Frustration with leaf spring

02/09/2013

Tail Wheel

Was planning on putting on the wings today but the weather started looking bad. Decided against setting up outside because I really don't want it to get rained on. Instead started working on the leaf spring. Am a little frustrated because it won't bend where I want it to bend. The trim tab is about 2 1/2" from the wheel when on a saw horse. When it's off, it's about 1/2". And when I sit in it, it touches. Looking at it and realized that the wheel I'm using extends the leaf spring about 4". So, I cut off 3 1/2" and shaped the end of it. Now it looks like it'll clear. If it still hits when I'm all done, I'll just replace the whole thing with a steel on or design a compression spring version.