New builder

[Johnathonwitte]

New member, new builder just got it pans and was curious as to anything I might need to watch out for while building the xl. Thank you

[Kamcoman77]

Welcome to the Legal Eagle family! There are a lot of things to watch out for. I suggest you watch all the YouTube videos about the Legal Eagle and Legal Eagle XL. Also join the Legal Eagle Ultralight Facebook page, and read all the posts. If you have not done so, you might consider ordering IronDesigns supplemental plans. They offer several full-size patterns and a full-size wing rib drawing. As you gain more information I'm sure you will have specific questions. Ask them on this Forum and the Facebook page. General questions may not get you any answers, but specific ones will. Where are you located? There may be a completed airplane you could take a look at.

[jrbirdman47]

Watch out for clamps on sale. I mean it. I've bought Lowes out of stock twice. I got 100 of the little metal mini clamps from Home Depot. (And at times I am using all of them!) I have all shapes and sizes and I still find odd applications where I need more or different kinds of clamps. When this thing is finished someone will have to inherit them all. Ditto what Kamcoman says. I studied the plans and videos over and over and wrote down questions along the way. Some I was able to answer myself after studying everything and with others the guys on this forum and the FB page were always great at keeping me out of trouble.Just measure twice or even three times and cut once, and think things through. You'll find a lot of great ideas for tables, jigs, etc., if you read up.Most of all, enjoy the build!

[kalazzerx]

Take time to build a good build table - there was a good discussion about the just recently.

[914pete]

I bought two engineered I-Beams and rested them on 4 cinder blocks. You can spread the blocks apart and make it as wide as needed. The I-beams were exactly true as well as the cinder blocks. Screw some decent plywood to the top and cheap stuff on the bottom for added structural support. The local lumber yard had several old returned I-beams. I bought two for $16 ea. @ 16" high. The cinder blocks were $1.98ea. Bottom ply was scrap particle board, top was nicer 3/4" ply which I burned to a crisp bending and welding the longerons. (I wish I built it off the table) I did shim a little due to the floor being a little uneven.

Resting on cider blocks raised the table top to a perfect work height of 34" and took around 45 minutes to assemble. When I start my wings I'll unscrew the ply, spread the I-beams apart more, use the old ply for the bottom and screw down some new ply for the top. I didn't do this initially for space. I recommend leaving 1-2" of over hang on the top and maybe more at the bottom ply. Top for clamping to and bottom for resting things on. Came in handy.

[kalazzerx]

That should work.  I guess the only thing to do is start building a rib jig and start building!

[JLHANZ]

How do you  find - order IronDesigns supplemental plans?

[Sweet B]

Weight! Watch your weight if you intend to keep it within 103 parameters. Every ounce counts.

[kalazzerx]

How do you  find - order IronDesigns supplemental plans?

https://irondesigniowa.com/product-category/legal-eagle-xl-wing-plans-supplemental/