Tail construction

[Kamcoman77]

Sounds like you are talking about hinges that look like this.

[jrbirdman47]

Yep! That looks like the general idea. What is the angle riveted to the gusset though? High speed aerodynamic strake to delay boundary layer separation? 

[Kamcoman77]

That is the support bracing for the rudder horn. The folded edges on the gusset are designed to ward off evil spirits.

[jrbirdman47]

OK, I see the slot cut through the gusset now, it all makes sense. Got the bushings installed and JB Welded in place today. And I thought T-88 was messy.

As to evil spirits, I already bent the gusset edges, but also bit the head off of a chicken and threw salt over my left shoulder under a full moon, so I should be good. 

[jrbirdman47]

Lipstick on the pig: Prototype of aluminum hinge we're mulling over. Segments 1 inch long in a two/ one configuration, glued/ riveted to the 3/4" tube and connected with a titanium pin. Hopefully save a couple of ounces.

[Kamcoman77]

Looks beautiful. If they are easy to mass produce, you should figure out a price and offer them for sale.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Looks beautiful. If they are easy to mass produce, you should figure out a price and offer them for sale.

They're not.. 

[jrbirdman47]

You're right, they aren't really a mass produceable part. We have the scrap aluminum material, machinery, and time to do it. If you're paying for all three of those I'd guess a set for the LE would be $300- $400. Not counting the Titanium pins, and lets face it, if you're spending those kinds of bucks on the hinges, you're not going to go with some vanilla hinge pin material like steel.