Longeron Bends

[larrynew]

Originally Posted by NDrv8r

What?? You don't like the Fred Flintstone method???

Me either. I developed a set of male and female bending dies that evenly apply pressure to the horizontal and the vertical flanges of the angle. This greatly reduces the tendancy to twist, and gives great control over the process.

I used Larry's longeron dies and they came out great with little fuss and I'll use them again if I get the chance. I later used them as drill guides for the rear spar. Just the right size.

[DaAV8R]

Will these dies work on a -8? Is the longeron angle the same size on the -8?

[NDrv8r]

I don't think the dies will work on the 8.

It looks like there is little bending as the longeron passes the cockpit, just the sharp bend down and twist as it passes forward of the cockpit towards the firewall.

The die set I make is for the gentle bend as the longerons go around the 7 and 9 cockpit.

I have not personally evaluated the 8, but if someone wants to try it, I'd be glad to refund the cost of the dies (less shipping) if they dont work.

[randyintejas]

"What?? You don't like the Fred Flintstone method???"

Yep.. used them on the first one. I was one of the 1st to purchase and it marked up the angle so bad that I did not use it on the 2nd longeron.

[OLDSAM]

"these are cnc made out of 1.25" square 6061. They were made specifically for the RV7 / 9 airplanes."

Made by whom? Did you design them and have a one off set made, or are they available somewhere?

If you designed them and had them made, could you give the rest of us a few hints, like the radius of the bend that is machined into the dies, overall length, etc.

Thanks for any light you can shed.

[JanRV6UK]

Here is the link to the guy who makes them : http://www.bullerent.com/longerondies.htm

They look nice - I spent a day doing my 6 - Not sure if they would have done it for me - Nice to have the right tool for the job, if possible :-)

[randyintejas]

Update.. I really don’t like to trash anyone’s product until I know the problem is not me! So, I purchased another set of Larry’s Dies and yes, a new set of Longerons. I found them local (the angle) for a lot less but, I wanted to compare Vans material so, I paid the price. If you really must know it was $244 for shipping. The price you pay to experiment I guess. Anyway the first thing I noticed was the difference in the angle stock from Vans. The new stock is just slightly thinner and that allowed the new dies to fit perfect! I tried to put the new dies on the old Longerons and no dice; I would have to get out the Dremel to make them fit. So now I know why the old dies marked up the first longeron so bad. I decided to go-ahead and bend one of the new angles with one of the new dies so, I marked it all off (including the 1 inch marks), electrical taped the dies and covered the dies in dry lubricant. You guessed it.. a perfect bend! While bending I made sure to keep the dies will lubed and cranked light on the vice, checking the pattern as I went. Also I started bending at the first inch mark and stoped ½ inch before the end mark. I hope this helps someone and I can now say Larry’s product works great if the angle fits.

[rockwoodrv9]

Wow, $244 for shipping. That is $1.00 more than my whole wing kit cost to ship to Colorado.

[osaleh]

I had the Orndorff method and the longeron Dies from Buller. First i tried the dies, but they did not fit. I called the contact number and the gentleman i talked to asked me to send it back and he will fix. Not wanting to wait, I then proceeded to use the Orndorff method for my longeron bend. It worked great. I had the bend, the bend down, and then I was very happy because it was not as hard as everyone said, then I messed up the drill. I somehow, messed up the left and right ordering, wrong labeling, then wrong drilling and trimming at the aft end side of the longeron. How much was it ???? about $300-$400 including shipping? ouch.

[osaleh]

Randy, since you used the dies recently as you described, can you tell me where did you start the bend, how did you progress or move the dies, by 1/2 inch, etc... I have the dies but ended up using the orndorff method. i messed up the longerons during drilling at the aft end so i will order new ones. I would like to use the dies this time around, so any tips will be great.