Does anyone have Experience with Making Fuel Dipsticks for an M20C?

[BDPetersen]

Thanks. Much appreciated. Is that for the 6 bladder system?

[takair]

  On 1/4/2023 at 12:07 PM, BDPetersen said:

Thanks. Much appreciated. Is that for the 6 bladder system?

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Yes.

[Mooney Flyer]

Yes, it is easy.  First, understand that gallons in the tank will not be linear.  Start with empty tank and wooden 1/2" square 15" stick.  Five gallons in tank.  Mark at wetness point.  Five more and so on.  Now you have a stick with 5 gallon points, 30 min.  On my stick on one side I have time, the other gallons.  Mark the stick or another one which is going to be the one you carry.  Give it three coats of good urethane varnish.  Mine for a 63C has lasted 30+ years.

[Fly Boomer]

  On 1/14/2023 at 8:14 PM, Mooney Flyer said:

Yes, it is easy.  First, understand that gallons in the tank will not be linear.  Start with empty tank and wooden 1/2" square 15" stick.  Five gallons in tank.  Mark at wetness point.  Five more and so on.  Now you have a stick with 5 gallon points, 30 min.  On my stick on one side I have time, the other gallons.  Mark the stick or another one which is going to be the one you carry.  Give it three coats of good urethane varnish.  Mine for a 63C has lasted 30+ years.

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I have wondered how well the 100LL would "stick" to a painted or varnished surface.  The guy who sticks the underground tanks at a local airport smears something on the stick to make the line more visible.

[Pinecone]

  On 1/14/2023 at 8:22 PM, Fly Boomer said:

I have wondered how well the 100LL would "stick" to a painted or varnished surface.  The guy who sticks the underground tanks at a local airport smears something on the stick to make the line more visible.

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Are you sure that is what it is for?

Normally, when you dip underground tanks, you put a smear of water indicating paste.  It turns color when water touches it.

[Fly Boomer]

  On 1/14/2023 at 8:48 PM, Pinecone said:

Are you sure that is what it is for?

Normally, when you dip underground tanks, you put a smear of water indicating paste.  It turns color when water touches it.

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He applied it near the middle of the stick, not near the bottom where the water would be, and he told me it was to help identify the line between wet and dry.  That said, maybe he was using it incorrectly.

[MikeOH]

I just use an untreated Home Depot paint stick with Sharpie markings.  Five years in and the markings are still fine.  Wet line is obvious on the wood but evaporates by the time I get to the other tank.

[DonMuncy]

If you want to be fancy, you can cut grooves in your stick and fill them with JB Weld. 

[Pinecone]

  On 1/15/2023 at 7:26 PM, DonMuncy said:

If you want to be fancy, you can cut grooves in your stick and fill them with JB Weld. 

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Using laser engraving, of course.