lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> I bonded my skins with the a/c in the normal position. I found that the skins were reasonably accurate in contour and all I did was to ensure that the fit in the fuselage to wing fillet was good. I prefitted and clamped the skins. On the outboard rib I used small finishing nails to provide what I call a "Jig point" This is an old wood working trick. Cut the head off a 11/2" finishing nail, chuck it up in your drill and drill a hole through the skin and into the rib. You can then insert a finishing nail into this hole and us it to align the skin after you have spread the glue. By this means you get back to the same alignment every time. To clamp the skin I used "G" clamps on the rear to clamp it to the rear spar with a batten of wood to spread the load and prevent it slipping. I used sand bags to weight the skin in the area of the partial rib in the gear well. I used #6 machine screws along the fuselage fillet. The most difficult part to clamp is the wrap around the leadind edge to where it seats on the main spar. To do this I used two 11/2 ton hydraulic jacks pushing off the floor onto a piece of 2" x 4" which I aligned along the glue line. I used duct tape to prevent an inadvertent bond and I kept it just forward of the glue line so as to be able to check the squeeze out. The BL50 rib is easy to clamp and you can also use sheet metal screws if needs be. The nails you have used can be pulled out before the glue sets and after you are happy with the alignment/gluing. IMPORTANT POINTS. 1. The prefitting and alignment is all important. Also you have to ensure you can get it back in the same place after you have removed it to apply the glue. 2. You need to have squeeze out of the glue. 3. careful you do not glue your wooden pieces to the skin. Having done all the above, I still turned the plane over to apply the BID to all the mating surfaces in the wheel well. Turning the plane was a gift compared with the anticipated misery in handling wet fibreglass upside down. Also I believe I did a much better job as some of the areas are real difficult to reach from below. Your call but I believe the best way to glue is right side up and the best way to apply the glass is upside down. If I can be of any help E mail me and I will be happy to see what I can do. Best regards Ian Crowe. 360 FB >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>