I go buy a block of high strenght aluminum , go to a machine shop and ask them to make the lower part of the fork for my 182 just a bit wider.
Why wouldnt this work?

$2,000 is too much for a fork.

Yes my mechanic will sign it, I already asked him.

motoadve wrote:I go buy a block of high strenght aluminum , go to a machine shop and ask them to make the lower part of the fork for my 182 just a bit wider.
Why wouldnt this work?

$2,000 is too much for a fork.

Yes my mechanic will sign it, I already asked him.

Of course it MAY work. What's your point? If you're asking would it be legal in the US, the answer is no. Where you are? You'd have to ask the local folks.

MTV

Here will be legal, Im not worried about that.

My concern, will it work? What is the material used on Cessna forks?

I do not want it to fall apart at the first rough landing.

You may want to contact other .orgs too. Maybe start with EAA, Cessna.org (CPA) or similar .org ? They usually help without a fee.

But, heavily cross reference your data. You are going to be test pilot on your own.

Probably the most important part of the stc'd fork like a landes for a skylane, is the firewall reinforcement. Attach a burley enough fork to survive a rough landing, but bend you're firewall, you're sunk. I've seen guys put the nose wheel fork on with a bigger tire so they have 8's all around, but wondered why the heck you'd do that. It just makes it easier to prang the nose first or at the same time. Now the big bouncy mains with a upsized nosewheel appeals to me.

https://www.backcountrypilot.org/knowledge-base/aircraft/modifications/167-cessna-heavy-duty-nosewheel-fork

Landing on the nose first with 8.50s all around, is a non issue. Fly the airplane right and install the fork as per the stc(cut the 3-4" off the tube) and it works well. I believe the key is knowing your plane and making it a point to be gentle on the nose. I've put about 25hrs on mine this summer and love it!

As for the fabrication of the fork, it's a copy of a cherokee six fork, made of steel. Save the headache and buy the airglas fork for 2k. Theres more to it than telling a machine shop to make one wider. It's wider, taller, a block to attach the scissors will have to be made, axle, spacer, axle bolts, etc., etc., etc.

Ok Im not going to continue with the idea of the home made fork.
This is why I asked here.

Airglas seems like a good option.

motoadve wrote:Ok Im not going to continue with the idea of the home made fork.
This is why I asked here.

Airglas seems like a good option.

Very good idea!! Just buy the fork from Landes. At least the Landes fork has been engineered, tested, FAA approved and proven to be safe.

When it comes to planes and transporting/carrying passengers, safety and liability would be my number one concern!

I'm not sure how it is in Costa Rica, but before you think about installing a home built part (fork in this case) on your certified airplane, you better check with your insurance company about coverage. Because if that part fails and if there is also extensive damage to the airframe, your insurance company may tell you you're S.O.L. because you installed an unapproved part.

Just my two cents

I don't think the issue is whether you could successfully fab a fork that was just as good or 'better' than an approved fork. It isn't a complicated part. I would just be surprised if your machinist could possibly offer the fork at a price that offered a large savings over buying a used one or a new stc. All that even before considering the paperwork issues.

Good luck. But be prepared for the speed reduction...even a 6.00x6 on mine means 5-7 mph out the window, which surprised me. I have the 5 inch setup back on, and can swap out in about 2 hours.

If you do decide to have one made under a field approval, I'm fairly sure that you can use 2024 T3 billet and be reasonably comfortable with the structure. It costs a little more than 6061-T6, but the 2024 is 30% stronger approximately. 7075 alloy is way more expensive, and it is stronger. But, since you are designing the part you can make the fork to whatever wall thickness is appropriate for the alloy you are using.

Also, you would need to have some real engineering done as part of your design process. That costs money too.

However, the suggestions that have been made about using an already certified fork... probably the easiest and most efficient choice if you figure your time is worth anything.