Building a Wing Rib

[@hillbilly4christ638]

This was a joy to watch. Much respect for the builder. Now, try to get some of these young kids to do this!

[@JNEAircraft]

Unfortunately, it seems the kids aren't interested until they grow up a bit! Then, when they decide they want to do this kind of thing, the folks who could have taught them have passed on. That's where these kinds of videos will come in helpful to some degree.

[@poorlycookedchile]

Got into aviation at 12, did EAA for a few years at age 15, the smell of the hangar, tools, and sweat and the sound of the airport ATC coming from a radio on a desk while building planes got me into wanting to build planes. I’m 17 now and I wish to continue that passion by building my own plane one day. Thank you for uploading this video and hope I can find someone like him to be an apprentice to. Very Respectfully, Joshua M

[@JNEAircraft]

@@poorlycookedchile I'm sorry, I missed your reply when you posted it! Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm and we hope you never lose that passion! It takes a lot to build your own plane, but if you find a knowledgable mentor to guide you, you will have a priceless asset! Best of luck to you and don't let ANYONE convince you that you "can't" get it done! The personal message which I wrote on the fuel tank of the Spirit of St. Louis by JNE as a tribute to my husband says, " With Determination, Tenacity and Perseverance, Dreams Take Flight". That is true for anyone who holds fast to their dream. We're "rooting" for you! ~ Heather

[@poorlycookedchile]

@@JNEAircraft No worries ma'am, thank you for replying! I plan on going to a trade school to get my A&P Certificate someday soon and gain skills to be able to do this, thank you for the motivation!

[@ВалентинПодольхов]

Hands of master! Sank you fo the video! We need this experience.

[@JNEAircraft]

Thank You!

[@alexmyrom786]

Мне уже 6 десяток! Я до сих пор учусь этому! Уважение таким людям что показывают как строить самолеты!

[@JNEAircraft]

Thank You! It is all a "learning experience" and it is doing it over and over again that helps us perfect the art. Keep at it and best of luck to you as you continue to learn!

[@pcka12]

The process is remarkably similar to building balsawood model planes, except you tend to build a framework over plans covered in greaseproof paper or cling film!

[@Emil7688]

How long is the nails and where can I bye them?

[@JNEAircraft]

The nails are 1/4 - 3/8" long and they are brass coated, glue nails. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find these specific nails anymore. Those that John used in the video were from a stock we purchased more than 20-years ago.

[@stolaircraftsuyanto9728]

very impressed video..thank you for sharing.what kind of wood is it uncle

[@JNEAircraft]

Thank you! The wood for the strips are spruce and the wood for the gussets are mahogany.

[@stolaircraftsuyanto9728]

@@JNEAircraft Thank you uncle, success always. greetings from Indonesia

[@shakey2634]

Where does one find a jig for a 1926 Ryan?

[@JNEAircraft]

It's the exact same rib that was used on the Spirit of St. Louis. That jig was donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum and they used to have volunteers making ribs to sell as a fund raiser for the museum. We purchased ribs from them when we built the Spirit of St. Louis by JNE replica. John had to make a few extra ribs, so he used one of the ribs produced by the volunteers to make the jig he used in this demonstration. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video!

[@shakey2634]

@@JNEAircraft Thanks for the info!

[@VicenteSilvestreMattos]

Mestre na arte da construção! Lindo trabalho.

[@JNEAircraft]

Muchas Gracias!

[@brianskeens647]

Watching this man work is like watching Picasso paint!

[@JNEAircraft]

Thank You for such a kind compliment!

[@1967250s]

Several questions: at 6:40 the front gusset of the rear spar is pointed: why not cut the gussets with more accurate angles on the ends? It would only take a couple seconds. Why no glue for the gusset ends? What type glue is used? What type woods are used for the rib and gussets? Doesn't hammering the gusset in put stress on the rib top and bottom? Why not sand them to hand tight? Noticed one gusset chipped at the bottom: does this not compromise the strength, especially since they are not glued?

[@JNEAircraft]

These ribs are built per the original. Why they shaped the gussets the way they did? Who knows! As with anything, over time we understand that there may be better, more efficient ways of doing things, but if you want to stick with the authenticity of how something was built "back in the day", you do it they way they did! That is why there are so many "rough edges" on the Spirit of St. Louis by JNE ... we were going after the authenticity of the original build. The ribs being built in this video are for the aircraft that came just BEFORE the Spirit ... These ribs will be going on a 1927 Ryan M-2. As for hammering the nails ... again, that is the way it was done. There are likely better ways of doing it today, but those ways are not original. The gussets are there more to keep the rib pieces in place once they are removed from the jig, rather than for strength in the structure, so a chip on a gusset really does not affect the structural integrity of the rib. It only affects the appearance of the rib. We only made this video to give some tips John has learned over the years of building wooden wing ribs, to make it a bit easier for those who are struggling with how to get theirs built ... and to give an idea of what it takes for those who have never built ribs before. Thanks for asking the questions, and Thanks for watching!

[@geoffreydowen5793]

the mAGNETIC ONE IS AN UPHOLSTERER'S tack hammer, my dad had one here in the uk as he made the seats for Rolls Royce good luck

[@JNEAircraft]

Thank you for taking the time to share that bit of additional information on the tack hammer! It may help others be able to locate one for their own use.

[@poorlycookedchile]

Hello, i’m curious about something, how/where did he learn such an amazing skill/craft? EAA taught me some skills but not to this extreme. Very Respectfully, Joshua

[@JNEAircraft]

One can only be "taught" the basics of how a thing is done. Then you have to just keep at it until you develop your OWN technique that works best for you to get the job done. John has been at this for a very long time! Keep at it and you'll develop YOUR technique as well. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and for commenting with such encouragement!

[@laszloungar549]

Amazing!, What kind of nail material he use, that he can catch like that?

[@JNEAircraft]

Those are 1/4 inch, brass coated, steel nails. The steel in them are what make them catch the magnetized tack hammer so easily.

[@laszloungar549]

@@JNEAircraft Thanks a lot for the answer, i guessed he use some galvanized nails,

[@dougkehoe3758]

Cut it with a paper cutter?...the gussetts...?

[@JNEAircraft]

Yes, that is one way of cutting the gusset material quickly and it's easier on the hands than using scissors or shears!

[@JackieB12003]

Are you using bonderized aircraft nails? If so, do you know where I can buy them? I've read that Wicks and Aircraft Spruce don't sell them anymore.

[@heathernorman4805]

Yes he is. Because he was in the wing building business back in the late 1980's - early 1990's we had purchased a huge order of the nails. They didn't all get used up by the time he evolved to full general aviation restoration and these are some of what is left over from back then. If you are building an experimental airplane, the FAA has suggested using staples and then pulling the staples after it dries because the nails don't really do a whole lot. If you building a CERTIFICATED airplane then you do need to nail them since that is the process originally used. Not really sure where you might be able to find the bonderized nails today. Thanks for watching!

[@JackieB12003]

@@heathernorman4805 Thanks! I’m building an Experimental aircraft, so I have plenty of options. I just like the look of the nails and wouldn’t mind the work of pounding them in by the thousands.

[@dropdog395]

What kind of wood is used in the top and bottom strips? I can soak my stuff for a week and it still snaps the moment I go to bend it.

[@JNEAircraft]

These cap strips are spruce. I also like to use Alaska Cedar. Be sure to bend the strips WITH the grain of the wood ... if you bend it against the grain they are likely to snap and if they don't snap there is a good chance you will still have a stress fracture!

[@seamuscashin2606]

at last i have seen a real aircraft woodworker no jigs for every part fit and cut i hope all you amateur builders are watching this.

[@JNEAircraft]

Thank You!

[@maircraft4079]

What glue are you using?

[@JNEAircraft]

I believe he was using Resorcinol on those ribs. Thanks for watching!

[@briana3467]

I'm thinking he's done at least one or two of these before.

[@JNEAircraft]

You think? LOL!

[@buzzz241]

Don’t the wood strips get glued between rib edges?

[@JNEAircraft]

Once you put the glue on the gussets, it pretty much flows between them if there are gaps.

[@buzzz241]

@@JNEAircraft Thanks for reply.

[@hailstorm5383]

Very nice! :)

[@JNEAircraft]

Glad you liked it, Miss Hailstorm! The question is: Did you learn anything you didn't know before? LOL

[@hailstorm5383]

Good question i learned alot of this stuff but i forget to much 🤣

[@paulhelman2376]

Clark Y?

[@JNEAircraft]

Yes!

[@joey-cn6mt]

You could many grind the vonge tack gamer down to just right

[@jirvin4505]

What glue is being used?

[@JNEAircraft]

I believe he was using Resorcinol glue on those ribs.

[@autonomousindividual7780]

I'm pretty sure it's Urea Formaldehyde which has many names. Weldwood plastic resin or Cascamite are common. Fairly certain that's not recorsinol. I investigated glue quite a bit and it's a rabbit hole. I tried to get faith in recorsinol as it's the only "approved" glue. It's great but hard to get right as far as conditions and assembly. I think T-88 and FPL16A are excellent epoxies and much easier to use.

[@dougkehoe3758]

I love Japanese saws...

[@godmeherbaba5607]

❣❣💟💟💘💘

[@dougkehoe3758]

1/8th" gussett mal'l...?

[@dougkehoe3758]

Hands on...! Totally cool

[@timepass-oc2kj]

Rib thickness and long plz

[@JNEAircraft]

The majority of these ribs are 3/8" x 1/2" and they are 7' long.