Date: November 5, 2007

I finally got a chance to get back to work on this airplane. For the last week I was working on my LT-40. It is my only flight worthy airplane, and I needed to make a few changes before I took it flying Saturday. Those completed I got back to work on this one.

Tonight I hoped to get the wing joiner tube in place. A small snag prevents me, but I'll get that to in a bit.

First I need two pieces of 1/4" ply to simulate the wing center piece. The first will serve as a template for future pieces, specifically the actual wing center piece. The second piece will be a stand-in without the decending hook. This will make putting the wing together easier. I know that probably sounds vague, but hopefully my pictures and words that follow will make things clear.

I got started by tracing the #1 rib onto 1/4" ply. I included the 1/4" joiner bolt holes, as well as the opening for the joiner tube. (See Picture 1)

Next I bolted two pieces together. (See Picture 2 and 3)

Next I drew a line roughly down the center of the joiner tube hole. (See Picture 4)

Then I marked the top, center, and bottom of the hole the joiner tube will sit in. (See Picture 5)

Finally, I drilled a small hole for the center of joiner tube. At this point the template is complete. The three holes drilled into this wood provide the location of all the holes needed for the actual center piece. So one of these two is the template, the other will become the holder for the wing joiner tube while I position all the reinforcements. (See entry for october 20, pictures 9 and 10)

And here is where I had to stop. I had previously tried a 1/2" hole for the joiner tube. It was just the right size for the aluminum tube, but not large enough for the paper tube. I since went out and bought a 9/16" drill bit. I test drilled a piece of scrap, and found this hole to be a bit too large. So I will stop at the store, and see if I can find a 17/32" bit. If I do not, I will forego using a paper enclosure tube, and use the aluminum tube without it.

Picture 1: Trace the #1 rib onto a piece of plywood, including joiner tube hole.
Picture 2: Cut two pieces of 1/4" ply. One to serve as a future template.
Picture 3: Cut two pieces of 1/4" ply. One to serve as a future template.
Picture 4: Draw a center line in the wing joiner hole.
Picture 5: Mark top, center, and bottome of joiner tube hole.
Picture 6: Drill small pilot hole through both pieces.