Original Posted By: "Michael Silvius"
With a couple of cuts on a table saw (2 on top, 2 on bottom) the LE can really easily be preshaped for sanding and planing. Additionally, I lowered the saw blade and cut one last notch on the top surface, about 1/16" deep to allow the 1/16" ply to fit into.Attached pic isn't too good but maybe the idea comes across. Seemed like a really simple way to give the ply a spot to attach and keep a nice clean airfoil (like my flying skills will require a perfect airfoil!).I laminted the entire LE from scraps of Spruce as can be seen in the dark glue line.My .02Jim in Pryor OK ________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Leading edge shaping....
Re: Pietenpol-List: More leading edge questions/ideas
Original Posted By: Michael Perez
Michael:FWIW, my Flaconar F-12 is done just like that and cruises just about twice as fast as the Piet.Michael in Maine ----- Original Message -----
Michael:FWIW, my Flaconar F-12 is done just like that and cruises just about twice as fast as the Piet.Michael in Maine ----- Original Message -----
RE: Pietenpol-List: More leading edge questions/ideas
Original Posted By: owner-pietenpol-list-server(at)matronics.com
So, how would one maintain the shape of the leading edge plywood if it isunsupported?I agree that the plywood would automatically form "a shape". Smooth, yes,but would that shape be the shape you want/need? Without a former to holdthe shape, you're at the mercy of however the wood bends. That was thereason why I mentioned the full profile wing rib - then you would havesomething for the wood to wrap around.I'm not trying to argue either. I just don't see any advantage to whatyou're proposing. I would imagine that cost savings (if any) would beminimal. It definitely sounds like more work to me. Just a side note here, but the original Pietenpol plans do not have plywoodsheeting on the bottom of the rib leading edge - just on the top side. Notsure what the requirements are in the US, but up in Canada, if the ply wasinstalled top and bottom, back to the spar, a builder would have to have aseparate inspection done before closing in that area (like a box beam) inaddition to the pre-cover inspection. That extra inspection will cost thebuilder a few hundred bucks.If you do build a mock-up to test the bent plywood for impact resistance,remember to throw the seagull at the leading edge at about 75 mph.Bill C. _____
So, how would one maintain the shape of the leading edge plywood if it isunsupported?I agree that the plywood would automatically form "a shape". Smooth, yes,but would that shape be the shape you want/need? Without a former to holdthe shape, you're at the mercy of however the wood bends. That was thereason why I mentioned the full profile wing rib - then you would havesomething for the wood to wrap around.I'm not trying to argue either. I just don't see any advantage to whatyou're proposing. I would imagine that cost savings (if any) would beminimal. It definitely sounds like more work to me. Just a side note here, but the original Pietenpol plans do not have plywoodsheeting on the bottom of the rib leading edge - just on the top side. Notsure what the requirements are in the US, but up in Canada, if the ply wasinstalled top and bottom, back to the spar, a builder would have to have aseparate inspection done before closing in that area (like a box beam) inaddition to the pre-cover inspection. That extra inspection will cost thebuilder a few hundred bucks.If you do build a mock-up to test the bent plywood for impact resistance,remember to throw the seagull at the leading edge at about 75 mph.Bill C. _____