ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

Here is the latest Rib-o-Matic version.  I just put this one in the mail to Dave, If he is happy with we are going to offer them for sale through the Team MiniMax website.  

The idea is that you cut the capstrip pieces for the rib, put them in the jig. then screw the 3/4 by 3/4 ply strip on the front to hold them all in place.  Next you cut the gussets and hold them in place. I find it works well to make a pencil line on the wood so you know where to stop applying the glue.  Next you add glue then just hold the gussets in place then add a small clamp. No staples, no ribs stuck to the plans.  I usually wait 12 hours for the t-88 to dry that way I can make two a day.  

The pictures are without gussets to show that the diagonal capstrips properly align with the joint.

Peter

Looks great.  I'm sure many of us are looking forward to seeing it for sale.

Tom

Pretty Slick

Quoted from Tom Looks great.  I'm sure many of us are looking forward to seeing it for sale.

Tom

+1 Me too! Is there any word of a waiting list of any kind for this?

Great idea, Peter!

When you put in the cut pieces of capstrip, do you use any epoxy on the endgrain & around the joins, or do you put them in dry & only put glue on the gussets themselves?

I could kiss your mind

Quoted from beragoobruce Great idea, Peter!

When you put in the cut pieces of capstrip, do you use any epoxy on the endgrain & around the joins, or do you put them in dry & only put glue on the gussets themselves?

I first hold up a gusset to each place where the gussets go and mark the edges with a pencil so I know where to put the glue, then I take the vertical and diagonal capstrips out one at a time and put some t88 on each end where it makes contact with the other capstrips.  then I add glue to the outer surface where the gusset will come into contact with the  capstrip then put the capstrip on each side and add a clamp.

Dave suggested I make a video I will try to do that soon.

Peter

Thanks for that, Peter.  Sounds a really good system - no more nasty staples!  (or pulling them out afterwards).

Bruce

Dang!! I finished all my ribs two months ago!! Really nice design, you should have no problem selling them and anyone just starting to build ribs would be a fool not to have one!! Add the Midwest Products Easy Cutter P/N MID 1134 and I bet you could turn out the ribs in a weekend!

Does not that cutter crush the wood at the side the blade hits first. That would make the cut end of wood unusable.

Quoted from steve.owen Does not that cutter crush the wood at the side the blade hits first. That would make the cut end of wood unusable.

We will  see! I've got one ordered, so should be here by the weekend! JonF originally posted this cutter in ETLB tips of the day. He says it does not crush "good" aircraft quality spruce.

Follow this link: http://www.lonesomebuzzards.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl/Blah.pl?m-1300738957/

Quoted from steve.owen Does not that cutter crush the wood at the side the blade hits first. That would make the cut end of wood unusable.

Steve,

I've had good luck with the one I bought.  I noticed once it got a little dull it would crush some of the wood that was harder.  then I would try to use a different part of the blade. or cut it a little on one side then a little on the other to keep it from crushing the wood.

Peter

P.S. thanks all for all the nice comments.  Dave, liked the Rib jig but suggested a few small changes. working on those now.

can you take it to someplace that sharpens scissors and have them bring it back to new?

Every shop should be equipped to sharpen it's own tools.  Most edged tools can be sharpened to a mirror finish and razor edge by rubbing out the nicks on a coarse diamond stone and then using a 1000 grit water stone followed by a 6000 grit stone.  You will then have an absolute mirror finish on the blade that you can see your face in and you'll be able to shave hairs off your arm or shavings off the back of your thumb nail.  At that level of sharpness wood cuts quick and sure with really perfect control.  I check the sharpness of my tools everyday before I use them and any that I've use for more than a cut or two in the day I touch up before I put it away.  This is one of the three great secrets to really good wood working.

Tom

Quoted from Tom   I check the sharpness of my tools everyday before I use them and any that I've use for more than a cut or two in the day I touch up before I put it away.  This is one of the three great secrets to really good wood working.

Tom

Ok Tom, I'll bite.  What are the other two great secrets to really good wood working.

Peter

The three most basic rules of good wood working according to my father Donald W. MacNaughton:
1.  Keep your tools sharp.
2.  Always cut to the outside of the line.
3.  At every stage of a project work to the very highest standard you can manage.  If you do, even though you were dissatisfied with each step, you'll be amazed to find the finished product is a lot better than you thought it would be and you'll be happy. If you feel the first step wasn't good and therefore stop trying for the best work at each step, the final result will always disappoint.

Over the years the more I've learned and the more projects I've done or supervised the more important these basic few rules seem.

Tom

Tom,

I couldn't agree more. The only thing I would add would be experience. 20 years ago I had a job making furniture.  Of course we would make mistakes, it was really just an issue of how to fix the mistake you made that made you a good carpenter.  We used to laugh about the costumers paying for our "education".  I guess I was lucky, I at least learned enough that I could get paid to learn carpentry.

Peter

I received my Easy Cutter a couple of weeks ago, but it's been too cold to goto the airport to work on my Mini! I got out there yesterday and cut some scrap 1/4 square strips and it cut wonderfully. Even at shallow angle like at the rear cap strip of the wing rib were neat and clean. Blades can be removed for sharpening or replacement. Great tool, I only wish I had it when I built all my ribs!!

Great idea!

That looks great. When will they be available?