|
-
POSTING RULES

-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|

06-09-2013, 07:19 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
|
|
Jig or no jig
I am curious how many, if any, built tail feathers on a pre-punched kit without using a jig and were there any problems.
The plans don't mention using one. Given the size and match drilling, maybe it's not necessary.
It's probably too late to ask since the HS, VS & rudder are done. Better late than never.
The rudder ended up with about 1 degree of twist.
I need to check the HS & VS.
I will use one on the wings and fuse for sure.
__________________
Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
|

06-09-2013, 07:50 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
Posts: 1,035
|
|
I just finished my tail feathers for a 7 without a jig ... like you said, the plans didn't ask for one and it seemed the pre-punched ribs and skins constrain everything tightly ... except for the rudder, it only has two ribs ... tip and base. How did you measure the twist? Reference to a flat surface, or some other way?
__________________
Bill Bencze
N430WB RV-7 #74152 @ KHAF, tip-up; IO-360-M1B; Hartzell CS. !! Phase 1 !!
2357 hrs over 8.5 years to get to flying. Log at: http://rv7.wbencze.com
VAF 2020 donation happily made
|

06-09-2013, 08:32 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 1,002
|
|
no jig
no jig for me either
|

06-09-2013, 10:44 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
|
|
The only jig you need, at least on the -9, is something flat to set the trailing edge of the rudder on when you match drill the wedge.
|

06-10-2013, 07:42 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
|
|
Measure
Quote:
Originally Posted by wjb
I just finished my tail feathers for a 7 without a jig ... like you said, the plans didn't ask for one and it seemed the pre-punched ribs and skins constrain everything tightly ... except for the rudder, it only has two ribs ... tip and base. How did you measure the twist? Reference to a flat surface, or some other way?
|
I set the rudder up on my bench trailing edge up with blocks supporting it under the spar.
Then I used a plumb bob to center the root. The plumb bob revealed a tiny twist when moved to the tip end.
Thanks for the responses. I feel better about building on my bench sans jig.
__________________
Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
|

06-10-2013, 11:14 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 827
|
|
Even though I used alum angle to hold the elevator trailing edges straight when I prosealed the wedge, I still ended up with some twist between the two elevators. I'm pretty sure it developed during the riveting of the trailing edge wedge. It was enough that I felt "concerned". Given the building technique, I honestly couldn't see how to ensure building it perfect.
As an engineer you quickly learn nothing is perfect... and that you can always tell a real engineer because we "Measure with a micrometer, mark with a crayon and cut with a chainsaw".
In the end, my airplane only needed a little rudder trim and that was because I found it difficult to establish the offset of the vertical stabilizer.
Do the best you can and build on....
__________________
Long-EZ built 1985 -> Sold 2007
RV-9A; N539RV First Flight: 7/2010
RV-8A N468DL 40 hr Flight Test Program
Building Log: www.mykitlog.com/n539rv
APRS Tracking: aprs.fi/n539rv
2017 Paid
|

06-10-2013, 03:55 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,346
|
|
there are a lot of 4's and 6's with a lot more twist that were built in jigs! 
I was sure my -4 HS and elevators were perfect...until I mounted the elevators. It looked like the control horns were two legs taking a walk.
I am really liking this CNC punched jig-less -8 kit so far. I'll be interested to see how straight it comes out.
__________________
Mike W
Venice, FL
RV-6A. Mattituck TMX O-360, FP, GRT Sport EFIS, L3 Lynx NGT-9000
N164WM
N184WM reserved (RV-8)....finishing kit in progress. Titan IOX-370
|

06-10-2013, 05:27 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
|
|
no jig
Thanks everyone.
I'm going to build more and worry less. 
__________________
Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
|

06-11-2013, 10:37 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 176
|
|
Directly from vansaircraft.net...
But the biggest improvement ? some might call it revolutionary ? in Standard Kits is the introduction of "matched-hole" components. Made possible by advances in tools and techniques, components are now supplied with all the fastener holes punched ?and punched so accurately that the need for assembly jigs is eliminated. When the holes line up, the component must be straight!
http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/kits-standard.htm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wirejock
I am curious how many, if any, built tail feathers on a pre-punched kit without using a jig and were there any problems.
The plans don't mention using one. Given the size and match drilling, maybe it's not necessary.
It's probably too late to ask since the HS, VS & rudder are done. Better late than never.
The rudder ended up with about 1 degree of twist.
I need to check the HS & VS.
I will use one on the wings and fuse for sure.
|
__________________
David Taylor
RV-7 N207DT
Wings
Warner Robins, GA
"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. "
Elbert Hubbard
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:57 AM.
|