Advice on wing mounts on a DE

[Peterross]

Hi all

I am about ready to weld the wing mounts onto the fuselage and I'm not sure how to make sure they are both vertical and properly aligned.
I'm sure there are strategies or fixtures that would make the job much easier so I'm reaching out to all who have done this.
Any drawings for fixtures or advice?

Thanks

Pete

[MrG]

as you can see when i was ready to do min
1st job was you can run a vertical pole up from tail vert. mount
2: Build the front post but i did not add bushing (see drawing) the i set up string line to mount rear attach post
3: work out angle (from drawing) and mark your two holes and drill just a tad over sized 1 mm ( 1/16 - 1/8 ) to be able to get the angle
4: drill out bushing and get some steel rod (bright steel is good and what i sued better than hot extruded  bar - )
5: put that with bushing on and in mount points
make sure spacing is correct to match wings - i made a jig up and also left the weld in spaces(rod) a tad long just incase and ground down to suit
now you have them aligned in the correct angle and can weld

My advise Dont do as per drawings its a night mare to put wings on and off
do the tee mod there is enough info around were people have done this some one may have photos
way way better set up

And the daughter always gets the pilots seat

[Peterross]

Thanks for the info.
So I have the posts and bushings created. It sounds like now I want to use a steel rod to properly align the 2 posts, then locate them on the top tube. How do I verify that they are vertical? They are too short to use a level.

[scottiniowa]

Thanks for the info.
So I have the posts and bushings created. It sounds like now I want to use a steel rod to properly align the 2 posts, then locate them on the top tube. How do I verify that they are vertical? They are too short to use a level.

I am not sure how short, you consider to short, but if you have a standard 24" level (digital)  and any strait piece you consider good (a 4 foot level) placed on your bars, this will show in 1/10 of a degree, anytime your that close, your close enough.

Always start with this same level test from side to side on your floor tubes on the frame.  Have things solid underneath for a base and your good to go.  i.e. sitting on loose gravel, will not suffice.

Best of success!

[Peterross]

Excellent advice. I don't have a digital level but I will look into getting one. I will put the fuse flat on a concrete slab and make sure it is level first.