Another test you could do is to try a grinding wheel on an edge of
the firewall. If it is stainless you will get a shower of sparks due
to its iron content. Aluminum will not give off the sparks, and it
might gum up your wheel.
Roger Cole
Murphy Elite #709
rcole927@earthlink.net
On Aug 4, 2010, at 1:18 PM, schaumr@dcsol.com wrote:
O.K. Thanks to all for your responses...the evidence appears to be
mounting
that, based on production number, I indeed have a stainless
firewall. While I
don't have a piece of stainless to use as "standard", I like Dave's
idea to
apply heat to the different drill chips and observe the results.
When the time
comes to drill into this thing, I'll pay close attention to the
degree of difficulty
in drilling new holes, and collect drill chips for Dave's experiment.
Build on!
Rob
On 8/4/2010 8:06 AM, bobp@prosumers.ca wrote to rebel-builders:
->
-> Hi Rob !
->
-> As i recall, the stainless plate was .018 thick - should be
-> easy to mic a part of it .... and it IS very hard to drill !
->
-> The fix was to add a flat plate of stainless to the front
-> of the aluminum firewall - made for a stronger firewall.
-> This was much easier than using a complete, formed
-> and punched firewall.
->
-> As Ken mentioned, some builders just added a layer
-> of FiberFrax from Spruce, held on with their Silica adhesive,
-> and coated with the Silica to prevent soaking up oil later.
-> This was light weight and effective - some still flying after
-> over 15 years ...
->
-> --
-> ......bobp
-> bobp@prosumers.ca
-> http://www.amway.ca/BobPatterson
-> http://bpatterson.qhealthbeauty.com
-> http://apatterson2.ordermygift.com
->
-> Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual
sender
-> and do not necessarily reflect the views of any other entities
or persons.
-> Any action taken as a result of the contents of this email is
totally the
-> responsibility of the reader.
->
-> On August 4, 2010 09:10:59 am schaumr@dcsol.com wrote:
-> > All
-> >
-> > I confirmed last night that my firewall is indeed aluminum
(probably
0.032)
-> > (i.e. not magnetic and easily 'test filed".
-> > Ken's email below suggests "early" kits were aluminum, but
mine is
-> > #786....hardly an 'early' production number. Should I even
bother asking
-> > MAM for the requisite stainless plate? If I have to order
this myself, how
-> > thick must this piece of stainless be?
-> >
-> > Fortunately, only the witches-hats are riveted on the
firewall, and I was
-> > planning on removing them anyway for Wayne's prescribed firewall
-> > reinforcements....so retrofitting the stainless plate is
probably the
-> > easiest thing I've had to do on the plane in a long while. How
-> > refreshing.
-> >
-> > I dread cutting the stainless though.....it's going to totally
dull my
-> > favorite Lennox metal bandsaw blade....sniff.
-> >
-> > Rob
-> > Rebel 786
-> >
-> >
-> >
-> > On 8/4/2010 4:28 AM, klehman@albedo.net wrote to rebel-builders:
-> >
-> > -> Curtis
-> > ->
-> > -> Some of us riveted a thin flat sheet of stainless on the
forward side of
-> > -> the aluminum. Actually makes for a stronger firewall with a
little less
-> > -> risk of damage I'm told.
-> > ->
-> > -> I understand that fibrefrax cloth also meets the
requirement. It and
the
-> > -> glue is available from Spruce. I did not use it because I
figured it had
-> > -> to be covered with something else anyway to keep it from
eventually
-> > -> becoming saturated with oil.
-> > ->
-> > -> I don't know why MAM considered aluminum acceptable for
early kits.
-> > ->
-> > -> Ken
-> > ->
-> > ->
-> > -> Curtis Langholz wrote:
-> > -> > Rob, Great topic for sure.... I purchased kit # 175r that
had been in
-> > -> > storage for a long time. When I purchased it I bought the
upgraded
-> > -> > manuals from MAM and got a tour of the factory plus
talked to Daryl
-> > -> > about my engine choice. He recomended the 3" shortening
of the
boot
-> > -> > cowl which I did as well as the fload stiffeners and
motor mount
-> > -> > doublers. I was feeling really good now that it was
complete.... I
-> > -> > check the MAM bulletins regurlarly as well and there has
not been
any
-> > -> > mention of the firewall being aluminum or stainless. It
is very
-> > -> > frustrating to have all this time putting it together to
find out MAM
-> > -> > was so cheap to use an aluminum firewall that is a safety
hazard.
Can
-> > -> > anyone give me a suggestion of what I should do with it
at this
-> > -> > point? Although it is a setback in the building process,
it does
-> > -> > need to be addressed. Thanks for bringing up the question
about
the
-> > -> > firewall material.
-> > -> >
-> > -> > Curtis
-> > -> >
-> > -> >
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