Need advice

[MNBenny]

Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Hope your christmas was a good one.

My ribs keep turning out crappy. Does anyone have any ideas that might help me? A BH builder near me has suggested that I not close the snips all the way. I can post photos in case any one wants to see my crappy job.

take care

Ben
Plans #1227

[Mark Moyle]

My favorite tin snips are....... The aluminum specific files I use to true an edge......sneaking up to the finish line.


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[S Lathrop]

Take a look at this quarters BearTracks. There is a description of cutting the ribs with a router. That is how I did all my ribs. Takes time to make all the patterns but I was able to cut ribs 3 at a time and it took just a few minutes to do each set of three.. Time to a finished rib is way less and a ton easier than snipping them out. Plus they are all exactly the same.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

If you have access to a router, then +1 on S Lathrop 's comment. The article I wrote for this quarter BearTracks will give you some quick insight into the process. For more detailed accounts of my rib-building adventures, take a look at these two posts:

https://bearhawkforums.com/forum/bearhawk-patrol-plans-build/19435-having-a-rib-party

https://bearhawkforums.com/forum/bearhawk-patrol-plans-build/21676-fluting-party

[Bcone1381]

My opinion is that Chris' method of making ribs brings together a number of different methods and achieves what I believe is a Best Practice. Keep the bend radius on the flange generous. I set mine to something near the FAA's minimum recommended radius and did not like it.

[MNBenny]

I everyone. For some reason I'm not getting them anymore I don't think. Does it describe how to set it up?

[MNBenny]

Hey Chris how did you set that up? Dang wish I had the recent bear tracks. So I need a router for sure. What else do I need

[MNBenny]

Did you buy the electric snips from harbor freight?

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Yes, those are Harbor Freight snips. They worked quite well. I built a router table into my bench and used a long trim bit with the rough cut aluminum sandwiched in between. The forum posts referenced above cover everything in great detail. I don't recall if I created a post that talked about how I built the routing forms. I have plenty of pictures on my computer, however.

Do you have Eric Newton's Bearhawk construction manuals? The process of creating the routing forms is identical to what's presented in his books.

[MNBenny]

I just realized something. My dad does have a router. What kind of a bit do I need for it? Would I need a special table for it. Harbor Frieght wants only $50 for an electric shears.

[MNBenny]

I do remember buying them. But I haven't printed them out because it would cost way to much.

[Chris In Milwaukee]

No need to print them out They're in a PDF format, so you can read them on your computer, tablet, smart phone, or other electronical gizmo. But please do yourself a favor and read it! The Introduction and Chapter 1 are absolutely priceless and will get you through this tough startup phase. With a few exceptions, which I noted in the two referenced posts above, I followed Eric's lead with the creation of form boards and cutting/forming of ribs. Where my technique differed should be pretty obvious. If not, feel free to ask more questions. We've all been through it, and you can get through it, too!

[Chris In Milwaukee]

Ah, I found another reference for you. Check out my KitLog site from my previous (but sold) Bearhawk project:

http://mykitlog.com/users/category.php?user=ChrisOwens&project=2472&category=0

Start at the bottom. I have pretty detailed steps on how I created my routing forms up through and including the routing/deburring of the ribs.

[tbaylx]

Chris,

Thanks for taking the time to help the new builders. Those posts and on the other thread are some of the most helpful responses I've seen on any forum in a long time. Nice to see, and great pics

[Chris In Milwaukee]

My pleasure, sir. Glad to be of help!