Annual Off to a Good Start

Jay Honeck wrote:
I'm using Torx on the plane I'm building in several access panel
locations.

That is SO smart.

Is it illegal to subsitute Torx (or square-drive) screws in
certificated aircraft? If so, why?

I doubt it. And please note that I'm only using them in non-strucural areas
with one exception. The top skin between the panel (which is a bulkhead in
my plane) and the firewall. This will allow me total access behind the
panel. Also remember that the design here is for blind rivets. And the
designer gave his blessing to the modification. There are going to be about
60 of the little buggers in there.

Mike Spera wrote:
Probably because no "airplane parts store" (including the highly
respected discounter o'them all, Chief) carries anything but
Phillips. .stuff snipped

I'm gonna replace stainless with stainless. They are a BIT harder
and don't rust up quite as bad. Stainless to speednut has never
been a problem insofar as I know.

.other stuff snipped

Now that we have broached the subject, where do you find stainless
threaded speed nuts. There are a pile of them used on Cherokees to
hold on the wing/stabilator tips (8-32 I believe). I have never been
able to get a source.

Anyone?

Thanks,
Mike

If one of these places don't have them they probably don't exsist.

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com/

http://www.mcmaster.com/ (Not Aircraft but great none the less)