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Author Topic: Isotopes LEXL build in MO  (Read 2300 times)

Offline Kamcoman77

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Re: Isotopes LEXL build in MO
« Reply #60 on: January 12, 2026, 09:41:47 PM »
I cut the bevel on my table saw before I assembled the front spars, but I did make a couple of wedges that I glued to the bottom of my router to trim the angle on the spar web. That same setup should work just fine to trim the spar cap. An easier way might be just run the spar through your table saw with the blade set to the proper angle.

Offline Isotope

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Re: Isotopes LEXL build in MO
« Reply #61 on: January 12, 2026, 09:48:52 PM »
8* or 10*? My plans say 10. After doing a little research i wonder how well a table saw would work? Man i would hate taking my pretty spar through a saw..  :-\  But i would try it with some help

Offline Kamcoman77

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Re: Isotopes LEXL build in MO
« Reply #62 on: January 12, 2026, 10:15:19 PM »
Plans say 10°. I made a mock nose rib/spar/wing rib to determine my angle since I was using the Iron Designs wing rib size. I cut my spar caps from a 14-foot-long plank, then cut the 8° angle on my upper front caps. I used the fence on my table saw to hold the wood in alignment while I ran it through the saw. I had rollers to support the wood on both ends.

Offline pappyadkins

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Re: Isotopes LEXL build in MO
« Reply #63 on: January 13, 2026, 09:56:55 AM »
Many ways to skin that cat... I just sanded after assembly... no fuss, didn't have to fight the saw... but either way works... keep on plugging along...

Offline Kamcoman77

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Re: Isotopes LEXL build in MO
« Reply #64 on: January 13, 2026, 10:30:56 AM »
Yes, as Pappy says, sanding is an option as well as using a hand plane and shaving the angle to the 8° or 10° mark. I just used my table saw because I had it already set up to cut my spar caps out of my 14-foot-long planks.

Offline Isotope

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Re: Isotopes LEXL build in MO
« Reply #65 on: January 13, 2026, 09:19:16 PM »
Just made my first big mistake..  While epoxying and stapling the web to the second spar i realized that i installed the strut brace in the wrong section. I installed it in the 5th bay instead of the 6th bay from the root like i did on the first spar. Sadly right after i epoxied and stapled the web on top of it. I decided to let it cure and cut, dig grind it out. Whats a good method?  I have an angle grinder with tiger paws. I thought maybe a router set to depth but i would have to buy one. I need one anyway. Whats yalls input. And give me a kick in the a$$ for not paying attention to this detail. Its easy to get confused when u flip the spars around to build a opposite one.

Offline Kamcoman77

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Re: Isotopes LEXL build in MO
« Reply #66 on: January 13, 2026, 10:36:17 PM »
I not only put some of my strut blocks in the wrong bay, but backwards! I used a Forstner bit to drill a lot of holes in the bad blocks and a chisel to chop out the rest of the block.

Offline pappyadkins

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Re: Isotopes LEXL build in MO
« Reply #67 on: January 14, 2026, 09:24:42 AM »
yep easy to do... good news, you're not the only one to do it and it'll all be covered up in the end... Glad you caught it now & not after final assembly... I like your router idea, just take it gentle & don't get into the plywood... I had to chisel & finally sand the plywood doublers on the ends, so I feel your pain...

 

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