Author Topic: Safety Alert Tom Morris Adjustable Elevator Horns (Read 4067 times)

Tom Morris · « **on:** July 09, 2011, 12:10:01 PM »

Everyone using a Tom Morris Adjustable Elevator Horn needs to put a #4 fender washer between the ball joint and the horn. Jim Aron crashed at the Nats because he tightened the 4-40 bolt so tightly the horn spread apart and then the ball joint moved moved during the flight. You should used a #4 lock washer directly under the 4-40 bolt head and then a #4 flat washer under the #4 lock washer. Then insert the bolt through the ball joint, add the #4 fender washer, then insert the bolt through the slot in the horn and into the 4-40 stepped slider nut. All that is required is a firm tightening. It is not necessary to tighten it real tight. The fender washer will insure the tightening load is flat against the horn.

If you don't have a #4 fender washer I will mail one to you. Call me at 256-820-1983 or email me at ctmorris@cableone.net.

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2011, 09:03:40 AM »

IMPORTANT!

W.

Bill Little · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2011, 01:30:21 PM »

Thanks, Tom. Wow that bolt had to be tightened very tight to spread the metal horn apart.

Will make the modifications to my set ups!

Bill

Brett Buck · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:18:46 PM »

Quote from: Ward Van Duzer on July 10, 2011, 09:03:40 AM

IMPORTANT!

W.

   Another suggestion on this topic (since I did the forensics on Jim's issue) - at least on Jim's slider, there was a separate hole for a screw dedicated to holding the slider in place. You could use this in addition to the ball itself to provide some redundancy to prevent it from sliding.

   I probably bear some responsibility for the crash. A few weeks before, Jim and I had adjusted the flap/elevator ratio and I had commented on the fact that it was held by the same screw as the ball. It looked a little iffy to me. It would have been a simple matter to add the extra screw. Although I would have to say that the washer under the ball would probably be sufficient.

   Brett

Jim Snelson · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2011, 09:40:37 PM »

Hi everyone. I just heard about this from Bill Heher. But it sounds like Tom has it figured out.

Brett, I am curious about this second hole you are talking about. Are there any photos of this? I would like a little more information if possible.

Thanks,

Jim Snelson
www.clcentral.com

Brett Buck · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2011, 12:05:58 AM »

Quote from: Jim Snelson on July 21, 2011, 09:40:37 PM

Hi everyone. I just heard about this from Bill Heher. But it sounds like Tom has it figured out.

Brett, I am curious about this second hole you are talking about. Are there any photos of this? I would like a little more information if possible.

I don't have one at hand right now. Tom could explain, I am sure.

Brett

Uncle Jimby · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:00:55 PM »

For what it's worth, Systrema has been repaired and is back in the air...and I have a washer behind the ball joint now. Better late than never!

Jim

Randy Powell · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:05:59 PM »

Hey Jimby, how much weight did it gain in the process?

Uncle Jimby · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:09:24 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on October 10, 2011, 12:05:59 PM

Hey Jimby, how much weight did it gain in the process?

1/2 ounce lighter Whoo Hooo!

Matt Colan · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:59:47 PM »

Quote from: Uncle Jimby on October 10, 2011, 12:09:24 PM

1/2 ounce lighter Whoo Hooo!

Doesn't even look like it crashed!! How did you get it lighter Jim? The plane was a mess when it was at the L-Pad.

Uncle Jimby · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2011, 04:49:07 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on October 10, 2011, 12:59:47 PM

Doesn't even look like it crashed!! How did you get it lighter Jim? The plane was a mess when it was at the L-Pad.

Matt:

I lengthened the nose by 1.5" which enabled me to take out some lead and use a magnesium head and backplate on the engine and use a carbon tank. Actually, I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't lighter, but I have trouble ripping my right hand away from the spray gun. You know....Wow! That looks good, so if I keep spraying it will look even better...ooooooooooooooooooooooooh!

If you're interested, the entire rebuild photo essay is up on my website, www.concentricbehavior.com on the current projects tab. I think it is rolling in order now.

Jim

Randy Powell · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2011, 05:26:47 PM »

Yea, I saw the slideshow. Very cool. I have to admit that you have more patience than I do. I would have just built it again from scratch. But looks pretty cool. I know it was no lightweight to begin with, but any weight you can lose is good and decreasing weight out near the ends of the fuse is all to the good.

Good job, Jim. It looks great.

Brett Buck · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2011, 05:55:47 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on October 10, 2011, 12:59:47 PM

Doesn't even look like it crashed!! How did you get it lighter Jim? The plane was a mess when it was at the L-Pad.

It was in the realm of possibility of fixing it at the NATs and before the first qualifying flight. It wouldn't have looked that nice, though.

The reworked airplane flies at least as well as it did before, and for whatever reason the engine runs MUCH better.

Brett

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2011, 06:03:04 PM »

Perhaps that magnesium head and backplate are impressing the hell out of the fuel?

john e. holliday · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2011, 08:32:14 AM »

If I had not seen the pics, I would not have beleived it. You are a true artist.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2011, 03:21:38 PM »

>>You are a true artist.<<

That much is sure true. Jim is a premier builder - and with a most interesting sense of color.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2011, 05:49:02 PM »

I looked through the pictures, and it that was really an amazing repair Jim!!!

I did notice you also adjusted the size of the flaps, and shape of the ends and got rid of that cool "bite" off the end of them.

Uncle Jimby · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:39:01 PM »

Quote from: Matt Colan on October 11, 2011, 05:49:02 PM

I looked through the pictures, and it that was really an amazing repair Jim!!!

I did notice you also adjusted the size of the flaps, and shape of the ends and got rid of that cool "bite" off the end of them.

Truth be known, Matt, I'm not sure I ever completely bought into the cool "bite" off the end of the flaps as you put it. It was distinctive, but...I don't know. Anyway, from a purely functional point of view, I'm going to get more bang for my buck with the new flaps.

billbyles · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2011, 07:09:06 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on October 11, 2011, 03:21:38 PM

>>You are a true artist.<<

That much is sure true. Jim is a premier builder - and with a most interesting sense of color.

Fantastic job of rebuilding, Uncle Jimby...it looks as beautiful as ever; still purple, however!

Matt Colan · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2011, 02:44:21 PM »

Quote from: Uncle Jimby on October 11, 2011, 06:39:01 PM

Truth be known, Matt, I'm not sure I ever completely bought into the cool "bite" off the end of the flaps as you put it. It was distinctive, but...I don't know. Anyway, from a purely functional point of view, I'm going to get more bang for my buck with the new flaps.

I'd have to agree with that, I just liked the old flaps and the way they looked, even if they wouldn't work as well as normal flaps.