|
Here is an area that may not get the attention
it deserves in our 30+ year old airframes, yes, the floorboards! After many
years the original plys of wood may have become weakened or possibly soaked with
gear transmission lubricants or hydraulic fluid from a brake master cylinder or
hose leak.
Here are some ways and material sources that
have been used by Beechcraft owners to get a renewed and possibly stronger board
in place as opposed to their 30+ year old materials.
Here is Bob S.'s handiwork after he went in to fix a leaking
master cylinder and couldn't bring himself to reinstall his ratty old weakened
boards. Bob reports using 1/4", 5 ply Baltic birch.
There are mail order sources for the wood but the shipping
will be expensive. Try some local lumber yards fist. The plywood comes in 5'x5'
sheets. Its identical to what another local used but paid about $65.00 for. Mine
cost about $20.00
Pics courtesy of Bob S., of Arizona! Thanks
Bob! 
When I did the floorboards of 23W, I used 1/4" Birch plywood
from Craftsmen Supply
http://www.craftsmensupply.com/
My local Craftsmen Supply place cut me a new board, using my
old one as a template and it was perfect. I just drilled the holes and gave it a
couple of coats of polyurethane varnish. Here is one of my boards, yeah, I know,
the other one is on the to-do list!
Other folks thoughts are as follows for material options:
Okoume or Marine plywood A full sheet purchase may be
required. If the sheet is cut into (2) 4' x 4' pieces it can ship UPS.
Be sure you get the 1088 grade no matter which thickness you
choose, (6mm will be the same as original thickness). The lesser grades can have
voids in the laminations and still meet the grade specs.
BeechTalker John L. Adds the following thoughts:
Greetings Mike...Great CSOB write-up as your
usual. I have an inexpensive source for the plywood. I have been in the flooring
business for over 35 years and we use a high quality, Russian/Birch plywood as a
subfloor for vinyl flooring installation. It is 5 ply and 1/4" thick plywood
with no voids.
A 4' x 5' sheet should retail for about $20.00. Anyone wanting to do this
modification might just check with your local flooring store!
If you're unsure how to approach the mechanics of the removal
and replacement of these boards, perhaps something to consider would be having
your A&P remove them for you. You then take them to a wood shop that sources the
plywood, they make the cuts and place the holes based on the existing board as a
template. You refinish them and submit them back to your A&P for inspection,
approval and re-insertion.
If you've got floorboard material solutions worthy of CSOB
acclaim please
E-mail me with the details!
|
Beechcraft
Floorboard Replacement & Spiff Up