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Thread: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

  1. #1

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    Default Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    Hello,

    I'm installing the rudder and vertical stabilizer ribs and there are 4 places where the ribs are bonded to the tubes.
    The issue is that while bonding the ribs to the tubes, some of them (all except one) are not on the same line.
    The top ribs are not on the same line because the rudder tube is thinner than the vertical stabilizer tube (left picture).
    The second tubes from the top are on the same line, but the two bottom ones are not (right picture).

    IMG_0384.jpgIMG_0383.jpg
    Any recommendations to make them on the same line or should I go ahead and bond them to the tubes?

    Thanks,
    Motti

  2. #2
    Senior Member Benbell4140's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    I aligned all of my ribs horizontally regardless of the tubes.


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    Ben Bell
    Building 7 super sport
    O200 powered

  3. #3
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    Agreed, shim them. It's just an appearance thing and while no one has ever accused me of being OCD, I would always be annoyed when looking at the completed airplane.

    And good on you for attaching the movable and stationary surfaces together before whipping out the Hysol. Some people discover this condition later on.
    Kitfox 5 (under construction)
    Commercial SE/ME, CFII

  4. #4

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    Default Re: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    Thank you Ben!

  5. #5

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    Default Re: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    Thank you, Alex!I followed your and Ben's advice and made sure the ribs are vertically aligned. The only Rib I can't align is the very bottom one. Even if I put it all the way down, it's still higher than the rib at the bottom of the fuselage.

  6. #6
    taff's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    Do you think this alignment has anything to do with it?
    Can it be adjusted?
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    Completed my Classic 4, May 2003. It had std wings. speedster tail.
    912 UL Rotax. Sold to a person in Spain.

    Completed a Skybolt December 2018

  7. #7
    taff's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    It probably is the angle at which the photo was taken.

    The yellow lines are close to being the same length and there looks more space between the green at the right of the picture.
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    Completed my Classic 4, May 2003. It had std wings. speedster tail.
    912 UL Rotax. Sold to a person in Spain.

    Completed a Skybolt December 2018

  8. #8
    Senior Member rv9ralph's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    When you build up the tips on that you can make the finished edges align.

    Ralph

  9. #9

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    Default Re: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    The only option I see is to align the rudder rib and make it look nice and straight with the balsa/foam build at the top.
    The rudder is in the right distance from the stabilizer, so I don’t see how I can change it differently.
    Non of those ribs are bonded yet, so I’m open to any suggestions.

    Thanks for your help!

  10. #10
    taff's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vertical Stabilizer and Rudder Ribs

    Quote Originally Posted by rv9ralph View Post
    When you build up the tips on that you can make the finished edges align.

    Ralph
    Kind of like this, this was from my IV building.

    This difference at the top was hardly noticeable after the build.
    The ribs lined up pretty good.

    This is an old picture. (note: thanks goodness for digital cameras)
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Completed my Classic 4, May 2003. It had std wings. speedster tail.
    912 UL Rotax. Sold to a person in Spain.

    Completed a Skybolt December 2018

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