Informal Glue Survay

[ToddK]

Trying to get an idea what people have used/are using. 
Glue used for wing ribs?
Spars?
Flying?
Is so, how long?

[Jethack737]

I'm just finishing up my ribs now, and have been using Titebond 3.

[Vince Carucci]

Titebond III for the ribs and spars
Titebond III for wing assembly
T-88 for the metal brackets to spars
T-88 for the diagonals in wing due to end grain contact

Duct tape for everything else;)

[s johnson]

I used T-88 for everything. Its a structural thing 

Scott j.

[Jlwright]

T-88 for everything.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

i used T88 for everything.  Not flying yet.  Need to finish painting wings and fit to the fuselage.

[ParQld]

Ribs - Tightbond II
Front Spars - T88
Rear Spars and rest of wing - BoatCote ( Australian Product) Very good adheasive

Paul Radford

[Tom H]

T88 for everything on DE Stubby.

[Tom XL-7]

I will use T-88. 
That is what is specified
I have it.
It costs more than titebond but that is not really an issue over the entire project cost.

Titebond is economical, easier to use- straight out of bottle without "open time" issue.
I have  years of experience with these products back to when they were called Franklin Adhesive. It's made right here in Franklin  County, Columbus Ohio.
But It says right on the bottle as I read it in my hands "Not for structural or load bearing applications."

That being the case I know of an old build Pietenpol that used it throughout.  A lot of people use this without issue. The only failures I have had are with end grain applications which are pretty worthless with any glue or fastener.

Ribs don't carry much per joint and the gussets have a lot of glue surface. I don't think it would be possible to tear a rib apart without destroying wood and if that is the case the adhesive was not the issue. I  would not hesitate to use titebond on ribs.

The spars also have a lot of glue surface area. It is continuous between the caps and the ply web.  but the spars are one place where I personally want to do my best.
 

I had a heavy touring motorcycle that had a limit of ten pounds of luggage in the owners manual. Ok to haul someone else's 300 pound girlfriend but don't put that 12 pack in your case. Sometimes you just have to go with what you feel is right. Building an airplane has room for a lot of choices. You have to trust your work.
Tom XL-7

[Nical]

Wing spars Hughes FPL 16 A;  titebond II for ribs; T-88 for misc and areas needing a bit of gap filling ( .040 max).
NL   LX E-20

[ToddK]

Thanks for the info.
 I am gluing ribs now with Titebond III.  I will probably be using T-88 for everything else.

[docmatt]

I used T88 for ribs and spars, Titebond III for much of the rest of the wing.  I am not flying it yet so it proves nothing.
My thoughts are that it is really more important to consider how to make the best possible joint.  There are times when the viscosity of T88 is a hinderance.  There are places in the ailerons that Titebond absolutely wont work.  In testing joints, I found that the only glue failures occured if you skimp on the glue.  RESIST the temptation to stretch a batch of epoxy by spreading it thinner.  Just mix another batch.  No such temptation with Titebond.

[JohnS]

Just getting started, but Raka Epoxy 900 resin and 631 hardener for ribs. Spars either same or Hughes FPL16A.