To Jig or not to Jig?
 

I am a first time builder about to start a Great Planes Super Sportster 60 kit. I know by searching the forums that there are many out there who have built this kit. My question is: Is a wing jig necessary for this kit? I have been told that I should get one due to the fully symmetrical airfoil on this wing. Any thoughts? :D

Luke[8D]

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

Jigs are really nice. They remove a lot of the possibility for error, but you can still screw a wing up even if you do use a jig, and your wing is only as accurate as the jig. Likewise, you can build a great wing without a jig. Personally, I'd use this method:[link=http://www.airfieldmodels.com/information_source/how_to/tools/magnetic_building_board/index.htm]Build With Magnets[/link].

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

Primodus,

I have used Super Sportster 40 (it builds exactly the same as it's bigger brother). Due to a freak incident a few years ago, I had to completely rebuild the wing from scratch. I had only ARF experience at the time, so I consider it my first build also. I did it without a jig. It's a constant chord wing, which makes it very easy to build. The fully symmetrical airfoil doesn't make it difficult. Just build it like the instructions say and you'll be okay.

Juice

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

I aggree with Juice. Built mine without using a jig. Flies fine.

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

Juice thats one fine covering work! How did you do it?

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

i built mine without and had no problems. the ribs do have jig tab on the to keep them level. as long as you have a flat level building surface and take your time you should be ok.

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

I agree with the others. A jig is not necessary as Great Planes has provided tabs on the ribs to keep things aligned as long as your building board is flat. The SS 60 is a really fun plane to fly, and it builds up nicely with no special tools

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

Thanks for all the input! Just got the kit via FedEx and now it's time to build![8D] I hope it's as easy as you all say :D

Luke[8D]

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

A couple of thoughts on the subject:

Start with a flat surface to build on. A solid core door covered with 5/8th sheetrock is one cheap and easy way to a good worktop. Look for a damaged door in a lumberyard. They sell these cheap, and a nicked edge or corner won't bother you using it.

Go to the hardware store and get 2 or 3 of those long aluminum yardsticks. I have them in three four and six foot lengths. Use one to check the table for flat. Check length-wise, front-to-back and corner to corner.

Hunt up some inexpensive squares of various sizes to use to set the ribs vertical and square to the spars and so on. Even if building off the plans, it doesn't hurt to use a square. Plans aren't always right on.

I finally learned that small weights are easier and faster than pins to hold things in place.

Once you have the components built, you can use this flat table to assemble the parts and measure to get the parts all aligned with each other. Wing and tail parallel, thrust line right, etc.

Maybe this sounds like a lot of trouble to go to, but you only need to get set up once, then you can build anytime. You can always trim a warped plane to fly around OK, but once you fly a really straight, light ship, you'll understand the difference. You can trim the warped one at one speed, but as soon as the speed changes, the trim is no longer right. So you spend a lot of time (consciously or not), fighting the thing and wondering why it isn't going exactly where you want it.

It really is fairly easy, just take some time to measure twice and glue once. Make that three times....And if parts don't fit, trim and sand until they do. Parts forced into place warp the whole shebang. Don't be afraid to replace bad kit parts for better wood or better fit. All the little details add up to a really good looking, nice flying bird. Good luck and good times!

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

Good tips kdheath:D I am looking forward to building this kit and getting back in the air.

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

I have never used a jig before but I just got done building a Balsa Nova (fully symetrical with double taper) and they have you pin the main spar against the board and they rest the ribs on a 3/8 hardwood dowl. They give you the location on the plans to place it and it seemed to work out well. Just make sure the dowl is straight and tightly pinned down.

The neat thing about this is you can dial in a little wash-out just by moving the dowl. Just check your measurements before final glueing.


Scot

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

I have built wings with and without a wing jig. Although jig building wings and fuses makes them very straight it is also a bit of a pain. My wing jig uses 2 rods that are suspended by multiple plastic retainers that can be slid along the wing jig. Each wing rib must have holes to pass the 2 rods through, the holes must be exactly placed or the wing will go together wrong.

If I am building from scratch I will use the jig because I have already planned for the holes in the wing ribs. But if its a kit then I usually dont bother.

RE: To Jig or not to Jig?
 

Sounds like an Adjusto-Jig! I like mine, but now I use 3/8th inch aircraft aluminum tubing for and aft, clamped onto two tall aluminum blocks. You just sight-bore the tubes 'til straight.