Scale 18% De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver by MR Aerodesign

[AKNick]

Can you explain the Laser cutting how it works and how strong it is and the material it ends up being made of. I need some fancy brackets made for the suspension on my Taylor craft and making by hand is difficult.

It's just like a CNC plasma cutter, just more precise and usually cleaner. Both are burning through the material but much less kerf (material taken away) with a laser in most cases resulting in closer tolerances and smaller details. It's all based on speed, power settings, passes, and focal distance. EG: how fast it needs to move to burn through, etch, or engrave the subject material. Very high power lasers are what are used for cutting metal. I've had a lot of fun learning it with my diode laser, but it cannot cut metal, just etch/engrave. I was able to cut some G10 composite with it for control horns which was fun.

 

[WMcNabb]

Parts arrived yesterday. Some assembly required

Not only are the parts cut with a high degree of precision, but also the bends are already formed. Extra material in the form of tabs was added to the edges in order to facilitate bending. The amount was based on best practice knowledge and the company’s feedback after design review.

For reference, below is a photo of the 3D printed part which was used for the fit check with aircraft.

 

[TonyHallo]

Love it when a plan comes together!

 

[WMcNabb]

Love it when a plan comes together!

And here we have a new shiny pair of jack pads, all welded and painted.

For more info on the shiny object in the background…1929 Lockheed Vega under restoration.

 

[AKNick]

Can we not skip over the 1929 Lockheed Vega?? More please!

 

[WMcNabb]

Can we not skip over the 1929 Lockheed Vega?? More please!

Best place to start is HERE.

Then, a nice timeline of videos under Kermit Weeks YouTube channel.

Project Visit - Part 1 HERE.
Project Visit - Part 2 HERE.
Fuselage Diaphragms - HERE.
Project Visit 2023 - HERE.
Project Visit 2025 - HERE.

This has been an incredible project to watch over the past few years. I remember seeing the wing in the shop when we were there for the debut of the Pitts Model 12S Proton - HERE.

Anytime I’m in the area, I try to stop by and visit the family, whom I’ve known since childhood. A bonus is seeing the cool things in the shop!

For more fun, check out the Gee Bee Model Z!

 

[WMcNabb]

Gee Bee Model Z - HERE

 

[WMcNabb]

I don’t remember the last time the work tables were clean. Sunday, I decided to reorganize the disaster that was the hobby room. After putting everything back in its place and running the vacuum, I resumed work on the Beaver’s wings, and sorted the remaining sheets of balsa. Still lots of sheeting to do on this model. I’ll grab a few photos of the progress later.