May 15, 2013 - Finish Gluing Spar Ladders
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I had one set of spar ladders glued: the Upper wing. I wanted to get the other two sets glued before my parents visit in a few weeks. So I worked hard for about a week and got them done.
Here I have one of the center wing spar ladders glued and clamped. I realized that the spar table is absolutely essential for this job. Mr. Sands knew what he was doing when he included diagrams for the spar table in the plans!
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A close-up of the other side.
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Although I had the spar flanges done, I still had to fashion the little spar spacer blocks for the middle and lower wings.
Here I have just cut the spacers to the correct width. They still need cutting to the correct height which differs because the spar flange is tapered.
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The spruce wood is of such high quality that I hate to throw it away. I keep all the remnnants in this big pile.
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| Glueing and clamping the second middle wing spar ladder. |
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| Another close up on the opposite end. |
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| Laying out the two lower wing spar ladders for fitting. The spacers are in place but have to be cut to the correct height to conform to the spar flanges. |
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From the opposite side.
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| The spacers after having been cut to the correct height. The holes are per the plans, and are to allow air to circulate in the spar box. |
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I mark in pencil where the spacers go. This is so I know where to apply the T-88 glue.
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| Glueing and clamping one of the lower wing spar ladders. |
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| A close-up. As you can see, the job requires many clamps. Fortunately, clamps are cheap at Harbor Freight. |
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| OK! All six spar ladders are glued. You can see how the upper wing is longest, the center wing is a little shorter, and the lower wing is the shortest. |
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A close-up.
The next step is to cover the spar ladders -- both sides -- with 1/8" thick birch plywood.
We are getting there, slowly but surely.
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