Profile landing gear question

[Stew Robinson]

I'm starting a Twister, my son in law, a Skyray 35. We both want aluminum landing gear. On the Brodak site, it is hard to tell what size the landing gear is. Can anyone help us pick the right stuff?  Thanks, Stewie

[RknRusty]

BG-1776, 1/8" x 5" LG for Skyray, that's what I used on mine. I see they've gone up $5 Bucks. Probably the same for the Twister, but you better check if you use a 12" prop. I like the Shoestring 35 LG, they're wider and more stout, but too short.
Rusty

[Fredvon4]

Eric Rule RSM has these

http://www.rsmdistribution.com/index-2.htm

On left menu go to building supplies

second down after Dave Brown wheels is landing gear

[Tony Drago]

BG 1776 is narrow and about 1in taller--BG 1774 wider. Just depends stance you would want and if you fly off grass or not.
Hope this helps.
 

[RknRusty]

I found Twister LG in the RSM catalog, page 36, bottom left.
Long Duralloy Gear - fits: Twister and similar models, PLGL 13.99

Also this might be good for the Ray, same page in the cat.
Short Duralloy Gear - fits: Ringmaster - Flight Streak and similar models, PLGS


http://www.rsmdistribution.com/rsm-catalog.pdf

[Brent Williams]

I bent up a simple profile landing gear using a yardstick (meter) from Harbor Freight.
Enough material for two airplanes.  Cost about $3.00 for the yardstick.

.078" Aluminum.  
9" of material per side
Place bends at 1" for the wheels and at 7.5" for the fuselage.
Bend around a smooth radius to prevent fatigue(i.e., not the vise jaws.)

[Geoff Goodworth]

There are 'data sheets' for all the Brodak landing gears—sheet and wire—in the Downloads section of their web site.

[Stew Robinson]

Thank you!  Time to order the rest of our parts.

[Robert Dible]

Dural aluminum was a early name for an alloy used to make model gear, by early I mean the Germans were building airships from it over a century ago.  Today it is found in the 2000 series of aluminum alloys.  2000 series metal is more prone to corrosion. 

I make gear using 6061-T6 which I buy in sheets from aircraft suppliers like Aircraft Spruce or Wicks.  It has a grain to it's structure, and some soften it with heat before bending, but that is only required it the bend radius is tight.  It will regain it normal temper after a short period of time has passed.

I would be dubious of gummy low grade generic aluminum you might find in a home supply stores that does not identify the type of metal used.  They are generally softer materials that will be easy to bend, and easy to rebend after every arrival.  Gummy because of the way they drill, as the harder alloys drill very well, especially if you use aircraft drill bits and a light touch.

[Jed Kusik]

Hi guys, thought I would pass along the correct information about the RSM landing gear.
I personally manufacture all of the aluminum landing gear that is sold by them. I have been doing this for years. I make them as if they will go
on my own models, and in fact tested them on my models.
I use Alcoa 6061-T6 sheet and personally machine cut all of the blanks. They are not sheared or band sawed. All mounting holes are pre-drilled
using jigs so that (supposedly) all gears are interchangeable. The holes and edges are hand de-burred. The bends are done with a brake and not
a vise. Profile sets are bent as one so as to match. And I even solvent wash them when done. I try to make a decent product for my flying bud's.
And finally I earn the standard $.25 an hour for a cottage industry. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Jed Kusik

[Robert Dible]

If your information is correct, then it would appear that RSM needs to update their information sheet.

[Garf]

I used to work aircraft sheet metal. 6061 is used to make hydraulic tanks and garbage cans for the galley. Never structural. 2024T3 is minimum for structural work. 7075T6 for the tough stuff. I came across some titanium one day. I now have titanium gear on one of my planes.

[Jed Kusik]

"If my information is correct" Why would I take the time to post if it was not. Actually I wanted to inform that Eric at RSM sells a quality American made product, made by an experienced model builder. There is always someone who has an opinion about what is better, and that is ok, this is a forum about spreading information.   6061-t6 has been used successfully for model aircraft gear since the 50's. I also know that I use a heaver gage stock than the imported/Chinese L/G sold by B.  As to the listing on the RSM site...it has been listed that way since Eric switched from bamboo to balsa. Change is hard.
Jed Kusik

[Tony Drago]

Just a little clarification. The only LG that is imported from B/Brodak's. are the ones that only come in the ARF kits.
  All the other types of LG are made in house (USA) at B/Brodaks's  Mfg.

[Robert Dible]

In other news, rain is wet.

[Stew Robinson]

Jed, I'll be sure to buy our landing gear from RSM

[RknRusty]

Jed, I'll be sure to buy our landing gear from RSM

Everything I've bought from Eric at RSM has been top quality. He even called me on the phone once to clarify something before he made my parts, to ensure that it worked as I expected.
Rusty

[Jed Kusik]

Tony, how you doing? I thought you were in lost wages, are you working at Brodaks' now? I have not been back there since I worked at Nelson's, and then later when Dave Braun ran things at Brodak's.  Good to hear from you, lots of good memories. Keep kicking the can down the road.
Jed Kusik

[Tony Drago]

Hi Jed. All is well. Still in Vegas. Building and some flying now and then. Have Vertigo pretty bad.
No, not working at Brodak's. Only when I go to the flyin then I help out at the plant and hobby shop. Still remember the good old days at Whittier Narrows. Back at you on kicking the can...
Tony