Re: Workspace Requirements
Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 6:28 pm
My bench is 4 x 12, mainly because that's what was convient to lay out a 4 x 12 sheet of aluminum when I scratch-built a Sonex. When I built it the shop was a 20 x 24 garage. My wife turned the whole thing over to me in exchange for a new car when the Sonex moved to the airport after two years in the garage. That arrangement was a win-win!
4 x 12 has certainly been large enough for the Panther. I'm no neat freak, and usually end up scraping a spot just large enough for whatever the current project requires. Figured a cleanup was past due when I struggled to make room for a 1 x 4 elevator.
The current wing skin arrangement has skins that wrap from trailing edge to trailing edge, which dictates the wing be built in a vertical fixture. I've tried to convince Dan to consider a more conventional skin layout, which would make it possible to build the wing flat on the table. We'll see how that plays out.
The best bet may be to just start out with something big enough for the tail kit. 4 x 6 would be fine for that. Add size as needed. And don't forget that at Lowes, the first couple of cuts on the panel saw are free.
Tony
4 x 12 has certainly been large enough for the Panther. I'm no neat freak, and usually end up scraping a spot just large enough for whatever the current project requires. Figured a cleanup was past due when I struggled to make room for a 1 x 4 elevator.
The current wing skin arrangement has skins that wrap from trailing edge to trailing edge, which dictates the wing be built in a vertical fixture. I've tried to convince Dan to consider a more conventional skin layout, which would make it possible to build the wing flat on the table. We'll see how that plays out.
The best bet may be to just start out with something big enough for the tail kit. 4 x 6 would be fine for that. Add size as needed. And don't forget that at Lowes, the first couple of cuts on the panel saw are free.
Tony