This
is the package of wood etc. I ordered from Slec.
From
this I start to build a kit, from which I can subsequently build an
aeroplane!
First the ribs; a great way to use up odd scraps of 1/16 inch balsa. Count the ribs carefully off the plan and sandwich the right number between ply templates:
First the ribs; a great way to use up odd scraps of 1/16 inch balsa. Count the ribs carefully off the plan and sandwich the right number between ply templates:
Then double-check the number before carving and sanding ribs to shape like so:
Here are one wing's worth:
The next job will be making the aluminium/ply/balsa wing joiner...
Cheers, Russell H
I always wondered what the best way was to cut wing ribs. Now I know :0)
ReplyDeleteLooking good Russel, I enjoy building the wings more than any other part but I lack the patience to accurately cut the ribs. A while back I bought a cheapo Chinese laser cutter, which is why Im now into building model planes. I also ordered my balsa from SLEC, they seem to be a good company.
ReplyDeleteHere is a clip of the "Little Plank" ribs
Laser cut ribs
That's a pretty nifty cutter. I can see it's fine for one rib size (parallel chord), would it cope with tapered wings when there are only two templates on the plan?
DeleteYes it's a parallel chord wing, I see what you mean by only having two templates, there are programs that will calculate all the ribs in between and you can set cutouts for the spars, I think I have used Profili before, it's free to a certain point, some limitations when printing to paper but as long as it shows the rib profile on the screen, I take a screen grab and size it in the cutting program then straight to the laser cutter.
ReplyDelete