Elevator Trim Tab Fold -- Acceptable? - Page 2

wirejock · #11 05-30-2018, 11:44 AM

I made a bending wedge. Take a piece of hardwood and cut it the same dimension as the trim tab as if it were a rib. Put double sided tape on both surfaces. That goes inside. The mate goes outside also with tape. Camp it down. Add another two board pieces positioned so the two wedges can't slide out either way. Yes, they will, even with tape and clamps.
As Dave mentioned, use a block of hardwood to spread the load. Hammer or rivet gun works to hit the block. One smooth steady motion is best. You don't want back and forth flexing.
Remember, the part bends at the radius of the block so position it carefully. You can't get 90 degrees till the block is removed. The last few degrees can be done by hand.

BruceW · #12 05-30-2018, 12:55 PM

Strike.

NOPE.

You have to do it at least three times (like the rest of us)

jcarne · #13 05-30-2018, 09:08 PM

Took me three tries as well, three seems to be the magical number for trim tabs. I also abandoned the ear folding method and went with the riblet method. Probably just as time consuming if not more though...

Huskyhipdoc · #14 06-03-2018, 11:09 AM

get a sheet metal bending brake (break??)... great results every time, and all of the bends in the trim
take less than 15 minutes....

JonJay · #15 06-03-2018, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huskyhipdoc

get a sheet metal bending brake (break??)... great results every time, and all of the bends in the trim
take less than 15 minutes....

Well, every time if you have a finger brake, radius fingers, and/or know the tricks to maintain proper bend radius. Most brakes where designed as production machines and take some time to set up for each task, gauge, material type, etc....
Easy if you know what your doing but they are not fool proof and take some practice.

It is really easy to ruin soft material like aluminum sheet.

Huskyhipdoc · #16 06-04-2018, 01:43 AM

I have a simple one from Aircraft Spruce that I modified a little... I radiused the back edge of the clamping plate so that it consistently produces a nice 1/8 radius bend, every time. The short, lateral edges needed to be trimmed to accommodate the angle of the trim tab ends, but this can be done without affecting the 'standard' edge of the plate. Images shown in the link below. Not tried using Flikr for this before, so it might not work!

Bending brake was Part # 12-02810 and cost just over $100... the cost of a replacement trim tab, postage, import duty, import handling, and tax to get to the UK is only marginally less, and now I have a great new tool to add to the growing collection!

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmjbaiAk

JonJay · #17 06-04-2018, 12:03 PM

Nice job. Any reason to add a tool is a good reason in my book!

ctennis · #18 06-04-2018, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huskyhipdoc

Bending brake was Part # 12-02810 and cost just over $100... the cost of a replacement trim tab, postage, import duty, import handling, and tax to get to the UK is only marginally less, and now I have a great new tool to add to the growing collection!

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmjbaiAk

Wonderful idea. It looks like the same thing is available on Amazon 18" or 30 for quite a bit less too.

cczarnik · #19 06-04-2018, 06:27 PM

I have family in the HVAC business and have access to brakes. I don?t think there is enough room with the taper to make the break very useful. For me #1 was practice. #2 is airworthy but the hinge is misaligned. #3 will be the money. Vans should ship 3 tabs with every kit. And I did the tinker on the elevator skin.

CubedRoot · #20 06-04-2018, 07:32 PM

It looks flyable, but lets be honest... the trim tab is pretty cheap from Van's even including shipping, and its not a whole bunch of work to redo. I am a bit of a perfectionist, so on a piece like this, since its so cheap and easy to redo, I'd just redo it.

I redid my trim tab twice :-) Nothing to be ashamed about.