Comment

Comment by Tim Smart on July 28, 2011 at 7:10am

The glue sticks really hold up very well.  I think I used two or three to do all of my wing ribs.  I start the crimp initially with fluting pliers or tool and then smack the glue stick with the hammer driving the metal into the pocket.  The glue sticks are semi soft but very firm.

Comment by Greg Harris on July 27, 2011 at 10:33pm

I was using serrated needle nose pliers to start the crimps and a metal dowel to get them to form...all the while knowing this was not going to be a real rib...too many nicks and cuts in the metal to begin with. It started as a scrap piece of metal that would never have gone on the plane to begin with. It's my intent to use a wooden dowel to form the crimps into the grooves. This rib I made was literally to simply check the bevel angles on my blocks. But I like the glue stick idea...how well do they hold up to the mallet?

Comment by Tim Smart on July 27, 2011 at 10:02pm

Hey Gregg,

 

Sorry I left a space to put in the size of glue sticks I use but I posted before I looked.  The sticks I bought are 4" x .44'  or 101 mm x 11.176 mm.  I bought them from either Michael's Crafts or some similar.  I you try and it works give credit to Martin Action.  He is doing fantastic work in South Africa and is very supportive to all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comment by Tim Smart on July 27, 2011 at 9:48pm

Hello Gregg,

 

Good start with your project.  I shudder to think how many practice pieces I make.  When I posted my first rib I received a comment from a gentlemen from South Africa who gave me a tip about using a glue stick to force the material down into the flute pockets.  This tip has worked well for me, less damage, markings etc.  I use a   glue stick, here are his remarks.  Good luck with your project...

 

"On the gluestick thing, I'l try explain a bit better. I bolt my forms together, grip them in the vise, then clamp any edges not supported by the vise or bolts. Then I use the modified pliers to put a small kink in the areas that will be crimped. Then I chase the edge over slowly with the mallet. When u can see that the fold is starting to to follow the notches you cut in ur forms, I hold the glue stick on the ali over the notch at a 45deg angle, and then give it a good blow with the mallet. The shape of the gluestick forces the ali into your cutout notch without any marks or scratches. Very simple, but effective."