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  #1  
Old 01-10-2016, 04:35 AM
#74430 #74430 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Sale, VIC (Australia)
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Default Bend ears or riblets?

Hey guys,

I'm about to finish off the left elevator and trim tab. I've heard 'horror' stories with this not going right when bending the ear. Is it that bad and should I make riblets instead... or should I just bend away?

Dan
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  #2  
Old 01-10-2016, 06:26 AM
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goatflieg goatflieg is offline
 
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Definitely strong opinions on both sides. I decided to try bending the tabs. Took my time; built forming blocks; worked on practice pieces... but I'm proud to be a member of the "One Tab Club". See my thread on the subject; search the forums for One Tab Club and you'll probably find it.
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  #3  
Old 01-10-2016, 08:52 AM
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LettersFromFlyoverCountry LettersFromFlyoverCountry is offline
 
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Location: St. Paul, MN.
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Default

I bent the tabs (which of course I built several times) and some months later I looked at it and didn't like the look of it and didn't like how close the pop rivet was to the elevator so I pulled it off, cut it all off and made riblets.
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  #4  
Old 01-10-2016, 09:15 AM
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wirejock wirejock is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
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Default Club

Quote:
Originally Posted by goatflieg View Post
Definitely strong opinions on both sides. I decided to try bending the tabs. Took my time; built forming blocks; worked on practice pieces... but I'm proud to be a member of the "One Tab Club". See my thread on the subject; search the forums for One Tab Club and you'll probably find it.
I did the same. Documented in my blog.
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  #5  
Old 01-10-2016, 10:24 AM
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wjb wjb is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
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Default

I heard the horror stories, too, and took the riblet route:



Pretty aren't they?

However, now that I have built quite a bit more of the plane, I'd have no issue doing the bend now. Get some scrap and practice a bit prior .. prototype how you want to hold the part and make the bend.

Just remember the Seven Ps : "Proper Prior Planning Prevents **** Poor Performance" (with compliments to the USMC) (**** rhymes with hiss)
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  #6  
Old 01-10-2016, 10:40 AM
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dlloyd3 dlloyd3 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Locust, NC
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Followed Van's instructions with a couple short cuts an bent a pretty good but not perfect tab. Been flying that way, it works like it should.
Last year built a tab for a 9 following Van's instructions to the letter. It turned out almost perfect. Make the wood forms, use the double-sided tape and you won't be dissappointed.
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  #7  
Old 01-10-2016, 11:12 AM
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MikeyDale MikeyDale is offline
 
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Location: Garden City Texas
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I didn't even try the bending. I went straight to the riblet and it was quick and easy. It gave me confidence in fabricating custom parts also.

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  #8  
Old 01-11-2016, 03:49 AM
#74430 #74430 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Sale, VIC (Australia)
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Thanks for all the responses.. I think I might give the riblets a go just to prove to myself that I can fabricate small parts (little wins matter).

But just to be sure I'll make the riblets prior to cutting the 'ears' off.

Cheers,
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  #9  
Old 01-11-2016, 09:45 AM
EllisMcgaughy EllisMcgaughy is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Fayetteville nc
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Ive done both. Personally I think the Riblets look better compared to a good tab bend. At some point in the project, you will likely relax around some of the things that others seem to make folks feel inferior to do (like using a pulled rivet). i've seen some mangled trim tabs that appear to have been made with a 2lb ball peen hammer. Whatever you do, just be reasonably neat and you'll be fine.
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  #10  
Old 01-11-2016, 10:14 AM
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KatieB KatieB is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Stilwell, KS
Posts: 1,096
Default +1 for One Tab Club!

I did my tab the way Van's said to do it and was happy with how it turned out the first try. I held the parts in place with form blocks squeezed to the bench with vise-grip welding clamps, and did some light tapping with a hammer and a small bucking bar followed by a smooth punch to get the creases sharp.

I will admit I didn't expect the first one to turn out at all, so I just played around with it, and it happened to work out. If I damaged the elevator at all, Plan B was to cut it and make a riblet.





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