Cutting Landing Light holes in LE

A forum in which to discuss topics that are not specific to a particular series of aircraft (ie. how to cut alclad)
Post Reply
User avatar
Lorin Dueck
Class D
Posts: 252
Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2005 2:12 pm
Location: San Jose, CA
Contact:

Cutting Landing Light holes in LE

Post by Lorin Dueck »

Ok all -

Here's another newbie question.
I've received 2 Duckworks Landing Lights and will soon be ready to start cutting the leading edge for them.

So -> What tool(s) work best?
After watching PK's recent router video I'm leaning toward my Rotozip.
It's lightweight, rotary, and can probably do a decent job.

Also - any "watchouts"?
I'd rather not have to rebuild my leading edges....

Thanks,

Lorin D
9A Wings
(N194LD reserved)

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

The dremel tool with the abrasive disk, followed by the carbide cutter and then the drum sander.

An excellent, precise, fast process that is hard to beat!

Give it a try!

No gotchas except for accidently putting the template on upside down!!!

:o CJ

BTW, NO... I didn't do it! I have heard of others who have though!
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
Lorin Dueck
Class D
Posts: 252
Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2005 2:12 pm
Location: San Jose, CA
Contact:

Post by Lorin Dueck »

hmmmmm
... "excellent, precise, fast process"
sounds good to me :good job:
Thx CJ.

BTW - I did a little more research on past posts.
Do you have a pic of your LE fix after the "bucking bar" incident??

Lorin D

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

Yup, I did. I think I have some uploaded here. I am heading to school right now and will check later, but I did a standard fix accorsing to 43.13.

My DAR told me about a "bullethole patch" like they did back in WWII that is just a plate that can go either inside or outside of the ding. I stop drilled it and put the plate on the inside.

It worked out just fine.

OH, I also prosealed it into place to minimize and vibration cracking later on down the road.

:) CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

bmurrish
Class D
Posts: 482
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:42 am
Location: Colorado Springs

Post by bmurrish »

Lorin, I second CJ's use of the dremil tool. Worked great for me. I used the little barrel type sanding fitting to clean it up.
Bill Murrish
RV-8 Fuselage

Post Reply