Tony Harrison 2 Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 I enjoy building, but find wing ribs both challenging and tedious. Willing to spend a few quid to get them done by someone else. Not sure how it works! Can someone recommend a good reliable UK service for doing this? This winter I hope to finish a Cessna Bird Dog, wingspan around 60", ribs not too complex. rgds Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Peacock Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 I bought some here http://www.igull.co.uk/page0/ recently. Should be worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 Hi Tony, If you are doing a straight wing then I would suggest making a template from stiff card or thin ply and use that to cut your ribs out. Otherwise I know there are places that can laser cut parts for you but as they are a one off they tend to be a bit pricey. Failing that, pick a plan from someone like Sarik who can do short kits with the plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 SLEC do a laser cutting service. I've not used their bespoke laser cutting (although I have built from their kits) but everything I have had from them over the decades has been excellent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Harrison 2 Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 1 hour ago, Geoff Peacock said: I bought some here http://www.igull.co.uk/page0/ recently. Should be worth a look. Thanks Geoff, but this chap doesn't do bespoke, and I'm building from a plan which I've already scaled down to 80% so it's a one off. rgds Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Harrison 2 Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 52 minutes ago, Andy Gates said: Hi Tony, If you are doing a straight wing then I would suggest making a template from stiff card or thin ply and use that to cut your ribs out. Otherwise I know there are places that can laser cut parts for you but as they are a one off they tend to be a bit pricey. Failing that, pick a plan from someone like Sarik who can do short kits with the plan. Thanks Andy. The Bird Dog isn't a wholly straight wing, and I really don't want the labour of making 3-4 different sizes of rib. I've already started building from a plan, scaled down, and I don't want to abandon it - though there is a nice Bird Dog from Sarik. Happy to pay a few quid for accurate bespoke ribs. rgds Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Harrison 2 Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 50 minutes ago, John Lee said: SLEC do a laser cutting service. I've not used their bespoke laser cutting (although I have built from their kits) but everything I have had from them over the decades has been excellent. Thanks John, I'll consult SLEC. rgds Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 13 hours ago, Tony Harrison 2 said: Thanks Andy. The Bird Dog isn't a wholly straight wing, and I really don't want the labour of making 3-4 different sizes of rib. I've already started building from a plan, scaled down, and I don't want to abandon it - though there is a nice Bird Dog from Sarik. Happy to pay a few quid for accurate bespoke ribs. rgds Tony It is great that there are companies like iGul, SLEC and Sarik who will provide this kind of laser cutting service. Perhaps I am unusual (odd?) but I actually enjoy cutting out ribs, finding it quite therapeutic! On the other hand I am not so keen on covering or putting a finish on a model. Horses for courses I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 Wing ribs are ok, not my favourite woodwork job. It is however made much easier with some rib plotting software and a reasonable printer to make templates. For a one off it is probably quicker than getting the required files sent back and forward to a cutter. I wouldn't hesitate to use a pre rolled set for a magazine plan though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Walby Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 15 hours ago, Tony Harrison 2 said: Thanks John, I'll consult SLEC. rgds Tony Hi, I have used Chris at SLEC a number of times from complex rescales/multiple part wings to simple stuff, just depends on the cost, ease of construction and where you get your wood from. Very satisfied with the work and assistance everyone at SLEC has given over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Harrison 2 Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share Posted September 12, 2022 7 hours ago, Chris Walby said: Hi, I have used Chris at SLEC a number of times from complex rescales/multiple part wings to simple stuff, just depends on the cost, ease of construction and where you get your wood from. Very satisfied with the work and assistance everyone at SLEC has given over the years. That's useful to know, Chris - willcontact SLEC when I'm back in the UK and ready to re-start my plane build. rgds Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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