Wing Rib Deburring and Edge Finishing

[aparchment]

I am in the middle of this task, so I thought I would share a method that seems to be working well for me.

My objective was to devise an assembly line approach to this mundane task that would keep me moving quickly and efficiently. That method is as follows:

1) Use a fine file to knock down the major roughness of the edges. Don't worry about the lightening holes or notches yet.

2) Use the speed deburring tool to debur both sides of the lightening holes and any large holes in the rib.

3) Make one or two passes over the edges with a 3M EXL wheel in your die grinder. The 90 degree grinder makes this very easy to do.

4) Use the grinder with the 3M EXL wheel to debur the lightening holes.

5) Use a dremel tool with a dremel nylon reinforced sanding wheel to do the notches front and back

6) finish the edges and notches with a maroon scotchbrite pad

7) Use the "finger touch test" to look for any sharp edges or spots you missed.

repeat a bazillion times.

Hope someone else finds this helpful.

Antony

[prestwich]

Sounds like you've got it down, Antony. Do you mind if I send my ribs over to you when I get to that part?

[captain_john]

A Brazilian Times?

Is that a foreign newspaper or when you get a full body waxing?

CJ

[aparchment]

I would love to help you out P-wich, but I suspect that by the time I am done I will not want to see any more ribs until I build the next plane

Nah CJ, no full body waxing here -- just my b*lls. J/K people. Keep moving. Nothing to see here. (Man that would hurt!)

[cjensen]

We need an emoticon for "OUCH!!"

[JohnR]

I would agree with that! Something like

[captain_john]

Ya know, I was thinking about this thread. Partially about it's humor but, also about it's usefulness!

I went back and double checked my fluting after I "thought" I was done. It seems that I benefitted from this, as some were in need of addtional fluting.

This is the step where you get all the fluting experience you need to do the bulkheads!

Also, FWIW... I see that the QB's are fluted every OTHER notch instead of each one. I did each one because I think it makes a more gradual truing process.

CJ

[cjensen]

I would agree with that! Something like

That would be even better with a low monotone voice saying "OUCH"

[aparchment]

Thought you folks would enjoy a copy of my entry from my build log a few days ago. This is also further proof that aluminum dust is bad for your brain.

"5/31/06 - Wings - Ribs - 1.5
Momma, wuts fer dinner?
Ribs honey.
Agin, shee-it.
Now don't you swear. There's plenty o' planeless people who wud luv to be doin' wut you is doin'."

Yup. Bad for your brain, that's for sure.

Antony

[JohnR]

And if you are priming you get to handle them all a bunch more times!

[aparchment]

Yeah, but dare I say it, I like priming. I am not so thrilled about preparing for priming, but everything has a downside.

Antony

[JohnR]

Antony, I'm even a little sicker than you, I actually kind of like deburring and fluting. I'd rather do that then prepare for priming. I would agree that priming itself isn't bad, actually kind of fun.

[4kilo]

Yeah, but dare I say it, I like priming.

Antony

Antony

Please let me know the address to which I should send all my ready to prime parts. I would certainly not want to deprive you of the opportunity to enjoy this task (which I hate).

Pat

[aparchment]

Pat!

Boy do I have a deal for you!

I will send you my pre-pre-primed parts, and you will do the necessary alumiprepping and alodining for me, then you can send your ready to prime parts and my ready to prime parts back to me and I will Akzo epoxy primer everything and send yours back.

So whaddya say?

Too bad we don't live next door to each other. We would be the airplane version of Jack Sprat and his wife.

Antony