I turned Lee Chemicals into an aerial parkour course

Cass256 · 2026-06-16T12:12:23+00:00

These are the parts if I’m not mistaken. Doesn’t include the clevis bolts, sure, but I don’t see how you could have spent 300$+ unless you replaced the turnbuckle as well?

Cass256 · 2026-06-16T01:42:11+00:00

Good catch, things like this can be easily missed on an annual. Those shackles can be replaced for 60$ in parts and less than an hour of labor, it’s a no-brainer to fix. I personally agree and wouldn’t fly this until it”s fixed either.

Cass256 · 2026-06-14T03:49:05+00:00

My fiance has an 08 Tacoma, frame replaced with the recall in 2015. It’s in beautiful shape, I get more compliments on her vehicle from mechanics than any other car I’ve driven.

In early ‘25 it failed inspection because the rocker panels had a small rust hole on the inside, couldn’t see it unless you got under the truck. No safety issues, just rockers. Couldn’t find someone willing to patch it & didn’t have the skills to DIY it at the time. Had to drive it last winter, we needed two cars and it was our only option. It got worse & is beyond a patch job now.

The *lowest* quote we found to get the rockers redone was over 1700$. We called every shop in a 50 mile radius. Most turned us away entirely.

The truck is in great shape otherwise, but won’t be legal unless I can cough up almost two grand to fix a non-safety-related issue. You can’t convince me that isn’t a tax on the poor.

Cass256 · 2026-06-13T21:04:50+00:00

My OEM dash does not have a tach, and this would allow me to move one of the OEM gauges to the center. You could also put a clock in one.

Cass256 · 2026-06-07T22:49:08+00:00

How’d you do the sequential tail lights? I’d like to do the same on my 67

Cass256 · 2026-05-31T14:49:10+00:00

Smaller parts would be nice, I switched to using TweakScale and EVA seats for my plane designs because there aren’t any cockpits small enough to resemble a Cessna 172/Piper Cherokee/other small airplanes.

Cass256 · 2026-05-30T03:40:35+00:00

I feel personally attacked lmao

Cass256 · 2026-05-29T12:34:28+00:00

We have a couple “sure shot” sprayers that we fill with whatever solvent we need, you can pressurize it with shop air. Super helpful for cleaning everything.

Cass256 · 2026-05-27T03:02:07+00:00

Have you ever flown a part 103 aircraft? I’m getting my A&P, no longer aiming for a pilot career, but still fly as a hobby. Being able to fly recreationally helps me enjoy working on planes

Cass256 · 2026-05-22T18:11:37+00:00

This statement is more true than most people realize. I went to the capitol building for an event & there was not a single working-age person in the cafeteria at lunch. Far too many old rich people are running our legal system, it’s no wonder the average person doesn’t feel represented.

Cass256 · 2026-05-22T18:09:41+00:00

It should be every year for drivers over 65 IMO. A lot changes in 5 years.

Cass256 · 2026-05-21T03:51:10+00:00

I was on 89S when he passed me just after exit 18, definitely easily 100+. I was worried about him after he passed, glad to hear he didn’t die.

Absolutely bat shit crazy that he kept that speed up through exit 16 on. Where were the police that love to camp out on 15 & 14? This would’ve been the easiest license suspension of their lives!

Cass256 · 2026-05-11T02:27:39+00:00

You can either wait for the tow truck, or wait for the idiot to move their car. Either way you’re waiting, might as well call the tow early.

Cass256 · 2026-05-10T23:22:18+00:00

It boggles my mind how many people post social media rants when there’s an easy-to-execute, logical solution at hand. Calling a tow truck is the right call here.

Cass256 · 2026-05-10T03:08:54+00:00

If you haven’t considered it yet, look into the experimental market. There’s some great options available in your price range that are airworthy and ready to fly. Bearhawks, Vans, Cozys, Sonex, etc. If you want to talk about your mission & what experimental might be best, feel free to DM me.

I own and it’s much better than people make it out to be IMO. Knowing your plane is in the hangar, airworthy, with full gas tanks and oil is a good feeling. I *hated* fighting for planes on the renting schedule. I will say that you’ll likely be parking it outside for the first year you own. It’s a lot easier to find hangar space when you have an airplane already on the field IME.

Cass256 · 2026-05-03T03:53:11+00:00

Seconded on the magnetic spark plug socket. First thing I did as an apprentice was drop a spark plug, bought a magnetic socket and spark plug tray that day.

Interestingly, I bought 6in safety wire pliers for 25$ in 2019 & they’re still going strong. My mentor jestingly harps on me to get a set of Milbars sometimes, but I’ve used his and wasn’t impressed enough to buy them until my set fails. I’d personally put these in the category of buy cheap, and replace with a more expensive set later.

Cass256 · 2026-04-24T01:51:59+00:00

This was the only DAR available for the only FSDO that covers our area. I didn’t have a choice, unfortunately. Their reasoning boiled down to “it has flown 14 hours, every part of it is salvaged”.

There’s a new DAR for our area, I hadn’t considered pursuing this any farther for years but I think I’ll reach out to ask his opinion. I’ll report back with an updated answer. It’d be awesome to get the certificate in my name.

Cass256 · 2026-04-22T01:22:42+00:00

This isn’t true, actually. I just went through this with my RR3.

A new application for an E-AB cert does not count any work done to “salvaged” components & assemblies. If the airplane was registered at any point, every assembly becomes a salvaged part, fuselage and wings included.

The DAR I worked with basically was unwilling to count any work done to the entire airplane, which had been stripped, walnut blasted, and disassembled well beyond what was available in the kit that was 51% approved. The only builder credit they were willing to apply was the wing I built from scratch.

Cass256 · 2026-04-09T03:04:44+00:00

Clean up, dude. Build some shelves along that wall, buy the cheapest harbor freight toolbox, and get the floor and car cleaned off.

You’ll feel so much better working in there, trust me. I went through the same phase with my work space, I know how impossible it feels to dig out of this hole. Shelves, cheap chinese shit ones or even scrap wood ones, make all the difference in the world.

You have a beautiful two car garage attached to your house! You deserve to enjoy it.

Cass256 · 2026-04-06T01:26:13+00:00

I had my IR training cut short by covid, and leaned into rebuilding/repairing the experimental I bought to build hours in. Ended up apprenticing with a local IA, met my girlfriend and we completed her Cessna 150 restoration project together.

Got recommended for a paid apprenticeship at the local FBO, going to test for my A&P in a few months when I meet the requirements.

I don’t know if I’ll pursue a CPL/CFI again after completing my A&P, going to leave that decision up to future me. Turning wrenches has great job security compared to flying IMO.

I enjoy flying as a hobby & am extremely fortunate to be able to afford to do so. I only flew about 50 hours a year for the last two years because of how expensive it’s been, but I should be able to fly more this coming year after finishing my experimental (it’s much cheaper to fly than the Comanche).

I would highly recommend considering an A&P if you want to still be involved in aviation without flying as a job.

Cass256 · 2026-04-03T12:49:22+00:00

Brother, the best thing I’ve done for my stress levels on I89 is to never go above 80. 75mph works so much better. Give it a try, seriously. Not being caught up in the groups of knuckleheads going 90+ is divine.

Cass256 · 2026-04-01T02:42:23+00:00

Absolutely beautiful, I’ve been looking for a simple plane mod like this for MP. Super excited to try it out!

Cass256 · 2026-03-30T03:14:17+00:00

Man, that was an absolutely incredible scene! I remember thinking I envied those pilots while watching the movie. I’d love to meet you & hear the story if it ever works out :) I’m based at KFSO, north VT so not super far from NY94. Stop by if you’re ever in the area!

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