A Few of My Favorite Things

ArchiveBot · April 20, 2018, 5:00am

A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 11:40 pm

by mike.smith

Along with the “stupidest” things I’ve done, here were a few of my favorite things.

Make your own drilled bolt shank:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 730&row=23

Remote battery charging port:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 107&row=77
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 069&row=72
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 070&row=71

Self Sealing Canopy Seal:

Got this one from Dudley Foster.
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 003&row=79
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 004&row=78

Lightweight Portable Wheel Chocks:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 884&row=86

Canopy Locking Pin:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 05&row=153
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 65&row=152

Fuel Shut Off:

I’ve never seen one that’s better, IMHO
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 79&row=418

Labeling every single wire in the plane, at both ends:
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 33&row=571

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 1:44 am

by Kai

Mike,

Hm- interesting!

You haven’t by any chance come up with a working, durable seal for the rear canopy edge against the turtledeck? So far all ideas I have tried, tend to disintegrate or rub off after a while. Right now I am working on an idea that incorporates say ø1/2" tube bent to follow the turtledeck edge, with some kind of rubber seal attached to it.

Thanks
Kai
Sonex 0525

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 8:30 am

by mike.smith

Kai wrote:Mike,

You haven’t by any chance come up with a working, durable seal for the rear canopy edge against the turtledeck? So far all ideas I have tried, tend to disintegrate or rub off after a while. Right now I am working on an idea that incorporates say ø1/2" tube bent to follow the turtledeck edge, with some kind of rubber seal attached to it.

Hi,
No, but I’ve never tried. In 4 years the only time I wished I’d had something there was when I got caught in some rain during landing coming back from OSH. But then again, there was water coming in from way more places around the windscreen and bottom edge of the canopy, so even then I’d have gotten wet. I fly in the New England winters and air/cold has never been an issue at the turtle deck. The air mostly slides by without ever coming through the gap. So for the VFR flying I do, having a rear seal was never necessary.

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:06 am

by nwawingman

I love my new fuel cap from Peter Anson and works great. I was sure tired of buying a replacement every year. Great design. Thanks Peter!

http://www.ansoneng.com/sample-page/pro … tem-parts/

Also my flip down canopy brace that keeps the wind from doing a number on it.

This topic would make a great Builder discussion at the Midwest Sonex Fly-In! Hope to see you there!

2018 Mid West Sonex Fly-in poster link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Za93ch … sp=sharing

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:42 am

by mike.smith

nwawingman wrote:Also my flip down canopy brace that keeps the wind from doing a number on it.

2018 Mid West Sonex Fly-in poster link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Za93ch … sp=sharing

Do you have photos of the canopy brace? And the link for the fly-in did not work.

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 11:14 am

by fastj22

I absolutely love my flip back canopy. Best mod I ever did.

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 12:24 pm

by sonex1374

Mike,

Relooking at your build log (great job, again!) I’m curious about your latest heat muff. Did that unit work out? Can you give us an update and maybe some tips for anyone considering a heat muff?

Jeff

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 12:31 pm

by nwawingman

mike.smith wrote:

nwawingman wrote:Also my flip down canopy brace that keeps the wind from doing a number on it.

2018 Mid West Sonex Fly-in poster link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Za93ch … sp=sharing

Do you have photos of the canopy brace? And the link for the fly-in did not work.

I need to take a photo of the brace. I got the idea from Bob Mika I believe.

I think I got the poster link fixed. Sorry about that.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Za93ch … sp=sharing

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 2:21 pm

by SonexN76ET

My favorite things:

Infinity military stick grip

Insulation on lower firewall and forward portion of cockpit floor

Comfor foam seat cushion bottom

Weather stripping of windscreen and canopy (not reposting, just do a search on this site for my earlier write up)

K&N 25-0330 Red Air Filter Foam Wrap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00062YI0K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_w232AbHM2EGBS
Took the element out of the Sonex supplied air filter and just use this foam filter wrap around the Sonex filter’s metal screen and metal mesh.

Earl’s Plumbing 90 degree 6AN 1/8 NPT fitting on AeroInjector that keeps fuel line closer to AeroInjector and farther away from exhaust pipe.

Felpro valve cover and oil sump gaskets

White silicon Aerovee pushrod tube seals

Sonex oil sump filter from turbo

Sonex oil separator tank

Seat belt racing pads

ILevil AW

MGL Engine Management System from Sonex

Vernier mixture control for precise mixture adjustments

Hart well latch on fuel access door

Peter Anson’s fuel cap

Jake

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 8:32 pm

by mike.smith

sonex1374 wrote:Mike,
Relooking at your build log (great job, again!) I’m curious about your latest heat muff. Did that unit work out? Can you give us an update and maybe some tips for anyone considering a heat muff?

Nope. It doesn’t work one bit. Not enough heat bottled up in the muff. I think one muff may not be enough, to start with, but perhaps making a muff closer the the exhaust flanges would improve the amount of heat. I’ve tried two designs, and have tested lots of different input of cowl air, from a 1/4" inlet hole, to the full 2" diameter of the supply scat tube. I’ve heard 1 or 2 people have gotten a workable system, but I have yet to see any documentation to see how they did it.

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 9:14 pm

by mike.smith

My portable engine hoist plans just got uploaded to the Sonex Foundation web site:
http://www.sonexfoundation.com/uploads/ … _Hoist.pdf

Another one of my favorite things. No wheels, so it’s stable and simple. After suspending the engine you move the airplane, instead. It fit in my Subaru sedan with the rear seat folded down. I really needed it when I had a prop strike on an island (Nantucket)!!

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 10:10 pm

by Onex107

mike.smith wrote:

Kai wrote:Mike,
I use a foam seal tape that is about 1/2 square, sticky on one side, and stick it to the bulkhead face so the canopy closes on the side of it. Lasts a long time and is easily replaced.

You haven’t by any chance come up with a working, durable seal for the rear canopy edge against the turtledeck? So far all ideas I have tried, tend to disintegrate or rub off after a while. Right now I am working on an idea that incorporates say ø1/2" tube bent to follow the turtledeck edge, with some kind of rubber seal attached to it.

Hi,
No, but I’ve never tried. In 4 years the only time I wished I’d had something there was when I got caught in some rain during landing coming back from OSH. But then again, there was water coming in from way more places around the windscreen and bottom edge of the canopy, so even then I’d have gotten wet. I fly in the New England winters and air/cold has never been an issue at the turtle deck. The air mostly slides by without ever coming through the gap. So for the VFR flying I do, having a rear seal was never necessary.

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 2:50 am

by Kai

Thanks!

This actually works? Often the simplest solutions are the best. I’ll give it a try.

Kai
Sonex 0525

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 7:14 am

by peter anson

I have made several changes to my Sonex that I am very happy with but it would sound a bit like an advertisement for me to list them so the following is one I wish I had thought of. This is Jim Owens’ recently completed Viking powered Sonex. If you look carefully you will see that Jim has made the windshield and canopy just a couple of inches higher than standard by cutting a wider windshield and setting the hoop a little higher.

It’s not much, and barely noticeable, but I reckon that slightly steeper angle of the windshield may be just enough to reduce distortion looking forward. Just wish I had thought of that.
Damn!
Peter

Re: Maintaining a Healthy Forum

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 12:53 pm

by planeolbob

Hi Everyone,
I don’t contribute much any more to the site, but will add my 2 cents today as we are going through another cycle of cyber madness.

I have been in the Sonex group for more than 19 years (see photo below for my first parts) and have seen many a post. So here are my Stupid and Favorite things.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/planeolbob/2048635625

Also, before I list the good and bad I would like to state that the joy of flying my airplane is the reason I and many of you got here in the first place. Remember this always. https://www.flickr.com/photos/39943786@ … ed-public/

Stupid:

I became “Build Happy”. What I mean by this is I was having so much fun building the aircraft I kept adding stuff I didn’t need to meet the mission that this aircraft was designed for. This made for a heavy empty weight. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ … 998890631/
I misaligned the skin on my left wing so that I needed to replace the top skin. The wing was warped 5/8”. Believe me I did not sleep that night. Here is what I did after talking to Sonex. https://www.flickr.com/photos/planeolbo … 0661866595
Adding a wing leveler. I spent all that money and time and found out that I never used the equipment. Luckily, I was able to sell it for gas money. https://www.flickr.com/photos/planeolbo … 3455593275
Going with circuit breaker switches. My chapter advisor was a big fan of these and talked me into it. This caused me to make a sub panel and dropped down my air vents. Along with added weight, space and expense, this caused less leg room for taller pilots. They do work great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22138162@ … 3588470927
Not installing the pressure plugs in my AeroVee. This caused zero oil pressure for the first 3 minutes of run time and made me overhaul the engine at 125 hours. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ … 6334452014
Heating System. Not only was this a lot of work but it weighed a lot. It did work but I found wearing cheap ski bibs a whole lot better. I took it out. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ … 6334452014
Flush rivets on the cowl. This is a lot of work and I still am not happy with the results. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ … 3598665670

Favorite:

Bob’s Shading System or as I call it “The BS System”. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ … 6337388654 https://www.flickr.com/photos/39943786@ … ed-public/
Figuring out ways to solve build problems. Here is a method to remove the paint from the inside of the gear socket. I have many more on my sites if you want to look. https://www.flickr.com/photos/20695499@N07/2143275388
Fuel Shut Off System. This is very import control in that you can shut off the fuel while you are strapped in. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22138162@ … 6206932201
Paint Scheme. Since I knew this would be my only airplane I had to go with a WWII scheme. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ … ed-public/ The polishing was time consuming but was well worth it. Remember boys and girls, these are Experimental Aircraft. There is no right or wrong way to do cosmetic items. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22345371@ … 3591557271
Cowling doors. I am happy with my fuel and oil filling features. They work great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/22387489@ … 3598665670
Air – Oil interceptor. This home made system works great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ … 6212277081
Panic Bar. This little item is very nice for passengers. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ … 5980213964
Canopy hold open fixtures. A lot of us have these. Mine can be locked. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ … 6212293545
Check List holder. I have all my check lists in a flip style holder. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ … 998890631/
Side Panel upholstery additions. These will keep items from falling under the seat. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ … 5980213964
Head Set Hanger. This is just a “J” hook made from ¼” tube that holds both head sets above the baggage compartment. https://www.flickr.com/photos/24014066@ … ed-public/
Tow Bar. This zero cost tool works great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ … ed-public/
Larger Tail wheel. I went with a 5” unit. Much better on Turf. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ … 998890631/
Larger 5x5 tires. Same reason, turf.
“Gun Sight” Fuel Vent. I have had two versions. Both worked great. https://www.flickr.com/photos/32288421@ … 998890631/
Meeting Sonex builders. All of you have been a great help to me as I built and have flown my aircraft. I have a debt to the group I try to repay. https://www.flickr.com/photos/39943786@ … ed-public/
And speaking of meeting people, one cannot forget the annual fun at Oshkosh. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ … 4353104624
I also can’t forget Carlos and his wonderful RC model down at Sun n Fun. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ … ed-public/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ … ed-public/
All the good times at “Jeff’s on Rugby”. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ … ed-public/
Having my airplane show up on a satellite photo. https://www.flickr.com/photos/50734158@ … ed-public/
Tail Wheel Modification. https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ … 4239615855
Video Camera Mount. https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ … 4239615855
Charging System. https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ … 7424242601
Ordnance. https://www.flickr.com/photos/64768042@ … 9694471038

Re: Maintaining a Healthy Forum

Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 5:41 pm

by mike.smith

planeolbob wrote:Stupid:
4. Going with circuit breaker switches. My chapter advisor was a big fan of these and talked me into it. This caused me to make a sub panel and dropped down my air vents. Along with added weight, space and expense, this caused less leg room for taller pilots. They do work great.

Great list! Thanks for sharing!

As for #4 under “stupid,” I really like mine, but I got them all in the upper panel so no dropped panel.
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 9579&row=3
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l … 809&row=23

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:21 am

by DCASonex

To Planeolbob,

Thanks for the organised listing, See a couple of things I may want to borrow after getting new house ready and moving this summer, an activity not conducive to working on plane or flying, but new place will be closer to airport. Your strip for the breakers does not look like it would be much of a problem, have same on mine, but those vents look like real knee bashers. Looks like you might have room to put them into the main sloping panel, and might consider converting to the original Sonex side lever trim which would eliminate the remaining knee basher. I find the very quick to set side lever much more convenient than the knob adjustment.

David A.

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2019 1:34 pm

by thomasjones42

I’m finishing up my Onex project and yesterday got the previously fitted canopy out of the box where it has been resting for a couple years. Before I mount it again, I recall seeing some dialogue in the past about canopy stiffeners and/or braces but am unable to bring up any pictures in Search. Does anyone have any pictures or info on those kinds of things they are willing to share?

Tom Jones
Onex #0133
Aerovee Turbo

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2019 7:33 pm

by sonex1374

Tom,

This is one type of brace to stiffen the rear bow. It might give you some ideas for your own.

Jeff

Re: A Few of My Favorite Things

Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:30 am

by thomasjones42

Thanks Jeff