gummirat

Hi All, Firestone made them. They are gone as of about 2000. Bridgestone didn't want to continue mechanical goods so molds, prints etc. are gone. I've been trying for 4yrs to get prints, measurements to make the mold. I have a rubber formula that should work well for this (a modified tank pad rubber). Was trying to get Clarence M-20 doc to get me the dimensions off the o.e.m. ones he had but they run him off. Kevin Harburg has been a huge help on this so far and hope he hasn't lost faith in getting this done as I am probably going to need more of his input. Going to try to do it thru the FAA Varma program Mark

Happy Thanksgiving all, still hopeful. Mark

Hi All, here are the dimensions I need. these were taken from Kevins old part that was approx.40yrs old. Hope the pdf opens. Mount (2).pdf

Hi Thomas 1142, no these are for the mite sorry. If I can't get some unused dimensions this project it is dead in the water. Mark

Hey Kevin, still no response from the Smithsonian?

Hey Kevin Harberg, hear anything on the prints? Mark

Hi Kevin, here's to hope (fingers crossed). When I get it I 'll proceed to FSDO for approval. I hope there is enough interest to pull this off. Mark

Hi Bolter, Thanks for the offer, it's appreciated. I have an optical comparator available and the software to make the print. The issue is m-20 doc has the last 6 parts on earth and does not want to loan them out (understandable, with cost and no availability). I can have it measured and a print made in about a week (takes some time to sneak in between the regular production) mold will be about 6wks. and how ever long for approval.

Hey Kevin Harberg, any luck with the prints? Thanks Mark

Hi Ardvark 111, Thanks for the interest. this is how I want to proceed (VARMA) but I need a print, original or from a NOS part before I contact FSDO. there are only 6 NOS left that I know of. My machine shop owes me a favor so i can get it on the optical comparator and a print made cheap. I don't want to get rich just my cost and beer money. Mark

Hi Kevin, Thanks for doing that. I believe you are right it's proprietary to Firestone and they are gone, prints mold and all. Without a part to measure we are dead in the water. I don't believe IA/AP will install a part on someone's SWAG on how it should be and I don't blame them. As soon as the last part is installed it goes from a NOS to a used part and will be hard to sell those measurements to the powers that be. Mark

Turbo, no Lord hasn't done anything to me. They are a good company with the resources to do the job. I manufacture rubber parts and also consult and design. The m-18 parts are a better fit for me (Low volume, simple design). I have worked in the rubber industry for 45yrs. and 13 on my own. i work with a PMA holder on some parts so I know a little about that process. Yes, I know the tooling is expensive and certification also, hence the 2nd thoughts before doing a m-20 project.

Hi Alexz, The manufacturing process is the same. To do it would require PMA approval. Not impossible but another hurtle. Going up against Lord is like David(OMC R&D) and Goliath(Lord) if Goliath was 5ft taller and David a dwarf with one arm and arthritis. I have been trying to get this project going for 3yrs and it seems like herding cats. Mark

Hi All ,had a lab batch of the compound made and tested, 4300 lb tensile,600% elongation comp set 18% great numbers eh carusoam. m20doc any luck on the measurements? Kevin any luck on the print? I'm into this just south of 1k would like to see the interest or did I waste the money? Mark

Hi Kevin, I tried to find them on the site you posted and didn't find anything ( not saying much, I'm not a wiz at computers). If you can come up with the drawing that would put this project in getter done mode, I would proceed with the mold and certification process. Thanks Mark