New Butt Rib

[TimHicks]

I've been in the market to find a new built-up rib to replace the only stamped rib in my wings.
I found a fellow named Carl Larsen in Waterloo, New York who says that he will make a new built-up butt rib for my left wing. $125
Does anyone have any experience with, or knowledge of Carl?

He said $75 for a new tip rib (which I'm also thinking of replacing to solve my corrosion problem there).

[Buell Powell]

Re: New Butt Rib

Tim,
I've bought parts from Carl for many years and never been disappointed with anything.

[astjp2]

Re: New Butt Rib

YES! Carl is Awsome, but the stamped rib is stronger in the butt rib. I have recommended that D&E ribs be used in the butt (for a homebuilt {~ ) Carl does some nice ribs. Tim

[Larry Lyons]

Re: New Butt Rib

I just traded two not very good built up ribs for two stamped ribs. The built up will give you fits trying to keep things straight as you build and shrink. To each his own, as Hank will think it blasphemy :-) L

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: New Butt Rib

Depends on if you want to fly, or restore. I try to restore as close as I can, but when safety is concerned, we need to change things. After all, I have sealed struts on my plane. ;-)
If you are going to put your plane in the Smithsonian, having mixed ribs IS blasphemy, but if your stick rib is unserviceable, and your mechanic does the paperwork, there is nothing wrong with making a plane safer.
I just get ridiculous putting much too much work into going original sometimes. I just enjoy that part.
Hank

[TimHicks]

Re: New Butt Rib

Thanks for the feedback on Mr Larsen.
What happens that makes the built-up butt rib undesireable?
I'm a flier not a restorer.

[astjp2]

Re: New Butt Rib

The material the rib is made from flexes then breaks when you get the fabric tight. 2 stamped ribs that are a mirror image of each other and sandwiched makes a nice box structure that is stiffer and can handle the shrinking better. Its a bitch to hear a rib go SNAP! especially after all of that work. Tim

[Buell Powell]

Re: New Butt Rib

Tim,
If you do decide to replace with original built up ribs be sure to install the u-channel braces.

[TimHicks]

Re: New Butt Rib

Ahh, I see.
That must be why my existing built-up butt rib (in my right wing) has sheet aluminum stiffeners riveted in.
The stamped butt rib in my left wing is not a doubled-up box section. But it does have pieces of broom handle bracing against the fuel tank for stiffness! No lie! Check out the pics attached.
If I add the sheet aluminum stiffener to my new built-up butt rib (to replace the stamped rib and broom handle pieces in the left wing), do y'all think that is a good idea?

[TimHicks]

Re: New Butt Rib

I've got new u-channel already painted and ready to go in when I install the new rib. I was planning to replicate what came out. See pic below. Does that look right?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: New Butt Rib

I would NOT go back with the broom handle! Think about a ground loop or other wing impact where the wing (and WING TANK) are pushed into the fuselage. The fuselage is going to push back on the dowels through the rib and punch holes in the tank. Not my idea of a good time to have just gone through a ground loop and have 6 gallons of gas come raining down on the cockpit!
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: New Butt Rib

I would rather have the gas from the wing leaking than the header tank!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: New Butt Rib

I don't want either one! Maybe that is why I like sailplanes so much.
HAnk

[Buell Powell]

Re: New Butt Rib

Tim,
Here is a picture of how an original pre-war wing was done that may help--From the picture of your built up rib you need to add more support for the section between the spars to keep it from warping when shrinking the fabric-but not the broom handles--ugh. Something you might check is to make sure the screws that go into the spars for the supports still tighten---if not a mixture of fiberglass resin and saw dust to fill the holes and screw into that works well.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: New Butt Rib

YES! Carl is Awsome, but the stamped rib is stronger in the butt rib. I have recommended that D&E ribs be used in the butt (for a homebuilt {~ ) Carl does some nice ribs. Tim

Ok I will bite ...who is D& E ? Do they make new stamped Ribs ? And yes it would indeed be for a clip wing homebuilt....
Thanks in advance JIM