Nailing new wing ribs

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 23:33

...I bought some new (heavier gauge) wing ribs and was wondering what to use
as a "pilot" hole (in the aluminum) for the nails.
The nails are much too fragile to hammer through the aluminum. How would you do it?
I don't believe I have a drill bit small enough??
Jim

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 23:57

14 gauge nails = .073" = #49 drill bit
18 gauge nails = .042" = #58 drill bit

Most likely, I'll use a drill bit a few thousandths undersize, so when the nail is forced through, it will curl a little bit of rib material into the spar. That way, if the nail pulls out, there will still be a protrusion of metal into the spar. At least, that's the thought for right now.

14ga = #51
18ga = #60

What kind of nails are you using Jim?

nkh

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 09:17

Nath, ....I'm planning on using AirCraft Spruce, 20 ga., 5/8" lg., brass plated cement coated AC301-20-5.
When I ordered the "20's", they said it was the "most popular size" ordered,
and it's what I read on the original factory drawing #7-439, but looking back at that drawing,
it does say 20 ga., but also shows AC301-18-5, ...what's up with that...???
Jim

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:12

...what size nails did ya'll use???

David Johnson · Post by **David Johnson** » Wed May 14, 2008 16:47

Jim, I rebuilt my first set of wings in 86 or 87. With original 20 guage nails. When I took them apart recently, nails fell out everywhere. I would highly reccomend using something bigger than the original. There is a service letter for Citabrias that says to use 14 guage ring shank nails. Same spar size. Bill P. uses the 14 guage nails. I plan to use 15 guage ring shank nails on Lloyd's L-16. I used 16 or 18 guage smooth nickel plated nails for a while. Seem to be working OK so far. But then, I do tend to fly these little birds pretty hard sometimes....I just don't want anyone to have a flying airplane and wish they had used bigger nails. For the 15 guage nails I pre drilled with 1/16 bit. David J.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Wed May 14, 2008 23:03

Jim,

I plan to do the same as David, 15GA ring shanks (thanks to David) and pre-drill with a 1/16th bit.

nkh

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Thu May 15, 2008 08:39

Think I posted this previously, but I also used ring shank nails. Unsure of the size as they were given to me. They went in fine using a small ball pean hammer and a round punch when I got down to the end. I drilled the ribs about the same size as the nails (until they basically just went through). It would be pretty much impossible to drive the ring shanks through the rib with any degree of accuracy in my opinion.

Mike Berg

jkvincent · Post by **jkvincent** » Thu May 15, 2008 20:46

[quote="David Johnson"] Jim, ....I just don't want anyone to have a flying airplane and wish they had used bigger nails.quote]

thanks for the response guys,
(David) that's exactly where I'm at right now, I'm starting to "second guess" the fact that I used 20's.

My wings are absolutely ready to cover now, and the nails are not Ring-shanked so I know I can get them out cleanly,
....what do ya'll think about pulling them out one at a time and replacing them with 14 or 15's ?

David Johnson · Post by **David Johnson** » Fri May 16, 2008 07:36

Jim, my nails came from here:http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... Ring+Nails

They are 15 guage, not 14, so are slightly smaller. I don't like the look of the 14 guage. Looks like a 16 penny nail to me. So I hunted something slightly smaller. I will have to trim shorter. Probably just over 5/8 or so. The FAA might not like them driven thru and hammered over! These are the smallest ring shank nails I could find anywhere. If you change your nails, you might try a few. If you have the .020 ribs no problem. If your ribs are the .032 might be harder to push them thru the rib. Ideas Nate? David J.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Fri May 16, 2008 13:43

Shouldn't have too much trouble with .032 ribs. I like the idea of having a smaller hole than the nail. That way when you hammer the nail, it will curle the smallest bit of rib metal into the wood and help seat the rib.

Plus with ring shank nails, if you leave the pre-drilled hole small; when/if the nail starts to back out, the first ring will catch on the rib and prevent the nail from backing all the way out.

At least thats the thought.

nkh