Mechanics - need to temporarily join two tubes but geometry getting in the way.

[fuzzybabybunny]

I've got a propeller cage for my paramotor:

I need to break it down into a more compact form for airline travel. I want to cut the aluminum tubes at the red lines, effectively halving the width, install smaller diameter metal tubes *inside* of the existing tubes, and drill holes so they can be taken apart but still joined back together again with locking pins.

The problem is with the diagonal tube circled:

All the other tubes can be pushed back together easily because they're all parallel, but what do I do about the diagonal bit? It seems the only way to join this would be to install a metal sleeve / tube *outside* of the existing tube.

Does this appear to be the most straightforward method?

 

[Ken g6]

Your sig has an appropriate response to this:

"Don't do it, you'll die FBB."

😛

I'm just here to bump this thread.

 

[lxskllr]

None of that's structural, right? It just protects the blades when laying down? If that's the case, hinging it at the bottom, and a dowel joining it at the top should work.

 

[drinkmorejava]

Use a piper joiner

http://www.doughty-engineering.co.uk/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_T25000

 

[MongGrel]

I'm more curious as how you are mounting it to the seat without the longer diagonal struts, but without adding weight it is a interesting question.

I have a few ideas, but it would weigh a bit more.

Could just cut out the tubes joining them all together and use a lightweight pipe spreader type clamp maybe as it is just a fan protector.

That would take a bit of experimenting on the ground of course.

 

[Schmide]

The only way I can see keeping structural integrity and breaking down is to install a plate/hinge/joiner at the very top that separates the whole thing into 2 pieces.

 

[Blitzvogel]

Use a piper joiner

http://www.doughty-engineering.co.uk/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_T25000

Looks appropriate. Longitudinal loading seems to be more important than compression/tension.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Use a piper joiner

http://www.doughty-engineering.co.uk/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_T25000

Ah, those pipe joiners are cool.

OK, that's what I'll use.

No, it's not load-bearing, at least not normally. If I fall on my side during a botched landing or takeoff it'll take the load. That's why it's a double hoop design, which is more for learners and instructors flying tandem. People with more experience or solo pilots generally fly single hoop cage designs.