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Post by raceair on Sept 12, 2011 12:53:00 GMT -5
Kevin....I used to offer pre-welds for the Sonerai 2. I have also built a few Sonerai 1 fuselages....I am 'currently' not doing any of that, as I am working 2000 miles from the home shop, for possibly the next 9 months.
If You are willing to build the wings, perhaps you should think about learning to weld, and tackling the fuselage. You could save several thousand dollars....
Another option is to buy a project. They become available from time to time, for less than the materials cost!!.....Ed
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Post by schines on Sept 12, 2011 19:56:44 GMT -5
Hi Kevin,
I just want to encourage you to think about building your own fuselage. I am working on a fuse now and I assure you, I am no welder! I bought a torch kit and practiced for a few weeks until I could make descent (but ugly) welds. I tested my work to destruction and found them to be solid enough to trust my life to. It is kind of fun now and I will be proud to say it is all my work. Also, a few years back there was a company that would professionally weld up a fuse for you. The price-$10,000! Just my 2 cents.
Scott
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Post by n3480h on Sept 12, 2011 21:36:16 GMT -5
Add my vote for learning to weld and building your own. You most certainly will save several thousand dollars and you will have a new and useful skill. I suspect the reason the professionals have to charge so much is to cover the long term liability insurance. For a fraction of that cost you can learn to be a competant welder and build it yourself. For the record, I bought a project with the basic box frame, "welded by an A&P". Then I learned to OA weld (with a lot of destructive testing on practice welds). I ground out and re-welded several cold welds and finished a few that were just plain missing. I understand that is a fairly common situation.
Tom
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Post by o2koold on Sept 12, 2011 22:26:51 GMT -5
I would agree with Tom on this. I really enjoyed welding the fuselage. It is a practical skill that you will keep using. Today I cut apart a bungee replacement tool I made and re-welded it to better fit the space for the Cygnet.
Start out with a cheap Harbor Freight kit and rental tanks with a scrap bag from Aircraft Spruce. Couple this this the book recommended by the EAA and lots of destructive testing, and you will be alright.
Scott R
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Post by jaywelch on Nov 13, 2011 0:08:30 GMT -5
I have to agree and say learning the art of welding is worth it. I have been "welding" for years, or so I thought. Wire feed is point and pull the trigger .... I bought my first Oxy/Ace set up and practiced until I felt ready to tackle the sonerai fuse. The fuse is done ... but the skills I learned using gas were so worth the effort. Besides ... you can look back and say "yup ... I built it"  Jason |
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