The Photos on this page are actually my rendition of someone else's idea regarding the
installation of the ply sheeting over the nose ribs. On wing panel 1#, I installed the ply according to the instructions.
I said to myself, #$%&* there has to be a better way. Here it is. Using a "2x6"
I cut one piece 48 inches long, 5 more pieces @ 9 inches long, cut in the shape of a rib, "just a little
smaller", cut holes in each rib and screwed them to the 48" piece at 0", 12", 24 ",
36" and 48" marks making sure they were perfectly square. I then sanded the
edges smooth and using a small metal strap installed @ 40 feet of nylon rope on the back side in the center.
I pinched the rope so there would be @ 20 ft. to the left and @ 20 ft. to the right.
My grand kids swimming pool made the perfect water bath in which to soak my
plywood sheets. My sheets were soaked for only 24 hours, not days and days.
I used iron weights from my weight set to hold down the ply. If you
use this method be sure you wrap the weights in plastic because they will rust and stain your plywood.
Sometime before you start soaking your ply you will want to measure how wide you
want your ply and using the side of the form draw a line in witch to align your ply. After the ply has soaked
for 24 hours, simply place it on your form, get it aligned and square, then tie it down. When you tie the
ply down, start in the middle and work your way to the ends. periodically check your ply for proper squareness
and alignment.
Being the impatient kind of guy that I am, the holes that I cut in the
form ribs were so I could place a heat gun in one end and blow dry the water out of my plywood. I used one of
the wooden plugs from the previously drilled holes to plug the dryer end. I also had a household fan blowing on
the outside and "Holly Cow Man!!", the ply dried in about 2 hours.
Here we go!!. Finished nose ply just waiting to be glued in place.
I placed a single rubber band around each piece just in case the humidity soaked back into the wood, causing them to open
up.
