takair Posted April 14, 2020 Report Posted April 14, 2020 One of the joys of FAA-PMA is the strict adherence to traceability, material specs, and approved suppliers. With that said, maybe Mooneyspace can help me. Our step kits have a brace that is 2024T3- 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/16” aluminum extrusion. I suddenly and surprisingly can not source this. It is usually available from Spruce or Wick’s, but they can’t seem to get it either. I’ve Googled and called other typical aviation names, but no joy. Anybody have recommendations? 6061 and 6063 seem abundant, but that’s not what’s on our drawing. Yes, it would physically work and I may need to resort to a drawing update, but our structural analysis called out 2024. Have a call with the MIDO tomorrow to start the process, but it would be easier if I could get a few feet of traceable 2024 to hold me over. Until then, the electric step retrofit kits may be another victim of COVID-19 (I’m assuming the shortage is somehow related). Thanks, Rob Quote
MB65E Posted April 14, 2020 Report Posted April 14, 2020 Does it have the bead on one of the edges? However, My 16in left over might be 6061. It was hard to find I got it online at some metal shop. I used it to remake the prop gov cable attachment. -Matt 1 Quote
orionflt Posted April 14, 2020 Report Posted April 14, 2020 Rob, try california power systems: https://www.cps-parts.com/catalog/mepages/alumangle.php Brian 1 Quote
takair Posted April 15, 2020 Author Report Posted April 15, 2020 42 minutes ago, MB65E said: Does it have the bead on one of the edges? However, My 16in left over might be 6061. It was hard to find I got it online at some metal shop. I used it to remake the prop gov cable attachment. -Matt No bead on the one I need. Thanks for checking. Unfortunately, I need to be able to show traceability. Typical hardware store material is actually more than adequate for this application, but the structures guy at the ACO wasn’t going to buy that off due to lack of traceability (guaranteed repeatability). Quote
takair Posted April 15, 2020 Author Report Posted April 15, 2020 23 minutes ago, orionflt said: Rob, try california power systems: https://www.cps-parts.com/catalog/mepages/alumangle.php Brian Perfect. Will call them in the morning! Hope they don’t source from Spruce..lol. My searches didn’t show them. Quote
takair Posted April 15, 2020 Author Report Posted April 15, 2020 49 minutes ago, orionflt said: Rob, try california power systems: https://www.cps-parts.com/catalog/mepages/alumangle.php Brian Oh no. Looks like they and Spruce are both Irwin companies. Looks like I’m still on the hunt.... thank you though. Quote
orionflt Posted April 15, 2020 Report Posted April 15, 2020 oh no, I was hoping they were independently sourced, Brian Quote
Hank Posted April 15, 2020 Report Posted April 15, 2020 (edited) I've seen people advertising plate, square and round 2024, but no angles. Want to buy 3/4" square stock and mill out the inside? Metalsupermarkets.com Edited April 15, 2020 by Hank Quote
jaylw314 Posted April 15, 2020 Report Posted April 15, 2020 2 hours ago, takair said: One of the joys of FAA-PMA is the strict adherence to traceability, material specs, and approved suppliers. With that said, maybe Mooneyspace can help me. Our step kits have a brace that is 2024T3- 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/16” aluminum extrusion. I suddenly and surprisingly can not source this. It is usually available from Spruce or Wick’s, but they can’t seem to get it either. I’ve Googled and called other typical aviation names, but no joy. Anybody have recommendations? 6061 and 6063 seem abundant, but that’s not what’s on our drawing. Yes, it would physically work and I may need to resort to a drawing update, but our structural analysis called out 2024. Have a call with the MIDO tomorrow to start the process, but it would be easier if I could get a few feet of traceable 2024 to hold me over. Until then, the electric step retrofit kits may be another victim of COVID-19 (I’m assuming the shortage is somehow related). Thanks, Rob Have you tried calling Van's Aircraft? Their kit factory in Aurora, OR sells stock for some pretty reasonable prices, and they do have a stock catalog in ASCII text (although it's tough to find on their website, you might have to call to ask). 1 Quote
Hank Posted April 15, 2020 Report Posted April 15, 2020 Check saf.com they do a lot with aluminum. I generally buy steel for work, only occasionally dabble with the soft stuff. 1 Quote
Hank Posted April 15, 2020 Report Posted April 15, 2020 These folks look good, too--http://www.tailwindaerospacesolutions.com/specialty-tubes-extrusions.cfm#2 Happy hunting! 2 Quote
takair Posted April 16, 2020 Author Report Posted April 16, 2020 Thanks for the replies. Only Tailwind was able to find it, from a third party, but the price was a 10 to 20X increase from what I was paying. This would have been a substantial increase in kit prices. Nobody seems to know why this became so hard to come by. Anyway, we are doing a drawing change to 6061T6, which is more than adequate for the intent. Should have minimal production impact and no price impact on the kits. Thanks for all who offered advice, I did contact each supplier listed above. Rob Quote
MB65E Posted April 16, 2020 Report Posted April 16, 2020 I have purchased from these guys as well. https://www.aluminummanufacturers.org/bralco-metals-inc/ Bralco Metals -Matt Quote
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