Original Posted By: "Craig Williams"
Welcome Ervin! It seems like every Pietenpol builder has used something different,as long as he/she determines it is strong enough for the application. Ifeveryone could have easy access to Sitka Spruce at affordable prices, that'sprobably the wood to use. In the articles and books I have Sitka is thestandard to measure against, with the best strength and weight, and manybuilders will use other wood if they decide they don't need the propertiesof Spruce in that particular application. In my case, I made sure I'm not the one forging ahead in newterritory. It has been said that the Pietenpol is overbuilt, so somewhereon the aircraft wood substitutions can be made, but I don't know where tostart so I follow-the -leaders. I'm using what others have used before me,$30 to $40 worth of Western Red Cedar for my ribs, compared to purchasingpre-cut Spruce from AS&S or Wicks at $125 +shipping. I decided W.R. Cedaris close enough in strength, to use as ribs. And cost does play a factor indeciding which wood to use, (for me anyway) . Spruce is only going up inprice. I plan to use the wood specified in the plans, unless, like theribs, I find other builders using something else successfully. The EAA wood book has information , and if you are an EAA member goto the EAA web site, sign in to the homebuilders area and read the articlesabout wood building by some very knowledgeable people. Some of them readthis list and I hope they chime in!! Kent HallstenOklahoma CityJust got my T-88 and Mahogany ply today. Ribs by the weekend!________________________________________________________________________________