Wing building tips

[Theodore]

Why four wings? Are you building the first LE Biplane?

[jrbirdman47]

LOL!!!   No, building a pair of them! (But the thought has crossed my mind......)

[Chuck in Indiana]

LOL!!!  No, building a pair of them! (But the thought has crossed my mind......)

Bad idea.      I'm already getting tired of making gussets, parts, and sanding. Two LEs would test your patience. Two LE biplanes would no doubt put me over the top. 
Just the same, looking at this project.. building the ribs is the biggest labor and time consumer. That's why I started there.

[jrbirdman47]

You're right about the labor intensive part, and I did the ribs first as well for that reason. I estimated that I cut out over 1600 gussets, so if I never cut out another one, I'm good. I'm good on aluminum gussets too. Cut and fit tons of those for the tail feathers too. Just started on the fuselages and fortunately, not much in the way of gussets there!

[scottiniowa]

Many of you have already done, but using this base drawings of gussets, And knowing how many of each you need, you can lay out "like gussets in strips"  So one cut gets you 2 or 4 or even more..  it takes a bit to get them laid out but once done...and a few blocks set up on your paper cutter, your off to the races.

I am pretty sure I cut all the gussets for one wing in less than 2 hours.. It was a larger paper cutter, (24") cut but the best part was almost NO waste.  We always cut the largest first, down to the tiny ones to use up any scrape.

They were based off of the free pdf's



Best of success.

[Theodore]

slight discrepancy on height of C1, gussets only says 3/4"/0.75, sheet 3 shows 1.1 inch, better to make them taller yes.

[scottiniowa]

slight discrepancy on height of C1, gussets only says 3/4"/0.75, sheet 3 shows 1.1 inch, better to make them taller yes.

yes, I would agree, and I still find it amazing after all these years, little discrepancies like this show up.. but certainly true, good eye.

[Chuck in Indiana]

yes, I would agree, and I still find it amazing after all these years, little discrepancies like this show up.. but certainly true, good eye.

Actually, there are some big ones. 

[IflyHG]

I'm reviving this awesome thread with some questions.  Approved Glues/Adhesives.  I did a search and found a result but it went to a link to the Yahoo content which is no longer accessible. 

I assume T-88 is an approved epoxy because T-88 is recommended in the LEXL plans, and I assume it can be used for all joints.  Are there other approved epoxies?

I assume Titebond III is also an approved glue because I heard Leonard say it is a "really good glue" in a presentation he gave at Oshkosh this year.  Are there any other 1 part glues that are approved?  Since Titebond III requires close fitting joints, 100-150psi clamping pressure, and is not for use in structural or load bearing applications I assume its use is limited to gluing gussets on ribs.  Are there any other approved applications of Titebond III or similar 1 part glues?

I'm happy to use these two products, just wondering if there are other approved options and making sure I understand where they can be applied.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I think some use West systems epoxy. FWIW, I built everything that didn't have a long open time with Titebond 111. Sure, it says it's not water proof and not to be used for structural purposes, but like Leonard says, it's good glue.  I wouldn't use it to glue the planking on a boat..(shrug)
It's hard to beat T88 for an all purpose adhesive, though.

[IflyHG]

Actually, Titebond III is waterproof per the manufacturer's website.  Titebond III webpage  If you select the Get Literature page there is more information especially on pages FF681 and FF1040.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue is not for continuous submersion or for use below the waterline.

Of course, if Bullet is below the waterline, I have bigger problems than whether the wings come apart..