Ribs ?????

[pmanton]

When I start in on my wings, what ribs do I want?? Univair or WagAero ? I lean towards Univair for quality BUT, I read of someone having trouble with the fit of Univair ribs. I think the spacing was off and the ribs had to be modified.

Thanks

Paul
N2426E
N1431A
2AZ1

[Paul Agaliotis]

Paul,
I get all of my stuff from Univair. I've never been disappointed with their quality and customer support. I can't say that with the other one.
I believe Nathan had some issues with the ribs, it might be in some old posts.
I've repaired a bunch of ribs and keep a few piles of damaged ribs around for repair parts. I found that there are some subtle differences in the factory ribs. My opinion is the factory made some minor adjustments as the wings were being built. The originals are about .016 thick and the replacements are .020.
Kerksite stamping dies don't hold up for ever, so if you got a rib from a new mold it might be slightly different from a rib at the end of the stamping run.
Paul

[Champ Dreamer]

I bought a half dozen or so ribs from Univair a couple of years ago, when I was rebuilding my wings. They fit perfectly. I've also had good luck with Wag's stuff, but haven't tried their ribs. Hmm, sounds a bit like we're talkin' about BBQ?

Brian Walker
N1197E 7 AC, now DC

[kyleb]

Several of us (including me) have had fit problems with the Univar ribs. They require a wider space between the spars than original or Wag ribs. I'd guess somthing on their die is off by 1/16" or so. A real PITA.

I sent mine back and ordered from Wag.

[MikeB]

I bought all mine (30 ribs) from Wag Aero and they fit fine for whatever it's worth. Be aware all ribs are now .032 rather than .020 and are punched for pop rivets rather than PK screws.

Mike

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Like Paul said; I had problems with the Univair ribs out of spec.

About halfway down the page, and again towards the bottom...
http://www.joea.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.ph ... &start=150

nkh

[Richard Murray]

Paul,

I had a metal wing and bought the ribs from ACAC in Rochester. Fit perfectly as you would expect. Found I still needed a butt rib and bought it from Univair and ended up having to remove a tab and elongate holes in another to get it to fit. ACAC was very competitive on price.

Richard

[sevenacjack]

when I built my wings I got my ribs from safe-air-supply in mn. and the spars from univair in co. all fit good, then safeair sold-out to wagaero, when I did some wing work on a friends champ I had to get some ribs from wagaero and they fit good too. I like the new .O32 a lot better, but you can beef up or modify the old one ok and their just as strong. I have a big box of old used champ wing ribs if anyone is looking for some old ribs to repair/modify also a couple of butt rib braces I did not use cause of wing tanks. FREE jack 325 320 5951

[Paul Agaliotis]

Jack,
Send them my way. I'm always looking for ribs and pieces of ribs as splice parts. Let me know the shipping costs.
Paul Agaliotis
2060 E. San Martin
San Martin,CA 95046

[Paul Agaliotis]

Richard,
The ACA metal spar wings have a different style of rib design. It's where the flange attaches to the spar, wood spar ribs are slightly different.
ACA is a good place to get your parts. I've been satisfied with everything I have purchased from them.
Paul

[Richard Murray]

Paul,

Yes you are correct regarding the metal vs wood spar rib. I found the ACAC people very willing to help me get what I needed to effect the repairs. It did take a bit of back and forth to identify what parts they used in 2005 vs what they produce today.

Richard