Bob Hadley
Bob Hadley is the R&D manager for a California-based consumer products company. He holds a Sport Pilot certificate and a Light-Sport Repairman certificate with inspection authorization for his Jabiru J250-SP.
Assistance for Resistance
This month’s home shop project was suggested by Matt Burch. Matt sent a couple of photos of a cool time-saving tool he made to...
Case Hardening
Having a machine shop means never having to say, “I can’t make that.”
That occurred to me one afternoon when I was making a sprocket....
Accessory Stacking To Mill an Arc
Securely holding small parts for machining is always a challenge. The solution may be to use a work-holding gadget such as a pin vise...
Driver Upgrade for Avionics Trays
Installing small screws into the tight confines of a deep avionics tray is a challenge that can be both annoying and frustrating.
ERCuSi-A Silicon Bronze, the AlternaTIG Option
Last summer I had the chance to get some hands-on experience with TIG brazing. Other than a YouTube video or two, I knew next...
LSA Tail Stand
I decided I needed a tail stand after my transponder inspection last spring. A normal transponder inspection is pretty basic: Turn on the avionics...
Whatever Works!
One of the things that I learned from reading Paul Dye’s coverage of last year’s Reno Air Races was that everybody uses tape to...
Spinner Bulkhead Clocking
Spinner woes were the topic of midsummer musings on Van’s Air Force this year. Specifically, Bill from Virginia commented how, after getting his Hartzell...
Plug-Gapping Tool
If you read Paul Dye’s article “Automotive Plugs in Lycomings” in the August 2023 issue, you know that using inexpensive automotive-style single-electrode spark plugs...
Oil Filter Slicer-Off-Er
The process of inspecting an oil filter is not complicated. Slice the top off using a filter cutting tool. Extract the cartridge that holds...
In Case You Missed It
Shop Safety
This article covers what you should have learned in your high school shop class, but didn't, and more. It discusses safety glasses, proper treatment of chisels, gloves, jewelry, shop coats, hand tools, urban myths, safe shoes, hardware, biomechanics, capturing wayward chips, machinery placement in the shop, air-powered tools, cleanup, pneumatic cutting tools, and other common sense advice; by Bob Fritz.
Engine Beat
Exhaust systems do more than just get air into and out of aircraft engines. Exhaust system design, in terms of exhaust pipe length, diameter and tuning, affect the efficiency and performance of the engine, for better or worse.
