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  #1  
Old 02-25-2013, 09:46 PM
330Jock 330Jock is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 97
Default All You Riblet Guys

After botching one trim tab already, I think I'm ready to come over to the dark side and use riblets. Besides, I think they look so much more professional and sharp. One question, has anybody called Van's and asked if they would sign off on riblets? I've seen lots of posts but I don't remember seeing anything about the mother ship!
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  #2  
Old 02-26-2013, 05:45 AM
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N355DW N355DW is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Port St Lucie, FL
Posts: 261
Default I didn't even try to bend.

You know, I never did ask Van's that question, but as someone totally unqualified to judge, they seem pretty substantial to me!
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  #3  
Old 02-26-2013, 07:56 AM
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FuturPilot FuturPilot is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 45
Default Trim Tab

I feel you would be better served as a builder to persist in getting the trim tab right per the design plans (I agree either way will serve the purpose) as further on in the build you will encounter similar tasks that may seem impossible, but many have done it successfully before. Improving your skills now on a cheap part will save money down the road. My 2c.
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  #4  
Old 02-26-2013, 05:53 PM
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beav beav is offline
 
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Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 164
Default

I fabricated riblets, and it's probably just as large a challenge as bending per the plans. Either way you go, you will learn new skills that will help you down the road.
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  #5  
Old 02-28-2013, 03:18 PM
OLDSAM OLDSAM is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Tucker GA
Posts: 190
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 330Jock View Post
After botching one trim tab already, I think I'm ready to come over to the dark side and use riblets. Besides, I think they look so much more professional and sharp. One question, has anybody called Van's and asked if they would sign off on riblets? I've seen lots of posts but I don't remember seeing anything about the mother ship!
I just bought a couple of elevator ribs, chopped the rear ends off, and made riblets from them. Found it easier, it looks like the rest of the elevator, and I would do it the same way again.
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  #6  
Old 02-28-2013, 03:35 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
Default Bending Was Easy

I used this tool and the bending went real well. Can't see what the fuss is all about.



It's a Malco S3, and Amazon sells them. Very good tool.

Place the tool flange on the bend line and bend. No thinking needed.

Incidentally, I did have difficulty with the trim tab but the side flanges were never an issue.

Dave
RV-3B
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  #7  
Old 02-28-2013, 04:03 PM
Rivethead Rivethead is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Corvallis Oregon.
Posts: 680
Default

Anyone having trouble with their trim tabs can send them to me and for $30.00 I'll assemble them as per plans.
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  #8  
Old 02-28-2013, 04:39 PM
scsmith scsmith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ashland, OR
Posts: 2,574
Default Riblets?

Every time I see this title, I get suckered again into checking it out. There are two other accepted uses for the term "riblet". I don't know how accepted the term is as used in this thread, meaning "small rib".

Riblets are microgrooves on a surface, oriented parallel to the flow, that reduce turbulent skin friction. 3M makes an adhesive film that has the riblets in it. Put it on your fuselage, you might go faster.

There was also a guy, Harry Riblett, who did a lot of airfoil design for GA airplanes. Some of his airfoils look surprisingly similar to some of mine (which is to say, I think he knew what he was doing)

So when I see a title like "riblet guys", I think it is one of these two.

How about if we call the little end rib on a trim tab a "ribino"? and the plural would be "ribini".
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  #9  
Old 02-28-2013, 09:56 PM
330Jock 330Jock is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 97
Default All You Riblet Guys

Steve,
Thanks so much for your helpful post! I don't presume to be an Aeronautical Engineer as you are so proud of in your post. I am just a regular guy trying to build a freekin airplane. I was not born with your intellect or skill, however I did hear a waitress at Ruby Tuesday say that if you cut one of those ribs in half you would have a riblet! So her expert opinion counts for me.
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Bill Stockburger
RV-7A Slider
IO-360 M1B Thunderbolt ordered, Hartzell 74" Composite ordered.
Empennage Finished (except fiberglass), Wings Finished (except FG), Fuselage in progress. Restarted project 6/15/2020
N776DD (Reserved)
2020 Dues Paid

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. - F. Scott Fitzgerald
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  #10  
Old 03-01-2013, 06:02 AM
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N355DW N355DW is offline
 
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Location: Port St Lucie, FL
Posts: 261
Default Great idea!

Quote:
Originally Posted by OLDSAM View Post
I just bought a couple of elevator ribs, chopped the rear ends off, and made riblets from them. Found it easier, it looks like the rest of the elevator, and I would do it the same way again.
I did use some aluminum of the same thickness as the elevator ribs in mine. I assumed it to be ok structurally for that reason. Even though I have a bending brake, it was tricky, I might go the above method if I did it again.
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