Build both wings at once instead of one at a time?

[rzbill]

Get a lot more clecos. The common allotment is not nearly enough for doing two at a a time.

[mill2978]

Originally Posted by blueflyer

Title says it all. Should I build both wings at once, or just build one at a time?

I started with one wing stand in my garage, we ended up selling our house and moving into a place where I can have both wings under construction at the same time.

I got the first wing to the point of fuel tank assembly before we moved and it took a lot of review in my build log to get the second wing to the same point. Now that I have them both up and am working on entirely new tasks I find it to be much more efficient. Build them both at the same time.

[David Paule]

I've started building both wings on my RV-3B at the same time, and frankly can't imagine having to rethink how to do things all over a second time. So far it's working well.

See http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=85658, post 45, for a photo of the jig in the garage, waiting for wings to start.

Dave

[Chino Tom]

Originally Posted by David Paule

I've started building both wings on my RV-3B at the same time, and frankly can't imagine having to rethink how to do things all over a second time.

Dave

Bingo! The best reason of all IMHO it is faster that way too.

[rv7boy]

Poll question has been edited to reduce confusion...

[Smilin' Jack]

Both at the same time, because when you complete one project on one wing you can do the same assembly usually quicker on the second wing. You get all the ribs done at one time and your done making ribs. You rivet up one wing then do the same on the other... And it moves extremely fast.. Where if you have a time lapse between one wing and the other you could forget exactly how you did an operation
Smilin' Jack

[smiller]

I voted "doesn't matter" but I personally built mine together, and overall, I'm glad I did. However, there was ONE occasion when I regretted it. While installing my leading edge landing lights I made a stupid measurement mistake with regard to the lens screw holes, and I repeated the mistake perfectly on the second wing before realizing the error. It wasn't the end of the world, but it forced me to deviate from the plans/instructions/design and make a special modification to address the error. And make that mod twice.

So, if you build two of anything at once, don't "measure twice, cut once." Instead, "measure twice, take a break, measure twice more, get a second opinion if you can, measure a couple more times, look at the drawings again, and the instructions again, measure again, step back and see if it REALLY makes sense in the big picture, hold up related pieces and make sure, measure two more times, THEN cut." ;-)

But like I said, if I build another plane, I'll build both wings together again.

[byoung]

I think there is a definite productivity benefit from doing both wings at the same time. For me, the head scratching effort before doing any real work is a significant pause in tangible progress. Once I know what to do it feels good to crank through the same process on the other wing. It always goes faster and provides some confidence that I am getting better as a builder.
Shop and jig space for both wings is definitely required if you are going to do it though. And clecos! I think I placed 3 orders for clecos from the Yard store before I had enough.

[blueflyer]

Originally Posted by rzbill

Get a lot more clecos. The common allotment is not nearly enough for doing two at a a time.

The lack of clecos didn't even cross my mind! Great tip.