Need left cowl cheek support bracket, 66 M20C

[M20 Ogler]

While troubleshooting my ignition we found this bracket was broken. Anyone know where I should look?

[markgrue]

Can't you just weld it?

[M20 Ogler]

3 minutes ago, markgrue said:

Can't you just weld it?

Yeah, that might be what I end up doing 

[N201MKTurbo]

When I had an M20F my support rod broke just like yours. I welded it.

[M20 Ogler]

I’m not a welder but I’m willing to try. What kind of welder did you use? 

[MikeOH]

40 minutes ago, M20 Ogler said:

I’m not a welder but I’m willing to try. What kind of welder did you use? 

Not trying to be rude, but if you have not welded, you do NOT want to learn on YOUR aircraft.  Pay to have it done.

[Aaviationist]

20 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

Not trying to be rude, but if you have not welded, you do NOT want to learn on YOUR aircraft.  Pay to have it done.

I say go for it. You either fix it or you STILL have to get one from salvage. 

[MikeOH]

1 minute ago, Aaviationist said:

I say go for it. You either fix it or you STILL have to get one from salvage. 

Sure, if you're okay wrecking the one you have.  But you're now going to be out the cost of the welder and PPE.

[Kelpro999]

They keep showing up on eBay 

[M20F-1968]

19 hours ago, M20 Ogler said:

While troubleshooting my ignition we found this bracket was broken. Anyone know where I should look?

I may have one from when I restored my F and installed a J cowling.

John Breda

(617) 877-0025

emai: john.breda@gmail.com

[M20 Ogler]

4 hours ago, M20F-1968 said:

I may have one from when I restored my F and installed a J cowling.

John Breda

(617) 877-0025

emai: john.breda@gmail.com

Sent you a PM 

[M20E for me]

Take it to a muffler shop, they will weld it for $20.00.

[N201MKTurbo]

Getting that piece of angle at the end at the correct angle is very important. Just taking to a welder is probably a bad idea. You need to find some way to jig it. At the very least, just tack it on, take it to the plane and bend it till it is right and then have the welder finish the weld.

[Yetti]

These are great because you can run them off a regular outlet (or off an Heavy duty extension cord)    The two other tools would be a 4" grinder and the cut off tool

https://www.harborfreight.com/welding/welders/easy-flux-125-amp-welder-57861.html

I put new hinges on my hangar door with that little guy.

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/6-amp-3-in-high-speed-electric-cut-off-tool-59248.html

 

That is a tricky piece to weld.   Which is why it broke, they got no penetration on the angle iron. You are going to want to clean it up first,  reinstall it and clamp in place, then take it out to tack.  Then test fit.      If test fit tack does not go well, cut off and redo.  Then final weld. or take to muffler shop for final weld.  If you try  welding around electronics (radios and computers) stray voltage from the welder may pop them.   Keep the ground clamp close to the work.  In a closed hangar there may be gas fumes from your plane or someone else so you might want to work outside.

Clean up the splatter, sand and paint.

Some of these might help or also some needle nose vise grips.   https://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-welding-and-sheet-metal-clamp-set-30024.html

 

Edited January 2 by Yetti

[Yetti]

When you say we does that mean you and your A&P?   Why does your A&P not know how to weld?    Or at least braze it.

[EricJ]

23 minutes ago, Yetti said:

When you say we does that mean you and your A&P?   Why does your A&P not know how to weld?    Or at least braze it.

Most A&Ps can't be counted on to be good welders.   Welding is a skill that has best results with regular practicioners, and most A&Ps don't weld regularly and some haven't ever.   We did a little bit when I went to A&P school and it was nowhere near enough to be proficient, and it was only gas welding.  Welding is usually the sort of thing that is farmed out to a competent practicioner and "supervised" by an A&P.  Results are much better that way. 

[MikeOH]

@Yetti

 I honestly can't believe you think it's a good idea to suggest that someone who has never welded go out and buy a cheap HF welder and 'learn' on his Mooney.  Sorry, NOT a good plan.

[65MooneyPilot]

When I went to A&P school my instructor told the class over and over, this course is not to teach you how to weld. It is to teach the difference between a good weld and a bad one. On a certified aircraft you need a real welder. 

[M20 Ogler]

I appreciate everyone’s input here. I will get a replacement or have a certified welder repair my part. 

[Kelpro999]

3 hours ago, M20 Ogler said:

I appreciate everyone’s input here. I will get a replacement or have a certified welder repair my part. 

P/N 650032-003 is on EBay listed as cowl brace from BAS part sales.

[Brian2034]

Get it jigged where you think it should be, go to a welding shop have it tacked then go back to the aircraft and check its placement, With a good tack weld you can move it around a little to get it perfect, then go back and have it fully welded. It will be better than new!

It was welded 50 years ago, I’m sure any decent shop can make it new again.

[47U]

1 hour ago, Kelpro999 said:

I appreciate everyone’s input here. I will get a replacement or have a certified welder repair my part. 

If you remove the good support rod from the other side and take it to the welder with the broken one, they can get the angle(s) from the good one.  They can also check the good one for serviceability at the same time.

[Yetti]

On 1/3/2025 at 1:02 AM, MikeOH said:

@Yetti

 I honestly can't believe you think it's a good idea to suggest that someone who has never welded go out and buy a cheap HF welder and 'learn' on his Mooney.  Sorry, NOT a good plan.

I am suggesting he use a welder to tack it and then have a good welder weld it.   The funny thing here is it looks like the "professional" welder who did it last time did not get any penetration and that is why it broke.   So much for the professionals.  Also a good welder would have ground the rod so it fit properly into the angle steel before welding.

Edited January 8 by Yetti

[MikeOH]

1 hour ago, Yetti said:

I am suggesting he use a welder to tack it and then have a good welder weld it.   The funny thing here is it looks like the "professional" welder who did it last time did not get any penetration and that is why it broke.   So much for the professionals.  Also a good welder would have ground the rod so it fit properly into the angle steel before welding.

That approach wasn't clear from your first post.

And, yeah, finding a professional welder that is actually competent can be a problem, no doubt.