Aviation Forums Aviation discussions newsgroups   Archives   FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  Think you've heard all the stupid questions people can ask?.          Aviation Forums Forum Index -> Light aircraft View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message expresstechonsite Guest Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 10:52 am    Post subject: Think you've heard all the stupid questions people can ask?. Ok... I'm sure most anyone that reads this will think I'm an idiot, but I'm so curious... Could I build an ultralight airframe from EMT (electrical conduit) from the local hardware store? I know that welding it would be inadvisable due to the fact that it is galvanized (although I understand that galvanizing can be 'stripped' thru use of an acid solution) but are there other differences between standard hardware store emt tubing and the steel tubing recommended for aircraft construction? And now for the REALLLY stupid question... what about using PVC tubing? I know that PVC is much more flexible than steel or aluminum tube, but could it work? The reason I ask is because I keep thinking that if we once made airframes out of wood, then wouldn't PVC be just about as strong and more durable (long lasting?). Rich Back to top expresstechonsite Guest Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 11:34 am    Post subject: Re: Think you've heard all the stupid questions people can a I should've also asked if there are any commonly available materials at the local homedepot or acehardware type stores that I could use to build my ultralight? Back to top JKimmel Guest Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 9:35 pm    Post subject: Re: Think you've heard all the stupid questions people can a expresstechonsite wrote: Quote: I should've also asked if there are any commonly available materials at the local homedepot or acehardware type stores that I could use to build my ultralight? Wood, glue, screws, nails, cable, cable swagers, paint, fiberglass, resin, plexiglass, etc. -- J Kimmel myname (AT) whereIwork (DOT) com www.metalinnovations.com "Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum." - When you have their full attention in your grip, their hearts and minds will follow. Back to top Dana M. Hague Guest Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 3:31 am    Post subject: Re: Think you've heard all the stupid questions people can a On 25 May 2006 22:52:46 -0700, "expresstechonsite" <rich (AT) expresstechonsite (DOT) com> wrote: Quote: Could I build an ultralight airframe from EMT (electrical conduit) from the local hardware store? Yes, you could. I would even be quite safe, since it would be too heavy to ever leave the ground. Quote: ...if we once made airframes out of wood, then wouldn't PVC be just about as strong and more durable (long lasting?). Don't even THINK about it. PVC has nowhere NEAR the strength to weight ratio of wood. When you build an aircraft, you use aircraft quality materials... if you want to live. -Dana -- -- If replying by email, please make the obvious changes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1200 bps used to seem so fast! Back to top Gilan Guest Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:11 am    Post subject: Re: Think you've heard all the stupid questions people can a OK Rich I'm sure your question is just a joke. or Are you trying to win a Darwin award??? -- Have a good day and stay out of the trees! See ya on Sport Aircraft group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/ "expresstechonsite" <rich (AT) expresstechonsite (DOT) com> wrote in message news:1148622766.013964.9680 (AT) g10g2000cwb (DOT) googlegroups.com... Quote: Ok... I'm sure most anyone that reads this will think I'm an idiot, but I'm so curious... Could I build an ultralight airframe from EMT (electrical conduit) from the local hardware store? I know that welding it would be inadvisable due to the fact that it is galvanized (although I understand that galvanizing can be 'stripped' thru use of an acid solution) but are there other differences between standard hardware store emt tubing and the steel tubing recommended for aircraft construction? And now for the REALLLY stupid question... what about using PVC tubing? I know that PVC is much more flexible than steel or aluminum tube, but could it work? The reason I ask is because I keep thinking that if we once made airframes out of wood, then wouldn't PVC be just about as strong and more durable (long lasting?). Rich Back to top Stache Guest Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:00 pm    Post subject: Re: Think you've heard all the stupid questions people can a Quote: Could I build an ultralight airframe from EMT (electrical conduit) from the local hardware store? I know that welding it would be inadvisable due to the fact that it is galvanized (although I understand that galvanizing can be 'stripped' thru use of an acid solution) but are there other differences between standard hardware store emt tubing and the steel tubing recommended for aircraft construction? And now for the REALLLY stupid question... what about using PVC tubing? I know that PVC is much more flexible than steel or aluminum tube, but could it work? The reason I ask is because I keep thinking that if we once made airframes out of wood, then wouldn't PVC be just about as strong and more durable (long lasting?). Rich You can build an aircraft out of anything you want, trying to get certificated to fly is a different story. Stuff that comes from you local hardware store does not meet aircraft standards and the material will fail. Engineers have spent a lot of time testing materials from nut, bolts, glues, woods, fibers, plastics and others material to make sure they can take the five major stresses. In flight the five major stresses compression, tension, shear, torsion, and bending are present and acting at the same time on every thing at once. You would have to know what stresses are at work and what type of material could take the stress. Electrical conduit is not one of the materials that can take stress or is PVC. 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