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How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 7th 19, 05:30 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

Hope you find this presentation useful for your winter project enjoyment.

http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/#spartool

Regards, John OHM Ω
  #2  
Old January 7th 19, 08:19 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

Or if you don't have the tools for a DIY tool see:
http://glidersource.com/cgi-bin/post.cgi?id=1306

On Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 8:30:23 PM UTC-8, OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
Hope you find this presentation useful for your winter project enjoyment.

http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/#spartool

Regards, John OHM Ω


  #3  
Old January 7th 19, 09:50 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

On Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 11:30:23 PM UTC-5, OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
Hope you find this presentation useful for your winter project enjoyment.

http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/#spartool

Regards, John OHM Ω


Thanks Ohm. Have you tried filing part of of the hardwood pin to actually make it "eccentric"? In my glider that part (built into the spar pin) makes a huge difference, as it pulls the two wing halves together as you twist it.
  #4  
Old January 7th 19, 10:27 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

Steve Bralla manufactured the "Z5" eccentric tool for several years before losing access to the machine tools needed for fabricating them. He kindly offered the rights to me a couple of years ago. I have been building them since then, and although they are not on my website (yet), I am still making and stocking them.

info (at) mmfabrication (dot) com

  #5  
Old January 8th 19, 04:07 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

On Monday, January 7, 2019 at 1:27:14 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Steve Bralla manufactured the "Z5" eccentric tool for several years before losing access to the machine tools needed for fabricating them. He kindly offered the rights to me a couple of years ago. I have been building them since then, and although they are not on my website (yet), I am still making and stocking them.

info (at) mmfabrication (dot) com


I've got one of the Z5 eccentric tools, and its a great help. But it can only be inserted when the wings are within about ¼" from closure. It would be even better if more eccentricity was present, to allow the tool to be inserted with the wings further from closure. I think the strength of the plastic tool could be maintained by putting a steel rod down the center.
  #6  
Old January 8th 19, 04:44 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

I've got one of the Z5 eccentric tools, and its a great help. But it can only be inserted when the wings are within about ¼" from closure. It would be even better if more eccentricity was present, to allow the tool to be inserted with the wings further from closure. I think the strength of the plastic tool could be maintained by putting a steel rod down the center.

Depending on the major diameter of the pin, I try to make the smaller eccentric stub as small as I reasonably can without compromising strength. Generally, a pin of 32-36 mm has a stub of around 22 mm, for about 10-14 mm advantage. I have made some pins with a smaller diameter stub, and incorporated a stainless steel reinforcing pin through the center of the stub into the main body. Naturally, this option will cost more. I also have the capability to mill a 1/2 inch square socket in the end for a 1/2 inch drive ratchet in case the handle holes (at 45 degree spacing) aren't sufficient for handle clearance inside the fuselage.

  #7  
Old January 8th 19, 07:47 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

I have updated my simple presentation to add a warning (and a paint scheme) about mistakenly leaving the wooden spar alignment tool in place after finishing rigging instead of replacing it with the proper steel pin. Many thanks to Lee Braith for pointing this flaw out to me.

http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/#spartool

- John OHM Ω
  #8  
Old January 8th 19, 10:18 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
JS[_5_]
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

On Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 7:07:57 AM UTC-8, wrote:

I think the strength of the plastic tool could be maintained by putting a steel rod down the center.


That would be the Cobra one, owned a few. May have one or two at home to sell. Think they're for ASW27/28/29 and Duo.
Jim
  #9  
Old January 9th 19, 04:10 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

On Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 12:47:58 PM UTC-6, OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
I have updated my simple presentation to add a warning (and a paint scheme) about mistakenly leaving the wooden spar alignment tool in place after finishing rigging instead of replacing it with the proper steel pin. Many thanks to Lee Braith for pointing this flaw out to me.

http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presentations/#spartool

- John OHM Ω


John, when moving from a more humid climate to the dry air out West your dowel will fail miserably. If your tool works here in Chicago, you'll find it rattling around in the bushings when out at Nephi. The drying wood shrinks quite substantially. Do it right and make the tool out of steel or plastic..
Herb, J7
  #10  
Old January 9th 19, 06:43 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)
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Default How to Make a Poor Man's Spar Alignment Tool

Better range......make it out of metal. I have used "home brewed" aluminum to good success in the northeast. Plastic may work fairly well, yes, wood changes a lot depending mostly on humidity. Metal changes more with temp (the whole, "thermal expansion thingy" which aluminum changes more than steel)..
 




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