complete but I still have to sand and varnish before I start the right wing.  It cost me $150 to ship all the wood (14 foot caps) from Atlanta to central Florida.
Good luck with your build
Jim

[ArcticDave]

Thanks for input Jim! Good luck with your XL too, looking forward to seeing it fly. 
Sounds like a road trip may be worth it, $120 for gas there and back might be a lot cheaper by the time all the 4130 is added in.

[Tom XL-7]

don't forget plywood. 8' lengths don't ship cheap. long stuff often gets damaged in shipping.  It doesn't even need to be long.
I picked mine up. They forgot to give me one package. 8 mm plywood. so it came ups. hole all the waythru the box. They delivered it anyway thinking the furring strip protectors was the product  and that paper thin ply was a protector. Corner of a box right through it.  Have some extra now.
tom xl-7

[ArcticDave]

Tom, you bring up a good point. Shipping damage happens...frequently. Having to send something back and wait for a return shipment can eat up a lot of time and money. 
Thanks for the input both of you. It helped 👍

[ArcticDave]

Making slow progress over here in Arizona. Cooler weather is back and the shop is almost finished. 
I managed to score a torch and bottle set a couple of days ago for $300. 
Smith Airline with cutting head, rosebud and 5 welding tips. The gentleman I bought it from said he had purchased it originally in 1970!
It was just refurbushed 3 months ago and looks beautiful. Also included was a newly redone victor 100 set, about 75' of hose, and bottles with a cart. Bottles are about half full. I think I got a pretty good deal. There is a reciept for almost $150 for the refurbishing in the paperwork. 
While slow it is great to be making progress of some sort!

[John Reinking]

Drive.   Shipping costs for the full length components are amazing!

[ArcticDave]

Hi John, 
I'm headed over to get my tubing and wheels next Thursday... Lord willin and the creek don't rise! 

Dave

[ArcticDave]

Well...I managed to find my way over to Aircraft Spruce. It was a hard battle as California traffic sucks! 
Honestly had a pretty uneventful trip. Folks at ACS were friendly, not a whole lot of goodies in their showroom, but they did have an old Kitfox hanging from the ceiling. 

Happily back in Arizona this morning with a cardboard tube full of 4130 sitting on the floor.
Time to finish the shop and workbench :-)

[JTMaze]

Unfortunately I drive close to Aircraft Spruce about twice a month with an 18' enclosed trailer. Next time you need something let me know. Sure a lot easier to drive to the Imperial Valley than Corona!!!

[ArcticDave]

Thanks for the offer! I may take you up on it if you're not careful. Always wanted an excuse to check out the dunes and meeting another builder would icing on the cake.  👍
Probably be 2-3 months before savings allow another bulk purchase. 

Dave

[JTMaze]

No problem at all........come on by.

[ArcticDave]

I had a friend over several days ago helping me in the shop and we got to talking about the plane. He asked about what I was going to do for a fuel tank, I told him I wanted a fuselage tank, but the only location available is in the front(if you want gravity feed.) He suggested widening the upper cabin area and install a tank there. CG wouldn't be effected by fuel level. Other than weight... is there a structural/safety reason for not doing so?

Attached is a crappy line drawing from Sketchup of the idea. The A & B crosstubes could be used as the wing mounts if positioned correctly.


 

No problem at all........come on by.

Thank you!

[scottiniowa]

looks like you understand the weight thing, (and the limit is already close)  you have to make sure the tube between the front wing attach points can handle the compression. If you get both accomplished, then fantastic and please do tell the group, where you cut the weight in order to add it here. I'm guessing most would be interested.

[Dave Stroud]

I am still thinking of making my cabin top wider...maybe even full width which would make it a " cabin XL " I guess. The web says  .625"  .049 wall 4130 tube 72" long weighs about 1.8 lbs from what I've seen. Extra welds would add more. Scott makes a good point about compression but an N3 Pup and the J3 kitten seem to manage with small tubes in that area.