OK! What did I do wrong? (I probably know the answer but thought I'd share my frustration).
I pretty much had the inter rib bracing tight, although after turning it over several times during the covering process they may have loosened some. I have a couple of ribs that shifted during the tightening process....one being the second inboard that hold the fuel tank which was straight when I started and the other being the out board aileron bay rib which pulled futher outward dispite the fact that I installed the recommended brace from the spar to the tip and fabricated a plywood reinforcement for the rib. This caused the rib to bow somewhat.
I thought I had things pretty well 'stiffened up' but apparently not. I realize it's all cosmetic but I'd like to correct the situation on my next wing if possible. All the other ribs are straight as far as I can tell. I've seen a fabricated brace from the bow to the center of the outer aileron bay rib but didn't think it was necessary..............
MikeB
Last edited by MikeB on Tue Jun 29, 2010 21:10, edited 1 time in total.
During my (first) wing recovery, I anchored the rib bracing to the wing bow on the outboard end. I found that as I shrank the fabric, it drew the wing bow in a little bit which loostened the anchor point and thus loostened all the rib bracing allowing some of the ribs to move. I started straightening each rib by drawing a straight line where the rib should be located. I took a Craftsman screwdriver that has a smooth round knob on the end of the plastic handle and, by gradually working each rib over through the fabric, was able to move them into position. As I got each rib in position, I inserted a PK screw and washer to hold it in place. Some ribs required several screws to keep them straight. Afterwards as I started placing the reinforcement tap over each rib, I would have to advance one screw at a time so that no more than one screw at a time was removed and replaced. I thought I learned my lesson on the first rib and installed 5 rows of rib bracing on the second wing. This really didn't help much more than the three rows I had on the first wing.
John Propst
313 Hickory Grove Ln
Elizabeth, WV 26143
cell 304 588 3690 j.e.propst@ieee.org
N3129E 2WV3
The fabric is pretty darn tight but I'm wondering if I wet the fabric a bit on the affected ribs that I might be able to shift the ribs to a straighter position by working them with my fingers.
Guess I need to walk away from it for a day or so............ . This being my first wing, I'm still in the 'learning' stage.
Know the feeling Mike. We ended up using several pieces of welding rod taped together with a small hook bent on the end. Then fish it through any opening in the wing to move th ribs around.
But John's idea of using a plastic screw-driver handle is pretty slick. I doubt you'd need to use any kind of water; polyester is slick enough.
The answer: it must of helped to go flying this morning . After thinking about John's post, I tried moving the ribs around and cleoing them in place (I have the new .032 ribs with 1/8 holes for pop rivets). It worked....at least on the bottom part......thanks, John!! Using pop rivets in place of PK screws goes pretty fast, although there are a couple of steps that need to be taken. I'll post some pictures on the "restoration thread" later. You'll note I wasn't able get rid of the "Aeronca bend" at the outboard aileron bay but guess I'll just have to live with it on this wing and see if I can improve on the next one. The fabric is some wicked stuff once you start to tighten things up. Lots of creaking and groaning...... .
. After thinking about John's post, I tried moving the ribs around and cleoing them in place (I have the new .032 ribs with 1/8 holes for pop rivets). It worked....at least on the bottom part......thanks, John!! Using pop rivets in place of PK screws goes pretty fast, although there are a couple of steps that need to be taken. I'll post some pictures on the "restoration thread" later. You'll note I wasn't able get rid of the "Aeronca bend" at the outboard aileron bay but guess I'll just have to live with it on this wing and see if I can improve on the next one. The fabric is some wicked stuff once you start to tighten things up. Lots of creaking and groaning...... 
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