Gap seal foam maker

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Includes: Highlander, Escapade, Summit and SuperSTOL.
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BDA
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Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Gap seal foam maker

Post by BDA »

I saw a Youtube video of someone making gap seals for another plane with an aluminum die they made and foam sticks or rods so I fired up the old milling machine and made a die for the Super Stol!!

You heat the plate up with torch, and push the 1.5” foam rod thru nice and slow.

Works really good and the foam rods are cheap on Amazon.

Hard to get the temp right, wasted a few at the begining, they catch ON FIRE TOO!!

I have a video of it but it wont post, its too big.
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SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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BDA
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Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BDA »

Gotta be hot first
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SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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kenryan
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Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:46 pm
Location: anchorage, ak

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by kenryan »

i bet you could sell those gap seals.
Super Stol Kit #299
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CanadianSheepHunter
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Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by CanadianSheepHunter »

Nice work dude !
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BDA
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Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BDA »

ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS!!
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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BDA
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Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BDA »

Seriously tho...

Would you rather buy the foam pieces or the aluminum plate?

I dont need to make money off you guys. As long as I can cover the cost and shipping.
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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marl59
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Posts: 84
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:59 pm
Location: Oakland, CA

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by marl59 »

Hey Shawn,
I'm curious if you noticed any difference in performance after putting the gap seals in place. I want some for my Highlander and we have 2 SuperSTOLs and 2 SuperSTOL XLs in the corral that would need them too. Looks like you have yourself a little business if you want it. I'd love to have one of the dies if you want to make me one. Would you be willing to make one for me? 510 774-0653 Let me know. :D
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BucF16
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Location: Alexandria, Ohio

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BucF16 »

The Foam pisces. I'd buy multiple set, and store them for future replacement! So I'm in.

Cheers,
Bruce
Bruce Johnson Highlander # 393
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
Builder web site:
http://www.bruceshighlander.blogspot.com
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BucF16
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Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BucF16 »

Aircraft Spruce has had a Pitts empennage Gap sealer made by Dan Rhine. I have owned 3 sets on my Pitts. Unfortunately they are not the right size for our Just Aircraft.
Bruce Johnson Highlander # 393
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
Builder web site:
http://www.bruceshighlander.blogspot.com
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BDA
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Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BDA »

I can get the short foam pieces but Amazon will not send the long ones to Alaska.

So it takes 2 pieces per side.

They also seem to shrink and expand while installed, it was strange that I installed them all the way to inboard hinge and touching each other, 2 days later there was a 3/4” gap between them.

If you want to send me the longer foam I can cut it for you.

I can make the plates for you as well, but that will take some time (I have to borrow time on CNC mill).

If one of you wants to set this up to make them for profit, I will help. Shipping back and forth to Alaska is expensive.

I cant do any more busneses, 2 is enough.
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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BDA
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Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BDA »

Marl, My plane has not flown yet (very soon) so I have not tested them.

Everyone I have talked to has said that tail gap seals are the single best improvement made to any bush plane.

A good friend is using these on his plane (Privateer), and is very happy w them.
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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BucF16
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Posts: 463
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:47 am
Location: Alexandria, Ohio

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BucF16 »

I have reconsidered. I will purchase a die former from you, and make my own, if you can provide one.

Thanks,
Bruce
Bruce Johnson Highlander # 393
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
Builder web site:
http://www.bruceshighlander.blogspot.com
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marl59
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Location: Oakland, CA

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by marl59 »

I'd like to purchase the former from you as well.
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BDA
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Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BDA »

Ok
I will get some made up
Pm me your adress
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
User avatar
BDA
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Posts: 707
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
Location: Kenai Alaska

Re: Gap seal foam maker

Post by BDA »

Looks like the Aluminum will cost about $5, and shipping should be around $5, so looks like $10 for the cost on the plates.

I will have about 2 hrs of machine time in each one but that doesnt cost me anything.

The foam cutouts will be about $10 for each 6’ piece, plus shipping. I used 6’ on mine, but there is about 1” gap at the end.

I should have them done by the end of the week.

If you like them you can donate to the Taplin airplane fund.
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SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
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