G/F class lakester in Wichita, Kansas

[ggl205]

Still in business but material choices are more limited. All their sheet aluminum is heat treated T6 or higher. Still a great place to go when you need metal. They have a second store about three blocks away for tools both new and reconditioned. That is where I got my spot facing tool.

John

[manta22]

For the uninitiated... what is 'the Yard"?

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[Ron Gibson]

Been several years since I've been there. Surplus nuts, bolts, fittings, clecos, tools, metal, etc. a lot of it aircraft or military surplus. You need a chunk of 6" thick aluminum, they got it, aluminum sheet discolored by water, they got it. Nuts and bolts, etc. were $3.00 a pound. I bought .5" ss Dzus buttons for $3.00 lb, 5/16 double action SS pit pins for $.25 each. You get the Idea.
Neil, sounds like some of the places you've shopped.

Ron

[ggl205]

Ron:

Those were prime rib years for The Yard. Nothing like that now but still a very handy place for the kind of stuff we need.

John

[manta22]

It sure does, Ron.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[jdincau]

Here over the years first it was Cal Nelson Aviation followed by Lockheed salvage sales, Joe Factors and now Luky's hardware. Sure miss the lazy L salvage yard, everything from crates to end mills.

[ggl205]

Well, not the prettiest push bar but strong enough to take a serious hit if it should happen. Next year we will do pretty.

John

[tauruck]

Go John!!!.
All the best.

[ggl205]

Almost done fitting body sections to the chassis. Here are the forward three sections with one more to go (engine cover). For those with a keen eye, there are no fasteners at bottom...yet. These will be added when the belly pan is fitted. Completing the canopy is next up now that everything is secure in the driver compartment. Small steps.

Began building the canopy today. Need to form a lip around inside perimeter for flush mounting of the polycarbonate. In order to keep things simple, a piece of 3/4" thick structural plywood will be used at front to form the poly and act as a bulkhead for the canopy. Should add quite a bit of strength as well. 

John

[ggl205]

More ideas taken from Stainless's Bockscar. These are simple, inexpensive, available and effective canopy latches. You can find them on eBay for around $5 each. Not too difficult to mount, either.

John

[manta22]

John;

I think these are stainless steel latches made by Hartwell.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[ggl205]

You are correct, Neal. But Heatwell makes one that looks like these but has less open and close force. I would stay away from those. These are some really trick latches.

John

[tauruck]

Looking great John.
Will the canopy be 3D?.

[ggl205]

3D? You got me on that one, Mike.

John

[bearingburner]

McMaster-Carr has hold tight latches we used to hold cleanout doors closed on duct work. never had one come open in use.