Leading Edges..What's the thought?

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 20:19

I have a few minor problems to solve on the wing, but getting around to looking at the leading edges for my L16 and wondering if I should try to fabricate my own or buy or?? Apparently the ones I have are original .016 and pretty beat up. My understanding is that the new ones are made of heavier metal. Obviously, they have to be rolled properly.

What do you other 'wing builders' do??

Thanks for any advice!!
Mike

james gevay · Post by **james gevay** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 21:20

Mike, I made my own out of .016 as opposed to going to .020 because of the weight issue. I calculated it out from the figures given in the Aircraft Spruce catalog, and if my math is correct there's a weight gain of 1.26lb per panel or 2.52lbs per plane. Yes I know that .016 more vulnerable to damage but I guess I'll take that risk. I've made the "breaks" on the top and bottom ends but haven't done the LE radius bend yet. I'm sure there's some easy way to make that bend but I haven't tried it yet. Mine were bent to about a 2 1/2" radius and the bend was to about 135 degrees. When I install them I'll have to somehow back drill through the ribs into the LE. I'll probably need some kind of angle drill for that I guess. Jim

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 08:05

Mike,
I made a simple press break with some straight 2x4's. It's just a U channel receiver for the skin. The ram is about 1 3/8" I think, it's at home. All you are trying to do is make the radius of the nose.
Cut a section, about 17 1/2", break an edge on each end about 1/4", find the center of bend and use a pipe to push the sheet into the channel. You may need to relieve the mouth of the channel to ease the starting and some dish washing liquid will help to lube the sheet for removal. It's easy to bend the formed section during removal so be careful.
Paul

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:51

Thanks for the tips

.

Mike