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41

Builders logs / Re: Sfcmarkc's Legal Eagle XL

« Last post by DA Miller on May 28, 2026, 04:35:45 PM »

I just looked at the home page. Do not use the search function in the top right hand corner. The other search function gives better results.

42

Builders logs / Re: Sfcmarkc's Legal Eagle XL

« Last post by DA Miller on May 28, 2026, 04:28:52 PM »

Be careful with that official full size rib drawing. Several of us, myself included, built ribs to this drawing and then later when building the front spar we found hat it didn't match the ribs. Some good advise: study the plans, see how the different parts interact with other parts of the plans. Use the search function at the to p of the home page e.g. search "ribs" you'll find much useful info on building your ribs. The good news is" many Legal Eagles have been built with these plans". When in doubt search or ask. Good Luck.

43

Brock's bits - LEXLV3 / Re: Wings (3d nose ribs)

« Last post by Brock on May 27, 2026, 07:06:21 PM »

After printing and glue testing the (Light Weight) LW-PLA I was encouraged that 3D printed nose ribs might work.  But PLA can't stand the heat (I knew that).  So I ordered some LW-ASA, which is made for UV and more heat.  I printed a test cube and glued (T88) it to some plywood.  The next day I was very disappointed when I was able to easily pop it off.  See left side of the pic below.  Not wanting to give up so easily I tried again.  This second atempt (with the same cube) I lightly sanded then wiped with alcohol.  Seems that did the trick.  I broke the cube pulling on it and couldn't remove the stuck end by prying on it with my pocket knife.  Looking forward to printing a dozen or so of these.  They take over 2 hours to print but only about 4 minutes to start and walk away.  Is this what it means to "work smart not hard"?

44

Builders logs / Re: Sfcmarkc's Legal Eagle XL

« Last post by Kamcoman77 on May 25, 2026, 03:48:58 PM »

The Iron Designs rib isn't necessarily better; it just uses a different method for the aileron to wing gap. I'll find some photos for you.

45

Builders logs / Re: Sfcmarkc's Legal Eagle XL

« Last post by Sfcmarkc on May 25, 2026, 03:36:57 PM »

Thanks, I have already ordered the full size rib pattern from the official site.  Are the Iron designs drawings better?  My startup is going to be slow to start since I'm currently tool poor and will be having to get the workshop equipped as well.  I have some experience with T-88 and ribs.  I've already watched some ADCO videos though I hadn't determined an order of work yet. 
   I appreciate the warm welcome.

46

Builders logs / Re: Sfcmarkc's Legal Eagle XL

« Last post by Kamcoman77 on May 25, 2026, 03:21:15 PM »

Welcome to the Forum and building an XL. There is a lot of info using the Search feature. I built my XL ribs first because it was like building a model airplane, one stick at a time. Just be cautious about building all the ribs the same. They are not! You will save a lot of time and frustration if you pay close attention to which ribs get doublers for aileron hinge blocks and smaller gussets for the ribs with compression struts. Attached is a drawing of my XL wing. The notes were there to warn me which ribs needed special attention. I cut my gussets by stacking 28 pieces of 0.8mm ply together with alignment toothpicks, glued a pattern on top, and went to sawing. All 700+ gussets only took me about 30 minutes to cut. I used the Iron Designs wing drawing for my ribs so some of the gussets are a little different than the original plans. Be sure your rib drawing is the correct size. There should be 27-1/2" between the spar faces if your rib profile is correct. I used T-88 epoxy, but a lot of builders used TiteBond III for rib building. Be sure to watch all of ADCO Aviation's YouTube videos. He made a very nice folding wing system. Also read his build log just below yours (Pappy's)

47

Builders logs / Sfcmarkc's Legal Eagle XL

« Last post by Sfcmarkc on May 25, 2026, 01:46:16 PM »

Howdy folks,

   Just purchased the plans and am now setting up a plan of attack.  The current plan is to a build powered with a 1/2 VW engine and folding wings since hanger space is hard to come by around here.  Initiall I'll be working on the wings since it looks like I need to learn to weld to get this accomplished and figure I can build ribs while on the learning curve to acquire the skills I need. Looks like this is going to be an interesting trip......
   

48

Briggs and Stratton V-twin / Re: Dealing with Ace Aviation

« Last post by alanAK on May 25, 2026, 10:25:13 AM »

Good to hear that ACE is going to have a outlet in America.  They needed to make some changes and this looks to be a good one.

49

Briggs and Stratton V-twin / Re: Dealing with Ace Aviation

« Last post by rv7charlie on May 23, 2026, 12:43:42 PM »

Thought I'd update this thread a bit. Ace now has a USA distributor; AceRedrives.com. Here is the announcement posted on the Homebuiltairplanes forum. This is the same company that's now marketing a couple of other ultralite designs, and 'word on the web' is that he's a standup guy. I just today ordered a drive for the Briggs V-twin, and within minutes he had emailed me with an *estimated* time to get his 1st shipment in stock. Price was the same as has been shown for the overseas orders, and it's coming with free shipping. 

It will likely be at least a month before I can expect delivery so I can't offer anything more than tentative info right now, but I'll continue to update if/as things progress. 

Charlie
LE XL in progress

50

Brock's bits - LEXLV3 / Re: Wings (take two)

« Last post by Brock on May 21, 2026, 05:12:16 PM »

With the nose ribs all cut (except for some I hope to print) there was no longer any reason to delay working on the second wing.  So work I did.  Got it all assembled for trial rib fit and the gussets are all marked up where they need to be cut for things like compression ribs.  Sure is easy the second time around with most of the sub assemblies already finished. 

I better get on the phone and order that Oratex.