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Forming aluminum around thin rudder form block
I'm doing up my form blocks for the rudder, the top rudder tip block comes to a very thin 3mm at the end.
Since its so thin I'm going to make those blocks out of plywood. Hoping that's lends some support.
Any tips on shaping a rib around such a thin form
Thanks
Michael in Toronto
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brian Thomas on
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I'll fess up. I made seven upper tail ribs, poorly, before I realized I should be using a brass hammer instead of the plastic hammer I had been using. In fairness, I learned and got the lower tail rib done in one try.
Regardless, go slowly and don't try to get it all in one pass.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Hill on
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I did a video speciffically on forming the tip rib a few months ago because of the same question. hope it helps, Dan.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Hopwood on
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Hi Dan, I watched you video. Neat. I am a kit builder but was interested anyway. One question is what do you do with the two holes for tip ribs? Do you just leave them or do you seal someway?
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Hi Joe: Leave the holes, but one of them will be opened up and a grommet installed for wiring for the strobe.
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Joe: I have provided you with incorrect information and you have found a flaw with my video of forming the rudder rib. It does not have any tooling holes in it. I was thinking about it this evening and got out the plans which shows no holes. I then went to the airplane factory to look at my rudder and was happy to find that it has no holes. The holes in the form block were put there to hold the form blocks together and aligned when I built the blocks themselves. when I formed my rudder rib the aluminum was held in the blocks with clamps and the vise so it has no holes. I will go back and edit the video to point this out. Great reminder to always check the plans. Thank you, Dan.
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Glad I was able to help in some small way. Keep up the good work. I have considered some videos but just never seem to make the time.
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Permalink Reply by Damon Brantley on
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I will add my video to the list as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOOy9W8IR_Y&t=1168s
It does not cover the tip rib like Dan's does, but there may be some things you might find useful.
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