nondem wrote:
I've started on my plane!!!!

I have a couple of questions that should be easy for you guys to
answer...

The first one is almost stupid but I'm anal about these things: What
grit of sand paper is ideal for sanding/deburring the cuts I've made in
6061-T6? The saw/blade I used really did a good job to the point that
it almost doesn't need sanding but like I said - I'm anal about this
stuff.

The second question is more technical: I'd planned to use 6061-T6 plate
in .125" thickness for my gussets. I've found a source for plate in the
same sizes but in 5052 w/no "-" number listed.
I looked up the numbers and 5052 appears to have very similar strength
to 6061. Can someone advise me if using 5052 is advisable and if I need
to look for a specific "-" number?
The 5052 is only slightly cheaper but much easier to find...I'm
interested in doing the job right.


The *-* number is commmonly referred to as 'the temper', it tells
you how the material has been heat-treated. That is really important
as the strength depends on it. If you buy the material in the
annealed state, which is the softest state, you'll need to get it
hardened. That in turn, is non-trivial.

6061 has good corrosion resistance, I dunno about 5052. Electrolytic
Corrosion is always a consideration when mixing alloys.

Respectfully, you should be at least as anal about material choice
as about finishing the cut edges. Speaking of that, I suggest
you get a 'multipack' of sandpapers and work your way down
through the grits until the edge is shiny without visible scratches.
Then you can guage how much of what grits you'll need to buy.

BTW: Here is where I'm at on the build...

http://68.35.241.46/plane/index.htm

Looks good. Thanks for putting up your pages.

--

FF