Longeron Questions

[dwollen89]

So I spent the better part of two days bending the longerons. They were every bit as unpleasant as I envisioned, lol.

I have a couple of questions. The instructions say that the bends should be within a 1/16 inch of the template. I think I’m there. When I put the canopy deck on, it’s very very close. I spent a lot of time trying to tweak them, but I can’t get it perfect. Every change causes a different area to go out of whack. I can flex them into position with just a little pressure. My plan is to progressively flex them as I drill the canopy deck. Is that what others experienced or am I way off base here.

Secondly, just so I don’t screw this up. The .032 scrap gets clamped to the side of the longeron, flush with the top. Then the canopy deck over hangs the top of the longeron by .032. Am I seeing that right?

 

[rvbuilder2002]

I can flex them into position with just a little pressure. My plan is to progressively flex them as I drill the canopy deck. Is that what others experienced or am I way off base here.

Secondly, just so I don’t screw this up. The .032 scrap gets clamped to the side of the longeron, flush with the top. Then the canopy deck over hangs the top of the longeron by .032. Am I seeing that right?

Yes

And, yes
Because of the slight irregularities you might still have in the shape, you can position the side rail very slightly beyond the spacer as needed, to make sure it is at least .032 everywhere and then file off the extra few thousandths where needed after the side skins are riveted on.

 

[dwollen89]

Thanks for the response, it was very helpful! I got the canopy decks drilled today and everything came together perfect. I put the twist in the ends and longerons are done. Really really glad they’re done! Now I just have to wait to see how they fit. Cheers.