What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Holding the wing vertical

rv8pilotpaul

Active Member
Anyone have a picture of how they are holding the wings vertical when installing the outboard leading edges and/or fuel tanks?
 
Ribs Vertical

I didn't hang the wing vertical, I put it on the bench bottom side up, riveted the top, then pulled it over the edge a little, put some weight on the backside and banged the rivets from underneath with someone up top holding the bucking bar. It was fun, but it doesn't take that long. Then I put it in the wing stand.
 
This is how I did it

1. place a dense foam pad on tabletop
2. prepare some sand bags. I used ziploc bags.
3. place spar, ribs up on pad with LE attach area hanging off table.
4. use sandbags on spar near inboard end to hold spar down.
5. place 2 x 4 across top of inboard spar. clamp lightly to table to insure the wing docent move.

The pad protects the table from the bolts on the bottom of the spar. A couple of clecos on the bottom side of the LE will hold it well enough to go to the topside and secure it.
 
I put some moving blankets on one of the EAA work tables. Laid the wing on it and hung the outboard end off one side. Supported the overhang with one of these I happened to have from a garage sale. I did put some padding on the roller. Clamped the spar to the other end of the table. installed the leading edge.
 

Attachments

  • Wing stand.png
    Wing stand.png
    50.4 KB · Views: 149
I "crafted" :) this. It was cheap, quick and not pretty. Used a few 2x4"s and some shipping crate sides. Used it for both wings without a problem. You can use it like shown or you can put it spar down on either the top or the bottom end.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20190119_121807.jpg
    IMG_20190119_121807.jpg
    263.7 KB · Views: 221
  • IMG_20190119_121430.jpg
    IMG_20190119_121430.jpg
    574.9 KB · Views: 253
  • IMG_20181216_112253.jpeg
    IMG_20181216_112253.jpeg
    457.7 KB · Views: 237
As others have said, I attached my leading edges and tanks while the wings were horizontal on the build table. There's no need whatsoever to do this in the vertical.
 
Fuel tanks similar method. Nice height to sit on stool and install screws, remove screws, fit, repeat...
 

Attachments

  • 1BD2D319-359C-4702-AE8E-5D2F58588E2E.jpeg
    1BD2D319-359C-4702-AE8E-5D2F58588E2E.jpeg
    928.4 KB · Views: 168
  • AC9B0920-D4A7-4C82-A496-54A69D6CDE7E.jpeg
    AC9B0920-D4A7-4C82-A496-54A69D6CDE7E.jpeg
    636.2 KB · Views: 166
Back
Top