Hi Pete,
Thanks for the post and great photos. This is a great method to build perfectly straight, strong, lightweight, take-apart wings.
I have built three 33% Laser A/C using this method. Your friends take-apart system looks good, but there is a much more KIS system. Just purchase a wing tube and sleeve from TNT at:
http://www.tntlandinggear.com/store/shop/welcome_to_the_online_catalog.htmThen make a circle cut out in your rib template to match the OD of your sleve. Use the hotwire to cut out the foam ribs to receive the sleeve. This wing tube/sleeve is your spar and will carry almost all the wing loads during flight. It is only about 50% of the WS in length. The top and bottom wood spars only need to be very thin to help with the loads. This system is light, and very easy to build.
This system can also be used in the tail if you want a complete take-apart plane. We have used this wing and stab tube/sleeve system in thousands of IMAC and pattern planes for over 25 years.
To save a little weight you can use a Carbon Fiber tube in place of an aluminium tube.
Again, thanks for the excellent photos and step by step article. I hope more CL flyers discover this very good system. Steve's positive endorsement will help.
Regards,