> Pietenpol-List: Gusset questions> From: rmueller23(at)gmail.com> Da
Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 8:49 am
Original Posted By:> Subject: Pietenpol-List: Gusset questions> rmueller23(at)gmail.com> Da
Hi RyanYou echo concerns I had only a week or so ago. I am using the Riblett aerofoil (as are a number of us "Down-Under" Piet builders), and so the gusset shapes may be a little different.I cut a full size rib as a template for the capstrips, braces and gussets. I cut my gussets from 1 3/16" strips of 1.5mm ply. Given 32 ribs, each requiring gussets on both sides, I needed 64 gussets at each station. Using the template gusset as a guide, I stacked 11 strips of ply, and cut 6 gussets from each stack on the bandsaw, giving 66 gussets for each station.To avoid the need for staples/nails, I made up 20 weight blocks from 1" steel bar. Each block is 1 1/2" long, cleaned up on the lathe, and wrapped with plastic tape so it doesn't stick to the gusset. Just place each block on the gusset as it is glued, ensuring the gusset doesn't slide. I'm using West Systems with its proprietary filler, to give a nice thixotropic glue similar to Techniglue but with more control over the viscosity. The blocks provide sufficient pressure to ensure full surface contact, but avoiding glue-starved joints caused by over-clamping.When gluing the starboard side gussets, having sanded the capstrips flush, I used cut sections of 40mm pvc pipe as claps, with the rib raised off the bench on 1X1" timbers (left over from the mockup I built).More details, if you're interested, at http://www.mykitplane.com/Planes/buildL ... ersRobPiet building in Perth, Western Australia
Hi RyanYou echo concerns I had only a week or so ago. I am using the Riblett aerofoil (as are a number of us "Down-Under" Piet builders), and so the gusset shapes may be a little different.I cut a full size rib as a template for the capstrips, braces and gussets. I cut my gussets from 1 3/16" strips of 1.5mm ply. Given 32 ribs, each requiring gussets on both sides, I needed 64 gussets at each station. Using the template gusset as a guide, I stacked 11 strips of ply, and cut 6 gussets from each stack on the bandsaw, giving 66 gussets for each station.To avoid the need for staples/nails, I made up 20 weight blocks from 1" steel bar. Each block is 1 1/2" long, cleaned up on the lathe, and wrapped with plastic tape so it doesn't stick to the gusset. Just place each block on the gusset as it is glued, ensuring the gusset doesn't slide. I'm using West Systems with its proprietary filler, to give a nice thixotropic glue similar to Techniglue but with more control over the viscosity. The blocks provide sufficient pressure to ensure full surface contact, but avoiding glue-starved joints caused by over-clamping.When gluing the starboard side gussets, having sanded the capstrips flush, I used cut sections of 40mm pvc pipe as claps, with the rib raised off the bench on 1X1" timbers (left over from the mockup I built).More details, if you're interested, at http://www.mykitplane.com/Planes/buildL ... ersRobPiet building in Perth, Western Australia