Brodhead Pietenpol Association

I folks..... I also posted this queston on the facebook group.
I was given spar material that is 4.5 inches x 3/4 inches ---- and I have designed all the ribs for 1 inch so will have to build the spars up to fit that size. .......... the following is my post............

It will be a few weeks before I actually do this, but starting to think about building caps strips for the spars I got ---- to make them the 1 in. x 4 3/4 in. .................The spars I got are 4.5" x 3/4 ". I was thinking of gluing the rib cap strip material, which is also spruce, to build spars the correct size. I am new to wood work so double checking everything. The cap strip spruce feels a bit softer than the hard spruce spar laminate material ----- or do you think it is all the same? Is this a good idea?.......... Or should I find some other spruce to use? Or can I use small strips of hemlock and/or fir which is easy to find around here?........... would love to hear thoughts and suggestions. My spruce cap strip material is standard at 1/2" x 1/4" ----- thanks

Mark

An epoxied strip on your spar will result in a spar of different strength than a spar of solid 4.5 inches. I know there is more than one way to build the spars but I suggest you take your advice from an engineer. You're right at the beginning of your wing build and can't change this decision.
Good luck
Jeffrey Kornblum