Thursday, November 9, 2006

Turnbuckles

Turnbuckles may simply be replaced with new or the old ones may be inspected, cleaned, refinished and returned to service.   At $25 each it's an easy decision.  ( There are 10 turnbuckles in a Taylorcraft!)

When you disassemble the turnbuckles the first thing you'll notice is that one end has left hand threads.  That end is marked with a ring around the barrel.  The turnbuckles may be difficult to turn, soak them overnight in a penetrating oil.  Once you have them disassembled, clean all parts with a toothbrush and mineral spirits.

The barrels are made of bronze and are likely to have turned a dull gray color.  You can return them to a beautiful golden hue with a scotchbrite pad and some metal polish.  (Photo 2).  Clean the internal threads by screwing an old turnbuckle end in and out a few times with a drop of marvel mystery oil.

Turnbuckle ends are galvanized steel.  If the plateing is intact you may simply clean and reuse them.  But you're likely to find that most have a light surface rust starting.  (deeply rusted, pitted ends should be rejected)  Give them a light bead blasting to remove the rust and a double coat of epoxy primer.  (don't paint the threads!)

Small parts like turnbuckle ends may be blasted in a kitchen strainer like shown in Photo 3 or they may be attached to a board for blasting and painting like Photo 4.  I prefer mounting them to a board since it protects the threads from blasting and painting.

AC43.13 shows how to assemble and safety wire your turnbuckles.

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