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Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter

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lwinger

Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Location: Tustin, CA

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:37 am Post subject: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter

With the importance of properly tensioned control cables, would there be any interest in a "floating" aircraft cable tension meter? The expense of nearly $800 makes it hard to justify for one builder with one plane. 



It seems like two options could work. 



Option A: Shared purchase/unlimited future use for the cost of one-way shipping to the next user (by a group of at least 16 builders chipping in $50) 

Option B: Rental at $xx (plus one-way shipping to the next user) with one builder buying and owning the unit. 



Any interest out there? If so, please reply with the option that you might be interested in. If I get at least 16 "Option A" responses, I'll pick one up ASAP. 



BTW, I know there are other ways to calibrate our cables. This is just to investigate how to make a purpose-built quality tool available to the broader group. I've attached the instructions for the Tensitron ACM-100 from Aircraft Spruce. 



Thanks.

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Tensitron instructions.pdf

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Instructions for Tensitron ACM-100

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_________________
Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair
Installing fuel system
www.mykitlog.com/lwinger

larry(at)macsmachine.com
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:02 am Post subject: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter

Larry,

It's probably easier to make one and check the calibration yourself.  

It's needed for annuals anyway.  I built one that

is real simple and have used it off and on for 4 years.  I've made a few 

too and sent them, but shipping one

constantly would seem to be more trouble than making one.



See link, http://www.macsmachine.com/html/tjhcabletools.htm

It's not too difficult to make.  Use .060 aluminum, a light spring, 

plastic cable pulley wheels. Arrange the wheels so that the pivot

is positioned to put the bottom of  the center pulley is aligned with 

the top of the outside pulleys when the spring is slightly tensioned

and calibrate with actual weights, then mark the loads in pounds, 10, 

15, 20, 25 etc.

I believe I have a drawing on this thing somewhere and will post it if I 

can.



Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com



lwinger wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 With the importance of properly tensioned control cables, would there be any interest in a "floating" aircraft cable tension meter? The expense of nearly $800 makes it hard to justify for one builder with one plane. 



 It seems like two options could work. 



 Option A: Shared purchase/unlimited future use for the cost of one-way shipping to the next user (by a group of at least 16 builders chipping in $50) 

 Option B: Rental at $xx (plus one-way shipping to the next user) with one builder buying and owning the unit. 



 Any interest out there? If so, please reply with the option that you might be interested in. If I get at least 16 "Option A" responses, I'll pick one up ASAP. 



 BTW, I know there are other ways to calibrate our cables. This is just to investigate how to make a purpose-built quality tool available to the broader group. I've attached the instructions for the Tensitron ACM-100 from Aircraft Spruce. 



 Thanks.



 --------

 Larry Winger

 Tustin, CA

 Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair

 Control surfaces and wings complete

 Fuselage 50%

 www.mykitlog.com/lwinger

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lwinger

Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Location: Tustin, CA

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:20 am Post subject: Re: Tool sharing -- aircraft cable tension meter

Larry, I had forgotten the details of your cable tension tool.  Very ingenious.  Thanks for making those plans available.  



I think I'll still hold the door open for other builders who might like to go the other route.  If there are no takers, no harm...no foul.

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_________________
Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair
Installing fuel system
www.mykitlog.com/lwinger

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