I have bent 5/32 music wire to shape for landing gear for a 4*40 with
trycycle landing gear. The wire was stiff when bending but after bent
to shape it moves out of shape eaisly. I understand music wire is good
to use,is it good to use for landing gear? I fly on a grass field. I
thank you for a response.
Robbie and Laura Reynolds - 04 Apr 2004 16:43 GMT
> I have bent 5/32 music wire to shape for landing gear for a 4*40 with
> trycycle landing gear. The wire was stiff when bending but after bent
> to shape it moves out of shape eaisly. I understand music wire is good
> to use,is it good to use for landing gear? I fly on a grass field. I
> thank you for a response.
When you say music wire, are you talking about the shiny chrome wire
from China or are you talking about the stuff sold by K&S? When you
bent it did you use a torch, or did you bend it cold? Did you use just
one piece of wire per wheel, or did you use two wires coming together at
the axle?
If you used single strand legs and they are too long, it will easily
bend. I would think that using two pieces of wire per side would be
about right for 5/52 on this size airplane.
Dr1Driver - 05 Apr 2004 00:30 GMT
> The wire was stiff when bending but after bent
>to shape it moves out of shape eaisly.
If it's the dull-colored wire sold by K&S, it's true heat treated music wire.
If it's something you bought at Lowe's, no telling what it is. If you used
heat (propane torch) to bend it, you pulled the heat treat out of it. Contrary
to opinion here, you can NOT re-heat treat it in most home shop environments.
Get a new piece of wire, and bend it cold.
Dr.1 Driver
"There's a Hun in the sun!"
David AMA40795 / KC5UH - 05 Apr 2004 05:13 GMT
So, by your comment, I would NOT be wise to attempt to braze the LG
wires? Better to silver solder???
David
>> The wire was stiff when bending but after bent
>>to shape it moves out of shape eaisly.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Dr.1 Driver
>"There's a Hun in the sun!"
Dr1Driver - 05 Apr 2004 11:33 GMT
>So, by your comment, I would NOT be wise to attempt to braze the LG
>wires? Better to silver solder???
Right. Whichever method you use, do it quickly and try to confine the heat to
as small area of an area as possible. Unless you're proficient with a torch,
I'd let a welding shop do it. I got my Dr.1 gear spot-welded (total heat time
about 5 seconds) for $8 locally.
Dr.1 Driver
"There's a Hun in the sun!"
freeda - 05 Apr 2004 12:34 GMT
> >So, by your comment, I would NOT be wise to attempt to braze the LG
> >wires? Better to silver solder???
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Dr.1 Driver
> "There's a Hun in the sun!"
I find binding it with some very thin wire and then soldering works. The
heat needed to solder is much less so it doesn't ruin the 'hardening and
tempering of the steel'.
Dr1Driver - 05 Apr 2004 13:40 GMT
>I find binding it with some very thin wire and then soldering works.
Good method, too. Make sure you don't get gavlanized wire, solder won't stick
to the zinc plating. Whichever method you use, scuff the wire with sandpaper
so it's rough and shiny. For a job this large, I wouldn't use rosin core
solder. I'd use solid solder and plenty of flux.
Dr.1 Driver
"There's a Hun in the sun!"
freeda - 05 Apr 2004 13:59 GMT
> >I find binding it with some very thin wire and then soldering works.
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Dr.1 Driver
> "There's a Hun in the sun!"
I have found thin brass wire to be the best, also as well as sanding the
wire, clean it with a bit of surgical spirit. It is essential to get rid of
all traces of dirt and grease.
One thing I have found usefull are these little rubbery sanding blocks used
to clean PCB's/Vero prior to soldering. In the UK you can get them from
Maplins.
The main advantage of soldering is i) it requires little skill to get a good
result, ii) it is very cheap.