DE SPAR SPLICING.... think I've screwed up... help!

[John Reinking]

Okay, I admit it:   think I've screwed up royally!    Here's the problem:    To economize on shipping costs, etc, and noting in materials list that spar capstrip lengths could be split up (and later spliced [okay so far]) I ordered all of the spar caps in 96" lengths.    Received same, scarfed and ready to glue them up.    Asked myself the question:   where is the strut attach point?    OMG, 99 1/2" !    Now what?   On our budget I think I'm shot down.
What lengths should I have ordered?   10ft?   Honest guys, I'm truly stymied.    Really appreciate your thoughts (I know, the ole "damn I didn't think of that dimension" dilemna.

John Reinking
Woodinville, WA
reinkings@comcast.net

[Tom XL-7]

Hope this is helpful. Don't start with a full piece, put a full piece 2nd .  The question is is there enough material left to pull it off.
Tom XL-7

[John Reinking]

The overall length of the spar cap pieces with the 15:1 scarf on one end are 96" .  Hope this helps with solution suggestions.   Thanks fellas.

[joecnc2006]

The Strut Attachment point is 99 1/2" from the wing root?  how long is that wing?  the LEXL the strut is 77" from the wing root with a wing length of 154" so a splice can be put out past the strut location.

[John Reinking]

Looking at the DE plans, page 40A shows the strut att. point at 99 1/2" inches from butt rib.  Page 40 shows overall wing length is 168".   Am I missisng something here?

[joecnc2006]

Looking at the DE plans, page 40A shows the strut att. point at 99 1/2" inches from butt rib.  Page 40 shows overall wing length is 168".   Am I missisng something here?

That is prob. right with a wing that long, I don't have the DE plans only the XL maybe some will chime in.

[John Reinking]

Wow!   Just got shipping estimate from UPS  for order from Spruce in California to here in Woodinville, WA:    $532!   Yeow!

[ParQld]

Hi John,

I just checked my DE wing on the bench. I ordered the caps in 10' and 5' lengths, My splices are 12:1 and it puts the splices in the next rib bay across outboard from the strut attach point. If i did it again i would order the 5' lengths as 6' as my wing comes up slightly short of plan.

your splice obviously ends up right over the strut attach point and structurally i am not sure how that would go. You could just re order the inboard pieces in 10' lengths and splice them to the 8' pieces o fix the issue if i understand your predicament correctly. either way a bummer, but better fixed before glueing up. 

not sure if that helps

cheers Paul

[John Reinking]

AC43 agrees with your assessment.  Sounds like an order for 10ft caps is on the horizon (the family accountant will love that.)    Thought I'd post to other EAA Chapters here in Washington state before that.   Who knows, might get lucky find something locally.  Thanks, Paul

[joecnc2006]

Here is a response I just got from leonard, about slicing the LEXL.

Hi Joe,
I would splice one in board and one out board of the strut fitting.  At about a 12 to one angle.  Leonard

[John Reinking]

Thank you all for your replies.   NOW I understand.   The shipping cost from Spruce is significantly lower.  Now I can order the right stock.  Thanks.

[John Reinking]

I've ordered 10' capstrips for the spars.    While waiting I've been poring over the plan sheets (pg. 40 in particular) and noticed that the outboard ends of the spar caps are inside-tapered.    Just curious:   why are they tapered?   Is that a weight-saving device?   This newbie isn't changing anything just curious.  Thanks folks.

[ParQld]

Just weight saving

[Dan_]

Just weight saving

Leonard put a thousand pound stress test on that wing.  The wing is absolutely good for 4 Gs.  

So no worries about the taper on the spar caps...

[John Reinking]

Thank you.   Will doubtless have other questions as I go along.   Appreciate your insights.   Best wishes, John R