A little progress XL H-58

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've mentioned before that I'm a machinist, not a woodworker. Every wooden spar I've ever built has been solid wood or solid with routed out places for lightness.
I'm learning as I go on this..  fun stuff, of course.
Comma but.

I'm ready to glue the spar webs on. What do I use for clamp pressure? I've thought of making a series of clamps as shown (except for screws at each end) at each vertical member and half way between.
I've also thought about heavy plywood with weights stacked on it for clamp pressure.
What is the best thing to do, or am I over thinking this? 

[jrbirdman47]

They made great aileron "locks" too, for while the wings are stored. I put a 1/4" bolt through two of them with a wing nut,  one goes on top and the other on bottom with the bolt in the gaps at the aileron ends. I put one unit on each end of the aileron and no dinging up the ailerons while handling. (Also fit perfectly in the "lawyered" seat switch on my lawn mower to hold it down. Now I can raise up in the seat without the motor quitting) Nothing goes to waste!

[Chuck in Indiana]

Hmmm. I think I'll call this one "Bullet." 

[jrbirdman47]

Use "Bullitt", that way you can be as cool as Steve McQueen! (Man, do I feel old!) Always cool to see what people come up with for weights, clamps, jigs, etc.

[rfeenstra]

A fellow loader!  My kind a citizen.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Just an update and a couple of "gotchas."  On the strut fittings, Leonard gives a dimension between holes, and a note.. Do not drill into spar cap. I used the Iron Design dimensions and drew Leonard's on the fitting. As you can see, it is perilously close to the spar cap. (yes, I will polish out the pencil scratches..)

Just a heads up in case someone finds this as they are building spars in the future. Another that isn't immediately obvious to some is if you glue the plywood over this as you are building spars, you won't be able to slide the ribs on to it. 
Left spars complete, rights shortly except for the right root. Had a balls up from the material supplier.
Another bite on the elephant..

[scottiniowa]

Just an update and a couple of "gotchas."  On the strut fittings, Leonard gives a dimension between holes, and a note.. Do not drill into spar cap. I used the Iron Design dimensions   

Just a heads up in case someone finds this as they are building spars in the future. Another that isn't immediately obvious to some is if you glue the plywood over this as you are building spars, you won't be able to slide the ribs on to it. 
Left spars complete, rights shortly except for the right root. Had a balls up from the material supplier.
Another bite on the elephant..  

I love it when things are shown so well, as the build goes along.  Builders, very often you can make a "build book" of do's and don'ts, and insert these sheets (i.e.-spars, tail section, ribs and so on, even long before you get to them... "review and do" as you go along. Saves time, saves headaches.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Question. In my materials kit, I'm seeing 2 pieces of spruce 1 X 1 1/2 X 12. I'm guessing they are for the aileron hinge blocks, but hate to cut one up in case I've overlooked something. Is there anything else they could be?
Thanks,

[Vince Carucci]

Check again. I think it read [1-3/4] x 1 x 12. If that's the case, you right about it being for the hinge block.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks for that, my bad. (roll eye) They are 1 3/4.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I haven't been totally slackin.. grandson Max wants to be a rocket scientist, got a scholarship to Iowa State, and we've been helping with the move.
Here's the nose art for "bullet."

[Chuck in Indiana]

Jury strut fittings. You might note on your plans if you are at this stage that instead of "make 4," it should read make 2 as shown, 2 opposite.
They are kind of a PITA..

Finally got around to drilling the spars for the fittings. You get one try at this, and if it's not square, they won't line up. (Sweating bullets, but that seems appropriate, somehow.)

Whew!

Spent the best part of the day *very* carefully lining up and drilling 24 holes. This is the one I was looking for..the last one.

Whew! A little stressful, but I can finally start assembling the wings.
It's beer o'clock.

[scottiniowa]

looking really good Chuck!

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks, Scott! Well, I just *had* to take a picture of some "visual progress" this morning. One more bite.

[scottiniowa]

Casual observers, please note the use of the tall angle plate keeping things square on two planes...(not airplane) This greatly helps down the road.