Has anyone used alternative methods to rib lacing?

[tracstarr]

Right, mechanically attached. Has anyone tried alternates to stitching? It's not about the time or anything. I'm just curious.

[avidflyer]

The Avid Magnum used staples that curled as they went in so they would hold more. No doubt, that would be fast and easy. Maybe not near as good the second time around with a bunch of holes in the capstrips, and it would probably be hard to get the staples out when you are stripping the fabric. Probably most of the early Avids and Kitfoxes did not ribstich. I've had 4 Avids and one Kitfox that weren't ribstiched with no problems. I did ribstich the Avid and Kifox 4 wings when I recovered them though. Partly because I already had the materials from when I bought a bunch of left over stuff from some one else supplies. It also does take the worry out of things, and maybe would help in case of resale. Besides, as others have said, it's not that hard or time consuming once you get at it. JImChuk

[tracstarr]

Thanks.

I guess to be honest, some of my curiosity comes with taking on Oratex as my fabric of choice. Wondering if gluing to the ribs would be just as good. It would be a cleaner look. I'm not sure I want to be the first to test that though.

[avidflyer]

To be legal, on a certified aircraft, Poly Fiber says you have to mechanicly attach the fabric. Oratex is not Poly fiber though, so I would ask, What does Oratex require you to do. They should know their product. JImChuk

[Shadowrider]

Oratex states if rib stitching is required by manufacture of aircraft then you need to.

[David47]

If you look at some older aircraft - by that I mean 1930's and on - some used to use a rounded bead of wood "U" shaped if you will - and they nailed this to the rib cap once the fabric was applied. For mine, you're building a rag and tube airplane and aside from the potential safety issue which I think is important, seeing rib stitching is part of the fabric covering "look". I didn't stitch my empennage surfaces but stitched my wings.

[BobRS]

Just do it! There was a image posted on this forum some number of years ago of a KF flying without rib stitching. Most of the fabric on the top of the wings had ballooned since the image was taken from a chase plane. We took the class at Oshkosh, but the DVD video is better. After the 1st rib, stitching become very routine. Just be sure to have plenty of band aids for your fingers (you'll understand when you pull the twine tight). My wife did >1/2 of the stitches on both wings. Nothing to be afraid of, but buy the video.

BobRS
KF SS7, Rotax 914 and Flying
Albuquerque, NM