Spar Preperation
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A forum for Panther aircraft builders and Enthusiasts. Two simple rules: Play nice and use a real name
A forum for Panther aircraft builders and Enthusiasts. Two simple rules: Play nice and use a real name
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xtricity
- Posts: 4207
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- First Name: Mess
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- City or Town: TBS
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xtricity
- Posts: 4207
- Joined: Sat May 03, 2025 12:43 am
- First Name: Mess
- Last Name: None
- City or Town: TBS
- State or Province: None
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xtricity
- Posts: 4207
- Joined: Sat May 03, 2025 12:43 am
- First Name: Mess
- Last Name: None
- City or Town: TBS
- State or Province: None
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xtricity
- Posts: 4207
- Joined: Sat May 03, 2025 12:43 am
- First Name: Mess
- Last Name: None
- City or Town: TBS
- State or Province: None
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xtricity
- Posts: 4207
- Joined: Sat May 03, 2025 12:43 am
- First Name: Mess
- Last Name: None
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av8shar
- Posts: 25
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- First Name: Andrew
- Last Name: Shorter
- City or Town: New Bern
- State or Province: NC
- Location: New Bern, NC
Re: Spar Preperation
Mine were actually only 12' long. They are two EAA spec work benches end-to-end longitudinally, so 2'x12' total.
Twelve feet was just enough without an extra support if you work it right. Basically one squeezer position at the extreme end of the bench and one in the middle, then shifting between the two as you move the spar through the process. I didn't get if perfected until the second one. On the first I used a step on a ladder for off bench support.
Tony is right that only two feet wide works out very well doing the spars and especially when I used the SPA squeezer. You can place the squeezer bracket in the middle of the bench (one foot on each side) and flip the spar over to do the top and bottom rivets in small sections as you work your way down the spar. The narrow bench also allows you to switch sides back and forth to monitor the shop head side (or whichever side you choose) as you flip the spar back and forth. That's why having the SPA squeezer cylinder on a hose so you can move it around is so nice.
Andy
Twelve feet was just enough without an extra support if you work it right. Basically one squeezer position at the extreme end of the bench and one in the middle, then shifting between the two as you move the spar through the process. I didn't get if perfected until the second one. On the first I used a step on a ladder for off bench support.
Tony is right that only two feet wide works out very well doing the spars and especially when I used the SPA squeezer. You can place the squeezer bracket in the middle of the bench (one foot on each side) and flip the spar over to do the top and bottom rivets in small sections as you work your way down the spar. The narrow bench also allows you to switch sides back and forth to monitor the shop head side (or whichever side you choose) as you flip the spar back and forth. That's why having the SPA squeezer cylinder on a hose so you can move it around is so nice.
Andy
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Tony Spicer
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- First Name: Tony
- Last Name: Spicer
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- Location: Wilmington, NC 7NC1
Re: Spar Preperation
Yep, it sure is. Mine was 4' x 14'. Too wide:
https://picasaweb.google.com/tonyboytoo ... 2772492802
Andy Shorter was smarter. Looks like his is 2' x 16'.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1078143629 ... 5182827506
Problem with a 4' table is you're forced to work from just one side.
Tony
https://picasaweb.google.com/tonyboytoo ... 2772492802
Andy Shorter was smarter. Looks like his is 2' x 16'.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1078143629 ... 5182827506
Problem with a 4' table is you're forced to work from just one side.
Tony
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at7000ft
- Posts: 175
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- First Name: RICK
- Last Name: HOLLAND
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- Location: Castle Rock, CO
Re: Spar Preperation
Talking about spars, concerning the wing spars, is a 16' x 4' work table long enough to build these?
Rick H
Rick H
Rick Holland
N6819Z
N6819Z
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Tony Spicer
- Posts: 304
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- First Name: Tony
- Last Name: Spicer
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- Location: Wilmington, NC 7NC1
Re: Spar Preperation
Glen,
Here's a shot of the tools that will come in handy. It was hidden away in the wing spar Picasa album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/tonyboytoo ... 0261556098
The non-woven disks at HF work just fine. The cheap die grinders do not, as they just don't have enough torque to do the job. Best to borrow a good one, or spend the money and add one to your collection.
Tony
Here's a shot of the tools that will come in handy. It was hidden away in the wing spar Picasa album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/tonyboytoo ... 0261556098
The non-woven disks at HF work just fine. The cheap die grinders do not, as they just don't have enough torque to do the job. Best to borrow a good one, or spend the money and add one to your collection.
Tony
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GlenNJ
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sun May 19, 2013 8:11 am
- First Name: Glen
- Last Name: Robinson
- City or Town: Marmora
- State or Province: NJ
- Location: Marmora, New Jersey
Re: Spar Preperation
Thanks Paul and Sean. Looks like I'll be heading to Harbor Freight to get some tools. Thanks for the picture Sean. That's a nice finish on your spar. I'll try to duplicate it.
Glen
Glen