Stupid Question from a newbie

Ok... I'm sure most anyone that reads this will think I'm an idiot, but
I'm so curious...

Could I build an ultralight airframe from EMT (electrical conduit) from
the local hardware store? I know that welding it would be inadvisable
due to the fact that it is galvanized (although I understand that
galvanizing can be 'stripped' thru use of an acid solution) but are
there other differences between standard hardware store emt tubing and
the steel tubing recommended for aircraft construction?

And now for the REALLLY stupid question... what about using PVC tubing?
I know that PVC is much more flexible than steel or aluminum tube, but
could it work? The reason I ask is because I keep thinking that if we
once made airframes out of wood, then wouldn't PVC be just about as
strong and more durable (long lasting?).

Rich

"expresstechonsite" wrote

Ok... I'm sure most anyone that reads this will think I'm an idiot, but
I'm so curious...

Could I build an ultralight airframe from EMT (electrical conduit) from
the local hardware store?

And now for the REALLLY stupid question... what about using PVC tubing?

Nope, and nope.

Both are not suitable for a number of reasons. EMT steel has no quality
tracking. It has poor weight to strength; way too heavy. It also is
brittle after welding. You would have a very heavy airplane, if you
compared it to typical aircraft steel tube.

PVC pipe is also very weak, for the weight. Added to that, the only way to
join them is with fittings, which do not give you many angles to use, and
they are weak, and split. The glue bonds are unreliable. Also, most of the
larger sized PVC pipes are foam core, and that makes them very weak, also.

I think you can't see the forest for the trees. The structure of the
airframe is a small price of a finished aircraft; the wheels, engine,
instruments, hardware, covering, and all the small bits are going to cost
you much more than the structure, perhaps by 3 or 4 times. (just a quick
guess)
--
Jim in NC

You can build an airplane out of 1030 mild steel tubing..
You can build an airplane out of wood and fabric...
You can build an airplane out of fiberglass and resin...
You can build an airplane out of plywood...

Go to the EAA site and order a couple of books... Tony BIngelis wrote
a good series... ALex Strojnik also has a great series of books...
REad and understand these two authors and you will be the new Burt
Rutan...

cheers ... denny

"Denny" wrote in message oups.com...
You can build an airplane out of 1030 mild steel tubing..
You can build an airplane out of wood and fabric...
You can build an airplane out of fiberglass and resin...
You can build an airplane out of plywood...

Go to the EAA site and order a couple of books... Tony BIngelis wrote
a good series... ALex Strojnik also has a great series of books...
REad and understand these two authors and you will be the new Burt
Rutan...

cheers ... denny



You can build a plane out of bamboo, plastic sheet, and duct tape...

I draw the line at duct tape...

denny

"Denny" wrote in message oups.com...
I draw the line at duct tape...

denny



I agree, but you gotta start somewhere! http://www.hang-gliding.com/history.html

http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Ra...ce/Icesail.htm

http://www.chronogram.com/issue/2005...k/hangtime.php

http://www.octanecreative.com/ductta...ten/index.html

In article . com,
"expresstechonsite" wrote:

Ok... I'm sure most anyone that reads this will think I'm an idiot, but
I'm so curious...

Could I build an ultralight airframe from EMT (electrical conduit) from
the local hardware store? I know that welding it would be inadvisable
due to the fact that it is galvanized (although I understand that
galvanizing can be 'stripped' thru use of an acid solution) but are
there other differences between standard hardware store emt tubing and
the steel tubing recommended for aircraft construction?

And now for the REALLLY stupid question... what about using PVC tubing?
I know that PVC is much more flexible than steel or aluminum tube, but
could it work? The reason I ask is because I keep thinking that if we
once made airframes out of wood, then wouldn't PVC be just about as
strong and more durable (long lasting?).

Not only would you not be the first to try, you would not be the first
to die or injure yourself resulting from said construction.

Quote on a T-Shrit I saw---

"I can fix anything"
"Where's the Dict tape"?

But it sure sounds fun to dream about it . . .

Gary G wrote:
But it sure sounds fun to dream about it . . .

So is dreaming about sleeping with a super model but neither is going to
happen. ;o)

Tony