Curve in VS Doubler?

s10sakota · Post by **s10sakota** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:30 pm

Hello Fellow Rivetbangers!

The VS spar doubler is an 1/8" thick piece of aluminum that comes with a strong bow to it.

When I cleco it to the VS spar, it introduces a slight bend or bow in the spar-pics here
http://www.aircraftstickers.com/RV7A/6nov11.htm

Is this OK? Is there a way to straighten the doubler? Or will it be OK once I rivet the skins on?

Thanks!!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:34 pm

It will straighten out when you put the skins on.

s10sakota · Post by **s10sakota** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:36 pm

Great! Thanks

prestwich · Post by **prestwich** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 8:58 pm

That's a pretty serious bow. I'd straighten the part first.

s10sakota · Post by **s10sakota** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:36 am

hmm...any thoughts on how??

smittysrv · Post by **smittysrv** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:48 am

When you cleco the skins on, it will straighten out. I wouldn't try any straightening or bending of that part at this point in the construction. You'll find that the skins are the determining factor in pulling everything together throughout the project.

Thermos · Post by **Thermos** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:43 am

Ditto on pressing on...clecoing/riveting to the rear spar will pull the bend out better than you could by hand, and like Smitty said, assembling the rear spar with the skin will pull everything into alignment.

This won't be the first time you'll have this issue. The wing rear spar doublers do the same thing, and they're a non-issue as well.

HTH

Dave

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:57 am

prestwich wrote:That's a pretty serious bow. I'd straighten the part first.

It's bowed from the press that makes the lightening holes, and any attempt to straighten it opens up a greater risk to stretching the metal to the point where holes won't match up. The VS spar takes most of the bow out, and the skin (the main structural component on any RV) will bring it straight and true.

smittysrv · Post by **smittysrv** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:01 am

Things have really changed since I work on mine. You use to have to drill the lightening holes yourself:

http://www.smittysrv.com/more_stuff.asp ... Section=32

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:05 am

Yep, I lightened mine with the dreaded fly cutter too!

smittysrv · Post by **smittysrv** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:19 am

My guess is that Van's may have decided that the fly-cutter was too dangerous for some builders. When that dude digs in and sticks, you feel like your fighting Jackie Chan.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:25 am

I wish I had a picture of how I had mine clamped...IIRC, I had at least five clamps holding that sucker in place just to keep Jackie Chan out of my garage.

prestwich · Post by **prestwich** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:55 am

Eh? What flycutter? I just used a small end mill. But I agree it takes a lot of clamping. I think that step took me 1/2 day.

Post by **Spike** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 10:54 am

Sorry Im late to the party, was in Dallas for a week.

What everyone else said. Once you attach it to the spar it will straighten out without issue.

Spike

s10sakota · Post by **s10sakota** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:47 am

Thanks for the replies everyone. I clecoed the entire VS together and the curve comes right out. So, I pressed on and the VS spar is now completed.

There are some pics here... http://www.aircraftstickers.com/RV7A/13nov11VS.htm

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:17 pm

Mark, you are doing fine work. Keep it up!!!

CJ