Rear Capstrips can i use 3/16 instead of 1/8

[NickB]

I have been putting off purchasig the rear capstrips for as long as i can trying to find a source for the 1/8 at 14ft lengths (i am in australia so buying from wicks is not really practical as far as shipping price), most issues are the length not the size (plenty carry 12ft lengths but not 14ft). I have found a couple of suppliers that can supply 3/16 6061 T6 at 14ft lengths and was wondering apart from shaving 1.5mm off ribs etc whether there were any other throughts as to the impacts of using 3/16 instead of 1/8 for the rear capstrips?

Some thoughts were:
would have to make the spacers 3/16 as well
would have to shorten ribs by 1.5 mm
look into how to make the hinges etc fit, or is 1.5mm variance not an issue with these?

Thanks
Nick
BH1172

[Mark Goldberg]

Have you thought about the extra weight you will be adding? You might consider looking for a "freight consolidator" who puts together different shipments into one container. You might find the cost not too terrible high. Mark

[N3UW]

I have been putting off purchasig the rear capstrips for as long as i can trying to find a source for the 1/8 at 14ft lengths (i am in australia so buying from wicks is not really practical as far as shipping price), most issues are the length not the size (plenty carry 12ft lengths but not 14ft). I have found a couple of suppliers that can supply 3/16 6061 T6 at 14ft lengths and was wondering apart from shaving 1.5mm off ribs etc whether there were any other throughts as to the impacts of using 3/16 instead of 1/8 for the rear capstrips?

Some thoughts were:
would have to make the spacers 3/16 as well
would have to shorten ribs by 1.5 mm
look into how to make the hinges etc fit, or is 1.5mm variance not an issue with these?

Thanks
Nick
BH1172

Nick,
I had talked to Bob about the same thing on the patrol. I talked about thicker cap strips on the rear spar because I was having a hard time finding the material. He said it was not a problem using the thicker material but you would have to adjust ribs, flap support / aileron support etc to compensate. I would talk to bob about what you could substitute. There may be a way to user a 12' with some other changes. He may have some ideas.