Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "BELLISSIMO, DOMENIC"
Hi folks, Some years ago when I was just starting building I spoke with ViKapler at Brodhead about this topic. I asked him why, when using 3/4inch spars you couldn't adjust the rib jig to accomodate 3/4 inch sparsinstead of cutting and glueing the plywood at each rib. He thought theonly reason for using the ply spacers was so they could build the ribs inthe same jig as they used for one inch spars. I have one inch spars so did not test the idea. Remember Mr.Pietenpol not only used 3/4 inch solid spars but also made laminated oneswith stacks of 3/4 members glued and nailed to form spars. She's one fine, tough old bird. Tom__________________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Dave and Connie
Tom,I remembered that you mentioned the 3/4" spars so I went outand measured. I am going to just move the gussets in a bitto make the 3/4". The jig will get used for only one planeso it should be alright. The trip to see your project wasvery worthwhile. I will have to look more closely to decide if I should maintainthe spar to spar spacing as shown on the plans or if I shouldgo for the spar centers. The thinking on keeping the 27 3/4"spacing was that it appears that all of the hardware is on the inner sides of the spars.Dave>Hi folks,> Some years ago when I was just starting building I spoke with Vi>Kapler at Brodhead about this topic. I asked him why, when using 3/4>inch spars you couldn't adjust the rib jig to accomodate 3/4 inch spars>instead of cutting and glueing the plywood at each rib. He thought the>only reason for using the ply spacers was so they could build the ribs in>the same jig as they used for one inch spars.> I have one inch spars so did not test the idea. Remember Mr.>Pietenpol not only used 3/4 inch solid spars but also made laminated ones>with stacks of 3/4 members glued and nailed to form spars. > She's one fine, tough old bird. >Tom________________________________________________________________________________