Folding Elevator Rear Edge

[bardample]

I am about to bend the rear edges of my RV7 elevator. Is it preferable to place say a 1/4" dowell along the rear edge whilst completing the fold? I notice on a few sites some fellow builders have done so !

[flion]

Yes, though I think 3/16" is what was called for. The dowel keeps the bend consistent and doesn't let you crush the trailing edge; you'll find you need a lot of pressure on the homemade bending brake to get the leading edge to lay down on the spar.

[bardample]

Thankyou for your advice. Jeff R Australia

[jimgreen]

There are lots of threads on this. FWIW I got good bends without using dowel.