Looking for Travel boards to buy, rent or borrow in the Detroit area

[Doug sytsma]

Looking for some Travel Boards to use in the DTW area.  If the price is reasonable, I would be willing to buy them or rent them. I am have a difficult time finding anyone in the area that might be willing to rent / loan them out.

Thanks

Doug S

[kortopates]

I'll just share my perspective on this, I don't have a complete set but just one of them. They are model specific and I don't know if for example mine which included later models through K did includes the A. They are already very rare, if the A isn't the same as what followed it will be very hard to find. But biggest problem I find is that these are very fragile for shipping and the elevator one I own for example had to be packed in a large near 5 to 6' tall box which cost me $175 to ship! With the expense and risk in shipping the odds are very much against borrowing them. I do believe they are available for purchase through Mooney through any MSC although it may awhile to get one. 

[EricJ]

I'll offer another moderately controversial opinion:   Use a large protractor and/or a digital level instead.   In A&P school we only had travel boards for our Yankees (AA-1 and AA-1A) and just used protractors and levels for everything else.   On the Yankees the travel boards weren't any better than the other methods and were arguably worse sometimes.

The protractors we had were like this but longer:

https://www.amazon.com/Westcott-Protractor-Measuring-Tool-GO-180/dp/B01HF9PEA4

 

[Guest]

Isn’t there an MSC in Lapeer Michigan?  Perhaps they can help you out.

Clarence

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard Doug!

Best regards,

-a-

[Doug sytsma]

Yes, there is a MSC in Lapeer.  I will need to give them a call.  Not sure if they would rent them or loan them out but it is worth a try.  I am actually working on a M20C. that is flying with a wing heavy.  My A is flying great.  Mainly, I want to see where flaps are sitting with them retracted.  If i need to, I can use another plane that I know is correct as a 3D blue print to make a reference board.  Then I can use a protractor from there.  The travel board would just be easier.

Doug

[carusoam]

6 minutes ago, Doug sytsma said:

Yes, there is a MSC in Lapeer.  I will need to give them a call.  Not sure if they would rent them or loan them out but it is worth a try.  I am actually working on a M20C. that is flying with a wing heavy.  My A is flying great.  Mainly, I want to see where flaps are sitting with them retracted.  If i need to, I can use another plane that I know is correct as a 3D blue print to make a reference board.  Then I can use a protractor from there.  The travel board would just be easier.

Doug

Typical methodology of MSCs... it’s a tool they have to perform the service on your plane....

But, no two MSCs are alike...  it may make sense to go visit, and discuss what you have in mind...  making sure you have/get the specs and the tool that match your airframe... and the procedures that go with it...

M20A documentation can be awfully slim...  some important parts are different then all the M20Bs and later...

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic..

Best regards,

-a-