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  #1  
Old 05-21-2020, 09:28 AM
PhatRV PhatRV is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Buena Park, California
Posts: 279
Default Shortest Machinist Level size to level wing?

I am planning to pre-fit the wings and to drill out the necessary holes sometime later this year. What is the best size, of a machinist level I can use to level the wing ? I realize the longer level is the best but it really costs a lot of money for something I only use a few times in my lifetime. So what is the shortest machinist level I can use, such as 8" or 6" level?

Thanks,

Phat Vu
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RV8 standard build: Empennage 99% completed
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  #2  
Old 05-21-2020, 10:00 AM
Carl Froehlich's Avatar
Carl Froehlich Carl Froehlich is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
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A good spirit level of at least 2? is recommended, 4? preferred, and are not at all expensive. I use a 2? and a 6? level.

A digital level is nice, but for this fall short of the need and I find do not do the job as well for things like setting wing angle of incidence. The digital level does come in handy when verifying control surface deflections.

Carl
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  #3  
Old 05-21-2020, 10:12 AM
wirejock's Avatar
wirejock wirejock is offline
 
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Location: Estes Park, CO
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Default Digital level

I used one for the entire build. Also have a weighted level. For the wings, I used a long section of aluminum angle and a short piece. Clamped the short piece at the aft end the correct dimension and layed the digital level on top.
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  #4  
Old 05-21-2020, 10:36 AM
Stoo Stoo is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: LL10, Naperville, IL.
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A machinist level is way too precise for this job. Chasing the bubble will drive you nuts!
Stewart Willoughby, 6 ready for paint.
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  #5  
Old 05-21-2020, 01:05 PM
Ralph Inkster Ralph Inkster is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
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If I forgot my 2' digital level at home, I use my 6" digital one at the hangar taped to a chunk of angle. I than tape spacers to the angle to clear the skin & line up with the main and rear spar positions - makes consistent readings for both wings.
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  #6  
Old 05-21-2020, 02:01 PM
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mfleming mfleming is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Joseph, Oregon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wirejock View Post
I used one for the entire build. Also have a weighted level. For the wings, I used a long section of aluminum angle and a short piece. Clamped the short piece at the aft end the correct dimension and layed the digital level on top.
+1 on this method
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  #7  
Old 05-21-2020, 02:37 PM
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fl-mike fl-mike is offline
 
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I have an ancient 8" Starrett machinist bubble level that I used. I also had a 12" Starrett, but sold that off. The 8" is more handy. Lays across the spar nicely. (Sorry, I thought you were talking about jigging the wing.). I have a variety of framing levels up to six feet that I use alone or as a straight plank for the machinist level.
I also have a digital level, but I caution you to verify any level before trusting it. The old reverse-it test. My digital was a full 2 degrees off. I had to disassemble it to re-align the module. I don't trust it for anything precise.
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Last edited by fl-mike : 05-21-2020 at 03:32 PM.
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  #8  
Old 05-21-2020, 03:04 PM
PhatRV PhatRV is offline
 
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Location: Buena Park, California
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I have a bubble level from 6" torpedo type to a long framing level. I read something in this forum about using the machinist level since the wing incidence must be set very precisely and the digital level does not register a change if the incidence at the rear spar is just off by 1/8".

Have anyone of you tried to used the regular hardware store bubble level (the kind I have) to set you wings and have flown without any problem?

Thanks
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RV8 standard build: Empennage 99% completed
Wing -- Closed
Fuselage -- Canopy Started
Avionics Installation -- Bench tested
Firewall Forward -- New engine received !
Electrical -- After engine installation

Donation paid through 2020
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  #9  
Old 05-21-2020, 07:43 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
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Location: Hubbard Oregon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhatRV View Post
I have a bubble level from 6" torpedo type to a long framing level. I read something in this forum about using the machinist level since the wing incidence must be set very precisely and the digital level does not register a change if the incidence at the rear spar is just off by 1/8".

Have anyone of you tried to used the regular hardware store bubble level (the kind I have) to set you wings and have flown without any problem?

Thanks
RV?s have been built for decades using just a simple bubble level. The key to success is in knowing that the one you have is accurate.
The way to confirm that is that a level should read the exact same for each position when placed on a surface and then rotated 180 degrees and placed back in the same position.
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  #10  
Old 05-22-2020, 08:23 AM
PhatRV PhatRV is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Buena Park, California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002 View Post
RV?s have been built for decades using just a simple bubble level. The key to success is in knowing that the one you have is accurate.
The way to confirm that is that a level should read the exact same for each position when placed on a surface and then rotated 180 degrees and placed back in the same position.
Okay the key is get the bubble level calibrated then. I know none of my levels are calibrated since they were bought from the hardware store almost a decade ago. I will calibrate then to see if they are suitable to use them on the wings

Thanks,
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RV8 standard build: Empennage 99% completed
Wing -- Closed
Fuselage -- Canopy Started
Avionics Installation -- Bench tested
Firewall Forward -- New engine received !
Electrical -- After engine installation

Donation paid through 2020
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