Does anybody else use a router to cut ribs? I use small squares of double faced tape to hold my blanks in place under the template, and cut several ribs at once. The router bit is a 1/4" straight two flute bit with a bearing on the end. I square up the spar notches with a file or x-acto knife while the ribs are still taped to the pattern. I don't have to worry about cutting all my ribs at once because they always come out the same dimensionally. I can cut a stack about 3/4" high at one time. All the edges come out square and no sanding is required. I use 1/4" ply for the pattern template. It took longer to make a good true template than it did to cut 25 ribs. These ribs are for a scratchbuilt profile plane called "Frankenplank"- the ugliest plane on two lines.

Instead of using double sided tape to hold your ribs together, why not try 3M photo spray mount! I've used it without any problems, even on thin light free-flight scale model ribs!

Cheers    Neville

Frank,
Spray mount is like the adhesive thats on post-it pads it doesn't set. Just a light coat on one side of the balsa is all that's needed, you don't have to clean it off.

Cheers    Neville