Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
10/02/2001 07:40:42 AMList,I know we've been over this longeron stuff ad infinitum, but one lastquestion about the whole grain thing came to mind. It makes sense to me tohave the end grain of the lower longerons horizontally oriented (as in thebentwood rocker example) because the lower longeron bending (compression)forces are most easily dealt with in that direction. However, what aboutthe TOP longerons? They are subjected to the greatest bending forces(compression) when the the 2 sides are brought together at the tail post.So, my question is, does anyone see any compelling reason NOT to have thelower longerons oriented with the grain horizontal & the top ones with thegrain vertical?BTW, whoever mentioned the effect of grain on drilling straight holes isabsolutely right. I learned a trick from an old wooden boat builder aroundhere for dealing with that. Grind the point of your drill bit off so it'sflat (i.e. like a drift), and it won't have as great a tendency to bepulled to one side or the other by the grain. Use a normal bit for startingyour hole, then use the ground-off one.Hoping everyone will be back in the air soon,Kip GardnerLaboratory ManagerOld Dominion UniversityDept. of Ocean, Earth & Atmos. Sciences, Rm. 4414600 Elkhorn Ave.Norfolk, VA 23529Ph: 757-683-5654Bumper Sticker of the Week:"Don't Drive Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly"________________________________________________________________________________