Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Richard Navratril"
Pieters:I am using aluminum for my leading edge on my center section (GN-1). Thetop and bottom, from front spar to rear spar is 1.5 mm plywood. When I wrapthe aluminum around the leading edge and pull it back to mate up with theplywood on top (and on bottom), is it ok to just lap it over approximatelyon top of the front spar. (Likewise on the underside) Or do I need to tryto carefully cut a layer of the tiny ply down so the aluminum will lay inand mate up (butt up to ) the plywood. i guess my question is how perfectdoes the aluminum -to- plywood transition need to be to be able to cover thewhole thing with fabric and not have it look like a bag of marbles?Is it adviseable to use aircraft nails or could I use screws to attach thealuminum to the plywood?Any help is appreciated! Thanks, bert________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Fisherman Caye

Original Posted By: "Warren D. Shoun"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Leading edge question.BertYou've raised a subject that may just have as many answers as there are builders. I had my own thoughts, but after reading Craig's reply I don't know that I could improve on what he said. I had thought that anti-chafe tape might be appropriate to avoid wear on the fabric from the edge, but that would be pretty obvious if you are using 1.7 0z cover. A very slight 1/4" bend along the edge might help and the nails would then help to flatten it.For those Piet wood butchers who may be going to Sun 'n Fun April 6th through(I think) the 13th...Bert heads up the wood workshop that operates all day, every day. You won't find a better place to get answers to some of your building questions, so plan to make it a must see during your visit. I will be working with Bert and several other Piet builder/volunteers and would like to see and talk to any of you whose names are so familiar on the list. Don Hicks________________________________________________________________________________Date: Fri, 08 Mar 2002 13:13:03 -0800

Original Posted By: "Richard Navratril"
Don Hicks brought up something that I forgot to mention in my post on how toattach the LE aluminum - or any other sheet metal in similar situations.Take a slim piece of hardwood, about 3/4" square or so, and about 8 incheslong. In one end, cut a small slot just a bit thicker than the sheet metal,and about 3/16" to 1/4" deep. Wrap some safety wire around the wood belowthe slot, so that it doesn't split.Now, run the stick along the edge of the metal that is going to be againstthe spar, and g e n t l y bend a slight lip on the metal - 5 degrees or sois plenty. Just hold it at a slight angle and run it along the edge. Nowyou have a nice downturn on th emetal to lessen the step between the woodand the metal. Be sure to just bend a little bit, and you really need onlyabout 1/4". Really dresses up the join.Craig________________________________________________________________________________