The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Jimmy M. wrote:Miles.....how thick is the plate ?????
Thanks........Jim

I haven't actually measured it but I'd guess in the neighborhood of 1/2" to 5/8". It appears that the one John R. has photos of (steel?) was roughly copied from the aluminum one.

cessna170bdriver wrote: I haven't actually measured it but I'd guess in the neighborhood of 1/2" to 5/8". It appears that the one John R. has photos of (steel?) was roughly copied from the aluminum one.

I think the one I saw was made of aluminum. No more than 1/2" thick, maybe 7/16".

jrenwick wrote:

cessna170bdriver wrote: I haven't actually measured it but I'd guess in the neighborhood of 1/2" to 5/8". It appears that the one John R. has photos of (steel?) was roughly copied from the aluminum one.

I think the one I saw was made of aluminum. No more than 1/2" thick, maybe 7/16".

Thanks John, I just assumed steel since the discoloraton where the paint is missing appears to be rust in the photo. Steel would be very much overkill. I haven't even been to the airport in two weeks, and it looks like it will be at least Wednesday before I can get out there, but I 'll try to get some basic measurements to post.

Miles, do you have the ability to draft this into an acad file? If someone can that would be awesome. It would be easy to mill then.

canav8 wrote:Miles, do you have the ability to draft this into an acad file? If someone can that would be awesome. It would be easy to mill then.

Sorry, I don't have AutoCAD capability, but I'll try to get enough dimensional data for someone else to draw it up.

cessna170bdriver wrote:...I'll try to get enough dimensional data for someone else to draw it up.

Will this do it?

Miles, can you add the measurements of where the diamond beads are in the non slip portion of the step. The width of the edge and the distances of the trap. thanks. DOug

Canav

Maybe where the name 'Firstep" is you can replace with milling in the TIC170A......would make a nice stocking stuffer at Christmas



W.

W. or anyone else, can anyone give me an accurate number on how many that might be?

canav8 wrote:Miles, can you add the measurements of where the diamond beads are in the non slip portion of the step. The width of the edge and the distances of the trap. thanks. DOug

The width of the edge around the diamonds is 3/16". I'm not sure what you mean by "trap". I think the only critical measurements to make sure it works properly are those of the slot. Anything else would just be style. I took the photo from straight on, so any measurements not shown should scale off of it close enough. I was thinking of just using non-skid wing walk material or paint instead of milling the diamonds. Another option might be to make a mold of some sort if anyone has access to a foundry?

I think the extra milling processes are merely cosmetic. Wing-walk paint or stick-on non-skid sandpaper is available from most marine/boat stores, if anyone really wants such a feature. (And copying such a previous design so closely may make infringement arguments even more difficult to defend.)

In my opnion, WEIGHT is important. This should be made of aluminum, not steel.

How many? is always such a difficult question. If you plan to do this commercially, virtually every Cessna taildragger is a potential customer. I can see 300-400 of them going to our own members, depending on price. I'd not expect anyone to be willing/happy to pay much over $40.

I would be weary of using a material harder than the gear leg. If any weight is put on such a small surface area, one would run the risk of making indentations upon the gear leg and could result in "weak-spot." I would be inclined to make the notch a bit bigger so that two peices of heavy rubber tubing could be cut and placed on either side of the notch. This would accomplish two things, 1st to increase friction and reduce slippage and 2. would guard against a metal to metal contact.

Joel
N3437D

n3437d wrote:I would be weary of using a material harder than the gear leg. If any weight is put on such a small surface area, one would run the risk of making indentations upon the gear leg and could result in "weak-spot." I would be inclined to make the notch a bit bigger so that two peices of heavy rubber tubing could be cut and placed on either side of the notch. This would accomplish two things, 1st to increase friction and reduce slippage and 2. would guard against a metal to metal contact.

Joel
N3437D

The aluminum step is softer that the steel gear leg, but I do worry about chippng the paint on the leg. The original used cork on the beveled edges of the slot. The cork on mine is missing in spots, and I'm not using the step until I can replace it, which I'm not in a rush to do, as '98C has never had wheel pants and I just step up on the tire.

Stepping on the tire may be well and good for you "giants" but being barely 5'5" tire doesn't do me much good.

No I am not looking to make these commercially. In all honesty they would not be able to be mass produced in this country. It would be cost prohibitive. The time for this would be huge. I was seeking to get an idea to see if I can make them for myself as I think they are a suitable alternative then the bolt on strap steps that you see widely used. The other beauty is that they are easily adjustable for a comfortable height for you to step on. It is a rather ingenious design. Being aluminum they definitely will not hurt the gear leg. The only thing I can see is scratching the paint. neoprene I think is the solution there but I need to see if I can acurately make them first. Milling out a diamond grid for the anti slip surface would help to reduce weight. I see these things weighing about 9 oz or so after completion. Doug