Straightening and Flanging Wing Ribs

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Having almost finished this process, I have a "production" approach that has helped me move through the ribs efficiently.

1) Do both wings at the same time

2) Do all of the deburring and edge finishing first

This is catch up with the wife and watch television time. So pull up a couch, flip on the TV or chat with the wife and jump in: (FYI, my wife just went up to bed so I am watching a tribute to KISS and will be back to flanging after I write this.)

3) Start with your flanging pliers and straighten the flanges on either end of the ribs. This will calibrate your feel to the amount of force needed to achieve the 90 degree bend. Measure with a small 90 degree triangle with the 90 degree corner cut out so you can fit it flush against the flanges without the bend radius interfering. I have a small 1/16th inch ply triangle that I used a lot in my model building.

4) Next straighten the flanges that will attach to the skins. Check for 90 degrees.

5) Now, fish out your crimping pliers. Get the good ones from Avery. That is the ones that are modified vice grips with 1/8 inch steel rods welded to the jaws. Place the rib flanges down on a flat surface to see where the center of the bow is. Start crimping at the center of the bow. Use more force at the center than at the edges.

6) Use a long straight edge to measure across the tops of the holes on the end. If all of the holes don't line up across the top, crimp some more, but use less pressure than the first time around. If the center starts to bow inward too much, flatten the crimps slightly with your flanging pliers. Either way, don't go overboard with force.

7) Repeat 53 more times.

Enjoy. I am back at it. Wow THAT is a dress on Natasha Hendridge (sp?). Holy cow Gene is an ugly boy!

Antony

[Lorin Dueck]

Anthony -

Good post...
I essentially did the same thing.

After a while you get a good feel for it.
You won't need a 90 deg guage - and you can eyeball the rivet line for straightness.

If using the Avery Vice Grip "fluters" make sure they are not set close to the clamping point.
Otherwise it will overcenter and put in a deeper flute than you intended
(don't ask me how I know).
If it does happen - just straighten it out with a pair of seamers.

I recently finished my tank ribs.
The flutes were good and the flanges were perpendicular - until I dimpled them.
The dimples acted like crimps forcing the flanges over 90 deg.
I had to go back and adjust them.

Thx,
Lorin D
9A Wings
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