Isotopes LEXL build in MO

[Kamcoman77]

Nice looking worktable. Looks very solid and strong. I built mine out of the same I-beam stuff. As to your battery selection for the Briggs. Being an RC'r from as far back as single channel escapement controls, I would not recommend a Li-po battery. You & I both know how prone to fires they can be. Go with LiFePO4. I made a battery pack from 32700 cells that is really working well on my engine test stand. I even charge it with an old FMA Cellpro charger through balance wires. Super stable voltage and plenty of power. If you don't have much amperage draw in your electrical system, a 4-cell setup should be ideal.

[Isotope]

I agree with you. I have been flying lipos in rc's for 20 years and have never had a fire but if its going to happen its going to happen while "im" airborne with one.. Im comfortable with the lipo on the test stand but for flight i have this one saved in my wish list, check out the link. LifeP04 weights 1 pound and has a voltage display, 250 CCA, 2.5 AH.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPHZWQ1J/?coliid=I1MAG0BZYH60JT&colid=3H7BN9GIFME1H&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it_im&th=1

[Kamcoman77]

Looks like a good choice if you only need 2.5 Ah capacity. I'm running an electronic ignition and several low-current instruments on my 1/2 VW, so I needed a little higher capacity.

[Isotope]

First confusion on the spares. In the plans he says to lay out the cap strips and place all uprights in where the ribs go. The is the 3/4x1/4" correct? But on the drawing it points at one and says 3/4x1/2 all butt joints on spar web..? See attached pic. I dont understand that. Next question. Last sentence in that same paragraph "Use blocks and wedges as glue dries. Now you can install the solid wood pieces". What is the "solid wood pieces"?
 And one more. He mentions useing a 1x2" board for straight edge but then says it should be thinner than spar cap.. arnt the spar caps 3/4 thick?

[Kamcoman77]

He means 3/4x1/4 at all rib locations unless there is a web butt joint at one, or more, of them. If you have a web butt joint at a rib location, he is saying use a 1/2x3/4 at that location to strengthen the butt joint. I used scarf joints on all my plywood webs and did not worry about their locations. The solid wood pieces are the strut mounting blocks and the blocks at the root end for the wing fittings. Use whatever you want for a straightedge. I used 2"x12"x5/8" thick blocks on my build table.

[Isotope]

Did you taper your spar cap strips down to 1/4" at the wing tips? Also what is the dimensions of the end upright root and tip? I have circled in the attachment?

[Kamcoman77]

I'm getting old and could not see the attachment. Can you make it more visible while I go get my glasses? On the outer taper, I went down to 1/2" instead of 1/4" near the ends.

[Isotope]

No your not. Im getting old and did not upload the attachment.

[Kamcoman77]

I made my wing ribs first, not my spars. The height of the front spar really depends on your wing rib dimension at the front vertical. I am using the Iron Designs rib drawing and the standard plans nose ribs. I made the 1/4x3/4 vertical spar spacers so my front spar was 1/16" less tall as my wing rib front vertical. This was to allow for the 1/32" nose plywood that wrapped around the upper & lower spar caps. I wanted the ply to match the height of my wing rib. My spars are the same height at the root & tip although the 1/4x3/4 verticals were a little longer (cut to fit) near the tip because of the inside spar cap taper. My rear spar is 5-1/4" tall, same as plans dimension.

[Isotope]

No i used Les's supplemental plans and gusset kit. I have precut gussets for compression ribs etc. 
 I dont know if u understood my question about the dimensions of the two end upright i have circled in the attachment. Here it is again.  I do not see any call out for these wider pieces in the plans. Sorry for the confusion. You are great help!

[Kamcoman77]

I hope I understand your question. The wide piece you have circled is just a spacer I stuck in the spar temporarily. It is not glued in. A 1/4"x3/4" piece goes on either side of the spacer. All four spars have two, 1/4"x3/4" spruce uprights cut to fit between the spar caps at the tip end, per plans. There is no dimension for the length of these pieces shown on any plans because their length depends on how, or if, you taper the spar caps.

[Isotope]

That answers the tip end. Now how about the root? See attached. Is it just solid 3/4 filler all the way to the root or is there more uprights at the root like the tip? Watching Leonard's wing build video it looks like he has a upright in the root next to the solid And its not a full solid piece like in the plans it is a brace like the strut brace? Maybe im just over complicating it and this is what they mean by "up for interpretation" "See the area i have highlighted in red". And what does he mean by "main rib spacing 1 1/2" all"?
Boy i thought i studied these plans enough but more jumps out at me when i start putting wood together.

[Kamcoman77]

Solid 3/4" thick filler blocks. There are no 1/4" pieces in the root end. I believe Leonard means there is 1-1/2" spacing between the two ribs at the root end of the wings. That should be 1" between the two root ribs giving a 1-1/2" outside dimension. In the last photo I did not use the metal bracket for diagonal #1. I went with triangular wood & ply bracing to make room for my fuel tank.

[Isotope]

**EDITED** See Leonards video still above in my post. Im confused.

[Kamcoman77]

You should be confused! The wing video does not apply to the XL. It is of a Legal Eagle Ultralight wing being built. There is no wing video I have ever seen by Leonard about the XL. I think that video has confused more XL builders than any other. There are many, many differences between the LEU & XL wings. If you want to see some XL videos, look up ADCO Aviation on YouTube. David does a very nice job of showing phases of XL construction. He also states very clearly where he deviated from the plans. ADCO has a build log just below yours. He has a link to the video playlist in that log. Hope this helps!