Canvas nose sheel cover replacement

[Jim Menconi]

I am just finishing a major annual on my PA 30B and need to replace the canvas nose wheel cover and can't find one on the market. Does anyone have any ideas on where to get a new one? My old one is destroyed and unavailable for making a new one. Webco said that there might be a demand for that as they just talked to someone who was looking at making a number to sell them. Is anyone else having this problem and if so, are you interested in working with me to have a bunch made and made available to members?
Jim

[Don Nelson]

Don't even know what shape mine is in, but sure, I'd like to see them available.
Count me in. What do you need?

Don

[Jim Menconi]

Don,
Thanks for responding, I am looking for an old one that isn't being used so that I can use it as a template to give to the person I am having make new ones. That way she can make an exact duplicate. I will use a fire retarded canvas just like what is used on the OEM. Stay tuned. Does anyone have an old one that I can use. I will return it after we use it to make the template.
Jim

[Don Nelson]

Dave Callon is parting out his twin - don't remember the model, but you might inquire if he has the cover. davecallon@comcast.net (from the Pathfinder)

Don

[N3322G]

Jim and Don,

Got a nice canvas one from Webco a decade or so ago - only flaw was it had an extra snap.

Washed it once at a commercial laundry and Hans N. suggested I protect the top most portion from further wear by lashing a spare piece of cut to fit baffle material to cushion the pointed part of the welded structure. So far, so good for 3 years now.

[Jim Menconi]

Pat,
I have talked to Webco and they don't have anymore in stock. They are the ones that said nobody is making them any longer. That is why I thought it would be good to see if anyone else needs one. I will see that there are some made to meed the members needs, if there are any.
Jim

[N3322G]

Jim,

I think Kristin Winter was also looking at this project - not sure but someone else was. If mine wasn't in such good shape, I'd be on the band wagon with you. Just got lucky on timing.

[jeffrey aryan]

Jim,

After you get a pattern try not to get the snaps preinstalled. My suggestion is to start from the Top center and work your way outward evenly. One mark or snap at a time. Mark the canvas with a pen pencil or something. Then install the snaps. It is not difficult, it takes about 4 hours to do. If you are close to Chino, Ca (So-Cal area) you could come over and I can help you out. I have the snaps and the tools to install them in the canvas. But you have to buy lunch.

Jeff

[Jim Menconi]

Jeff,
Thanks for the advice, I just contacted Kristin and she is letting me use her old cover as a template. I will let you know if I get confused. Thanks again, never know, I might take you up on that lunch deal.
Jim

[jeffrey aryan]

Sounds good,

[Francois Marquis]

Jim,

If at all possible, why not publish the dimensions/measurements you find of the various pieces. This is the kind of item that is easy enough to fabricate (or get made) once you have good starting point. ICS is a great placeholder for that kind of information and could benefit others, many years down the road.

Cheers!
Francois

[jeffrey aryan]

Francois,

FYI,

I believe it is next to impossible to give or get accurate dimensions for the canvas nose cover. One reason, over the years the canvas shrinks and stretches. By how much is really a unknown. Another problem is the placement of the snaps which again affects the exact shape of the canvas. Also I have seen a couple of covers with reinforced extra pieces swen around the top of the cover, again that affects the stretch and size along with the placement of the snaps.

Your idea is a good one, but I just don't think it will work. It would be nice if it did. FWIW.

Jeff Aryan

[Jim Menconi]

Thanks for the great ideas, I will be looking at the one Kristin has and check out the fit and shrinking. I will try and make a template to cut out the pieces with. I will also talk to the local aviation apholstery shop to see what they will charge to make the cover. Is there anyone out there that is interested in having one made. I am making it for the PA 30. Stay tuned,
Jim

[Andreas Riedel]

Hi Jim, I made a new cover for my Pa30 a while ago and used my old one as template. I kept the old one which is in pieces as they had to be messured individually. I will take the messuremants/ photos and post it. The new one fitted perfectly.

Andreas Riedel

[Jim Menconi]

Andreas,
That would be a great service to the members that want or need to make one in the future. Where are you located? I was going to use Kristin's as she is only 15 miles away and do the same with it as you did making yours. If you can make the drawings with measurments and angles listed along with pic's would be a great service. Thanks Andreas,
Jim