Tip: Rib Flange Straightener Tool

[longranger]

You'd have to fight me for mine. I built the tool AND squared the main rib flanges WAY faster than I was able to square the flanges with seamers on my last project.

I think the arm on mine is 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 square maple. I started with a 24-inch long piece, and only cut off enough to fabricate the fulcrum and anvil. I've been done with wing ribs for a while, but if I have to use it much more, I'm going to find a way to round off the end for a more comfortable handle...

[David Paule]

On mine, I think the arm is about 3/4" wide. If I were doing another, I'd make one arm about 5/8" and slightly rounded on the pressure side, and another about 2" wide, mostly flat. It would speed up the work, not that it took very long as it was.

Dave

[MJarreau]

Getting ready to build one. Thought others might benefit from seeing this older thread again.

H

[knievel]

Would this take the place of fluting pliers?

[iwannarv]

Originally Posted by knievel

Would this take the place of fluting pliers?

It would not - fluting allows the rib to lay flat on a work bench. These tools make sure the rib flanges are bent 90 degrees to the web, where required. (Don't go bending all of them)

[marriner]

If the angle is 11 degrees how does that create a 90 degree angle on the flange?

[wjb]

It's a 11 degree over-bend, 11 degrees beyond perfect 90. When you release, the flange springs back to 90. The amount of over bend and springback will depend on the thickness of the sheet and the shape of the working end of the tool .. give it a try and tune your rig!

[marriner]

Ok. Thanks

[carlrai]

Originally Posted by wjb

It's a 11 degree over-bend, 11 degrees beyond perfect 90. When you release, the flange springs back to 90. The amount of over bend and springback will depend on the thickness of the sheet and the shape of the working end of the tool .. give it a try and tune your rig!

Waiting on a wing kit. Built two wings previously and didn't know about this great little fixture. Slow going with a hand seamer and a small square.
I assume this is used after fluting and between the flutes?

[RV7ForMe]

My Version. 11? seems to be very close. Used only scrap material.