All the compression struts are in place with proper hardware. All ribs except root rib are in place ready to be glued after trammeling of the wing. “N” strut is finished, painted and in place. I have been able to get all this finished in just two weeks! This took months to accomplish on the first wing!
I did a few things different this time to speed things up and make for a better
end result. The “N” strut was the only part needing fabrication as it had
to be built in place for alignment of the two strut end fittings. I did
everything the same as first wing but with the patterns for the “fish mouth”
tube ends already made the process was done in about half the time.
Everything was tacked in place and removed for welding.
Here is where I changed the process from first wing. I don’t know why but
on the first wing I did the final welding in my vice. I had to make the
parts twice, first one was no good at all and second required some heating and
bending after welding to get the proper alignment. This time, after tack
welding, I attached each part to a board with standard wood blocks for
welding. It worked great!
And the second
part of the “N” strut ……
This time when
I did my test fit, everything lined up perfectly and did not need any heating
or adjustments. Next, prime, epoxy paint and let cure in hot attic a few
days before assembly.
I needed to
remove some material from the double uprights on the ribs where they fit over
the ply and lift strut attach fittings. That took about an hour, about
the same as first wing. Lastly, I did the same to the rib that fits over
the ply reinforcement for the hinges a,d then glued the ply in place.
I discovered a
mistake that I had made on both wings regarding the ply. I used 3/32″ ply rather
than the 1/16″ ply as indicated in the plans. It’s going to be ok to be
thicker; other way would be a mess and would have required reworking both
wings. The thicker ply is at the lift strut area and hing area, not at
the wing attach fitting ends. I am making my own lift struts so the
different ply thickness will not be a problem. Only issue is I will need
to get more 3/32″ as I only have 1/16″ remaining. Not a big deal but
shows I need to be very precise and careful.
Next, root rib, cross brace at tank area then trammeling the
wing.