jackc Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 I am specifically looking to replace the tailwheel assembly on my Aeropup, seems there are sources overseas but not in AU that I can find. Will be needing a few other bits and pieces as I go along. I have a main wheels upsize and disc brake kit that came from the U.S? But can get tyres here. Be a lot easier IF I can source requirements locally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man emu Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Jack, The market in Australia is too small for manufacturing low demand stuff such as your tailwheel assembly. Anyone who sells them in Australia is an importer. Your option is to investigate the cheapest freight costs from the USA and buy from a US supplier. Another option is to buy used from an aircraft dismantler, or fellow owner. Try this mob http://aviationsalvage.com.au/contact.html 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetrack Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Jack - Make your own - this bloke did. It's not like the tail wheel carries a lot of weight or is a critical component. A couple of pieces of T6061 alloy, cut and smoothed to the desired shape, bolted to an aluminium block centrepiece, a bushing and bolt, and a suitable proprietary light castor wheel, finishes it all off! https://www.kitplanes.com/do-it-yourself-tailwheel/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yenn Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 You will get much better service if you go to the States and at a much lesser price. I had to replace all control cables on my Corby and to buy them in Australia was about ten times as much as from Aircraft Spruce and also a lot quicker. What really pissed me off was that the same day as the new cables arrived CASA changed their minds and allowed inspection, rather than replacement. Anyone want a set of Corby control cables, only used once. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackc Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 26 minutes ago, onetrack said: Jack - Make your own - this bloke did. It's not like the tail wheel carries a lot of weight or is a critical component. A couple of pieces of T6061 alloy, cut and smoothed to the desired shape, bolted to an aluminium block centrepiece, a bushing and bolt, and a suitable proprietary light castor wheel, finishes it all off! https://www.kitplanes.com/do-it-yourself-tailwheel/ What a great piece of work that is 🙂. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tillmanr Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Aircraftspruce has an Australian agency who I have used effectively. The prices end up being about the same as the parent group in the US because of freight costs. They are pretty prompt too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackc Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 Just now, tillmanr said: Aircraftspruce has an Australian agency who I have used effectively. The prices end up being about the same as the parent group in the US because of freight costs. They are pretty prompt too. Yes, checked out their WEB site but......what a mess, scrolled around but it’s hard to find what you want. Be interesting to see how much inventory they have, but never got that far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey_C Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 I got mine direct from Matco in the USA, scary how heavy it is though! I won't know if it's useable until we're back together and can do a W&B :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 The weight is a problem for the smaller stuff. A lot of it is in the spring. Nev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackc Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 1 minute ago, facthunter said: The weight is a problem for the smaller stuff. A lot of it is in the spring. Nev One of my first investments will be a set of scales 🙂. I will weigh the current setup and work from there, but the design suggested by onetrack has given me some ideas, just need to source a wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey_C Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Bunnings Aerospace? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackc Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 Just now, Mikey_C said: Bunnings Aerospace? Would not buy balsa from there to build a kids hand chuck glider 🙂 Left my plastic Bunnings barrow in the Sun and...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey_C Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 So you have a tailwheel already then! Haha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackc Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 Not a snowflake’s chance in hell 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 It's nearly ALL $#!t. Bunnings sell the cheapest landfill in Australia. You can still get Suttons drills , dies ,taps and adjustable reamers. Nev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetrack Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Jack - Richmond Wheel and Castor Co will see you right for a good quality, Australian-made wheel, that will do the job. Have a chat to their engineering team. https://www.richmondau.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacesailor Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Next time you buy plastic !. PAINT IT. It does wonders for those cheap plastic buckets, only need the bumend on the outside. Even the cheap watering can stays in one piece after a quick spray with the old paint bomb. BUT What do l do with my Steering Wheel !. 1998, not That old ( is it ), the top half has crazy paving cracks but the other half is like New. AND NO l can,t turn it over. spacesailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetrack Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 (edited) Here ya go, Spacey. https://newliferepairs.com.au/services/steering-wheel/ If this option is too expensive, go to the wreckers and buy a secondhand wheel in good condition. Don't forget you'll need a steering wheel puller - available from all auto parts shops. Edited January 23, 2021 by onetrack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacesailor Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 (edited) Had a look . BUT My wheel is Mitsubishi Excèed, with wood type interior. Probably plastic but looks good, in a Delica Van. I would put a Pajero Exceed on, If l knew it would fit, with all those electric bits. Many thanks, for the link spacesailor Edited January 23, 2021 by spacesailor Missed Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tillmanr Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Purchase a leather cover you lace on. Needle and thread included usually. About $20 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmccarthy Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Or wear driving gloves to avoid splinters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacesailor Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Gloves are double good ! as they stop the Burn, when the steering wheel has sat in the sun all day. The Delica has a very large front screen. spacesailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now