RDP'S "What are you working on?"

[Taboma]

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The pictures you've shared of this extensive restoration have revealed a chilling complexity, that during all the hours I've spent as a passenger in these marvels of flight, I was content being happily ignorant of.
Thank you, I think

 

[530RL]

The pictures you've shared of this extensive restoration have revealed a chilling complexity, that during all the hours I've spent as a passenger in these marvels of flight, I was content being happily ignorant of.
Thank you, I think

It’s somewhat important to do some of the more critical things correctly.

 

[coolchange]

It’s somewhat important to do some of the more critical things correctly.

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“Somewhat “. Noted

 

[Taboma]

It’s somewhat important to do some of the more critical things correctly.

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Is this your first restoration ? Will you be test flying it soon ? Asking for some other members

 

[530RL]

Is this your first restoration ? Will you be test flying it soon ? Asking for some other members

Nope. Third 369 model. And yep I fly it first.

I’m entitled to one fatal accident. But just one.

 

[Kachina26]

Nope. Third 369 model. And yep I fly it first.

I’m entitled to one fatal accident. But just one.

Hobby, business, both? I've been enjoying the heck out of the pictures.

 

[Taboma]

Nope. Third 369 model. And yep I fly it first.

I’m entitled to one fatal accident. But just one.

Are the Hughes 369 and MD500 name interchangeable or does the 369 refer to an earlier 1960's version designed for the Army ?
Joking aside, I'm amazed at the complexity of these machines. Even more amazing, MD 500's are still in production today, for a cool $ 2 million.

 

[530RL]

Hobby, business, both? I've been enjoying the heck out of the pictures.

Both. Mainly 500’s and AS350’s in Law Enforcement roles.

Started messing around with rotorcraft when we owned a Rolls Royce Authorized Maintenance and Overhaul Facility in the late 90’s early 2000’s.

Are the Hughes 369 and MD500 name interchangeable or does the 369 refer to an earlier 1960's version designed for the Army ?
Joking aside, I'm amazed at the complexity of these machines. Even more amazing, MD 500's are still in production today, for a cool $ 2 million.

Hughes 369 was the company designation for its submission for the Army’s LOH contract.

500 was the certified civilian model designation.

The military designation started with OH-6 and has morphed into further models such as MH-6 “Little Bird”.

 

[mjc]

AA/FA. Warm it up on thinner oil maybe 30 secs change it for 70w, adjust the valves and clutch every run. We go through 34 quarts of oil per run and unknown nitro at 40 a gal per run.

 

[monkeyswrench]

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AA/FA. Warm it up on thinner oil maybe 30 secs change it for 70w, adjust the valves and clutch every run. We go through 34 quarts of oil per run and unknown nitro at 40 a gal per run.

Are these chassis setup and built comparable to a AA/FC or TF/FC chassis? The front end looks like it may be narrower, and possibly shorter between top and bottom rails, but never seen them naked side by side.

 

[mjc]

Are these chassis setup and built comparable to a AA/FC or TF/FC chassis? The front end looks like it may be narrower, and possibly shorter between top and bottom rails, but never seen them naked side by side.

This car is actually a used John Force finny car chassis. I didn't take any pictures of the clutch rebuild and will be torqueing rods and mains first thing tomorrow.

 

[Icky]

Hobby, business, both? I've been enjoying the heck out of the pictures.

You saw the building thread he did right?

 

[zhandfull]

Installed a couple carports in Havasu. Was 107 out the weekend we went up. That slowed down the progress but we got them close. Few loose end to complete still.

There is two separated carports inline to stay under the County SF requirements to pull a permit. Will probably connect them sometime in the future. Nice to have some shade and protection for the Pontoon.

12’ legs and 15.5 to peak. Motorhome should fit. Pontoon fits easily with the bimini top up.

 

[Kachina26]

You saw the building thread he did right?

I did, but I didn't follow very closely. I certainly don't recall seeing what was going to be done in the building. But that was awhile ago.

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

Finished the fences. Before anyone asks the redish was what I had built the deck dock with and tried to match it in hindsight the cedar would have been better.

 

[4Waters]

Finished the fences. Before anyone asks the redish was what I had built the deck dock with and tried to match it in hindsight the cedar would have been better.

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Looks great

 

[530RL]

And the Jesus Nut.

 

[C-Ya]

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And the Jesus Nut.

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Now I feel poor………

Your pics make me think……… Hey, maybe boating isn't so expensive after all. LOL

 

[530RL]

Now I feel poor………

Your pics make me think……… Hey, maybe boating isn't so expensive after all. LOL

How else do you expect to get to the boat?

 

[SoCalDave]

Early 1900's home in the LB historic district. I'm sure this was added many years later.

This looks to be original to the home.

 

[NicPaus]

Setting shower panels this morning. I didn't pick the panels customer did. The ceiling slopes back 3" and it's a white quartz panel. Has a Mr Steam unit.

Making templates for the sides of the other 1. I picked those panels.

 

[530RL]

Setting shower panels this morning. I didn't pick the panels customer did. The ceiling slopes back 3" and it's a white quartz panel. Has a Mr Steam unit.

Making templates for the sides of the other 1. I picked those panels. View attachment 1447981 View attachment 1447982 View attachment 1447983

What brand of quartz?

 

[530RL]

 

[NicPaus]

What brand of quartz?

Best cheer stone imports it. They have 6 of the 1/2" panel options in stock. Was there yesterday talking to one of the head of marketing. Trying to get them to stock more options. I have 7 bathrooms going currently that are getting the panels.

I am using a AccuGlide saw setup to cut them.

 

[530RL]

Best cheer stone imports it. They have 6 of the 1/2" panel options in stock. Was there yesterday talking to one of the head of marketing. Trying to get them to stock more options. I have 7 bathrooms going currently that are getting the panels.

I am using a AccuGlide saw setup to cut them.

Recent lawsuit in California where installers were not using appropriate equipment and wet saw and ended up with silicosis over the years.

Possible ban in California and Texas being discussed.

We are working on a glass based product which does not cause silicosis and would be IP protected.

Jury Awards $52.4M in Case Against Artificial-Stone Countertop Makers - Public Health Watch

In the first case of its type to go to trial in the U.S., a Los Angeles jury handed down a verdict against three manufacturers sued by a worker with a deadly lung disease.

publichealthwatch.org

 

[SoCalDave]

Setting shower panels this morning. I didn't pick the panels customer did. The ceiling slopes back 3" and it's a white quartz panel. Has a Mr Steam unit.

Making templates for the sides of the other 1. I picked those panels. View attachment 1447981 View attachment 1447982 View attachment 1447983

Thanks...daughter wants this done to her shower that will be adressed soon...I'll be in touch for info on this material.

 

[spectras only]

@530RL , love the colour of the chopper!!

My choice was 2023 Jaguar sapphire dark blue. Sparkly under powerful lights or under the Sun.

Almost black under low light

New Nardi steering wheel in, bakelite OEM out.

 

[530RL]

@530RL , love the colour of the chopper!!

My choice was 2023 Jaguar sapphire dark blue. Sparkly under powerful lights or under the Sun.
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Almost black under low light
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New Nardi steering wheel in, bakelite OEM out.

It is Swaters Blu

Matches a couple cars I have in that color.

 

[spectras only]

It is Swaters Blu

Matches a couple cars I have in that color.

Did paint my FF Sonic Blue, not far from the Ferrari Swaters Blue

 

[530RL]

Rebuilding pitch bearing housings and replacing striker plates and bump stops.

 

[spectras only]

View attachment 1448397 View attachment 1448398 Rebuilding pitch bearing housings and replacing striker plates and bump stops.

Do you do magnafluxing or X-Ray those parts? What is the requirement to replacement time?

 

[530RL]

Do you do magnafluxing or X-Ray those parts? What is the requirement to replacement time?

Those parts are on condition. But the pitch bearings and the studs in previous posts wear over time and create small vibrations as well as small but within tolerance movement.

By overhauling them it tightens up the rotor track and balance as well as control feedback making it fly smoother and completely vibration free.

Any commercial operator would leave them alone until the whole head is overhauled at 2770 hours. But given we have a ton of replacement parts in inventory that were bought in multiple bulk purchases when operators switched from MD products to Airbus products I like to have my personal stuff fly perfect.

We are also building a large inventory of Airbus parts in expectation of future large price increases.

 

[SoCalDave]

Client gave me this vending machine. I believe it to be late 40's early 50's. It's all there and the mechanics are operational even the coin mechanism. Slightly weathered but still solid. I'm going to restore it to its original condition and put it in my new man cave. I remember buying peanuts/candy out of a 10 cent machine in the 60's so this has some emotional attachment for me.

 

[530RL]

 

[TPC]

Had to brush clear about 1/8 acre
Tumbelweeds made a second effort while we were on a couple of cruises.

Neighbor won't trim his hillside unless the Fire Dept knocks on his door. It goes to seed that blows onto our property and our other neighbors. Slight moisture and a full days work grows in a week or two.

The Echo GT255 string trimmer with the brush blades made it more easy, but still a days work:

Can't buy the Echo GT 225 gas trimmer in Calif anymore so I bought a spare in AZ. Sits in a box in our shed for when our current one taps out. Very durable and capable trimmers with spare parts readily available. Only trimmer I ever owned that holds up year after year. Nothing lasts for ever though.

I had a Ryobi 4 stroke trimmer, not very durable died in 16 months.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Time to give the old dog some love. New HG, turbo, cp3 conversion and water pump coming up.

 

[Your ad here]

Making a portable bin rack to get the bins off the work bench. U Line wants like $700+ for theirs including shipping. Got the louvers from Amazon and the steel from IMS and went to work. Have a frontside, backside, and shelves. Still have to put the floor in the bottom and paint it.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Moving along slowly in my spare time.
About ready to pull the fuel system on the passenger side and pull the harness and fuel system off the driver side. I will then pull the rest of the piping off at the y bridge. Should be ready to pull the covers after that.

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

So 15+ years ago my neighbor gave me an old ammonia/propane fridge that I thought would be cool to have.

Fast forward to last week unfortunately I left it uncovered outside and water had got into it so bad that I tried moving it and it started self disassembling.

So after an internal struggle I decided to gut it and make a cabinet out of it.

So after gutting it ,making a face frame and pedestal I realized that even though I wanted to keep the ice maker it was so heavy that I would have to really beef up the back so I chose to leave it out.

I wanted to paint all of the plywood inside and out but as I was mocking up the refer box I realized that it was going to be a one shot deal as it was falling apart (insulation board)

The last part to do is make a top for it and decide if I want to paint it or leave it as is?

 

[Mandelon]

Finally have time to get started on this project. Gonna be a long road.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Went a little out of order. Jusy going as it takes me. Y bridge is out. Passenger fuel lines are out. Work on disconnecting driver side tomorrow and this weekend. The pumps just about ready to slide out. Then we can pull the Injectors. Should be time to pull the covers after that and get to the rocker assembly.

 

[rivergames]

Yesterday, My Brother and I brought our Pontoon over to American Speedmetal Hot Rod Shop in Gardena. Bobby the owner and crew are bad ass fabricators! They beefed up the transom to support the added weight of the newer Merc 200 Outboard that we purchased a few months back. Can't wait to throw the motor on in a few weeks and then hook all the other shit up!