Brodak Wing Jig

[DanielGelinas]

Hi All,

Just bought a brodak wing jig. The instructions say you can only build half a wing at a time. I don't see any advantage to building half a wing at a time on a wing jig as opposed to building the full wing directly on the plan? Am I missing something?
I bought the jig to build the Brodak magician and the super clown.

Thanks,

-Danny

[Leester]

Are the Magician and Super Clown set up for this type jig ?? The leveling bar system works fine as long as your building table is flat. I personally as you say would rather build the wing in one piece, but many do it a half at a time then join them.

[peabody]

The Magician and Stupid Clown both have constant chord wings.....no need for a jig....just pin the trailing edge and go...

[DanielGelinas]

Yes these aircraft are set up to use this jig or to pin them on the plan.
I'm wondering though, in a general sense, is using a jig to do half a wing at a time as good a way to build a straight wing as pinning it down on the plans?

Thanks,

-Danny

[Paul Wood]

Daniel,

I've been using Brodak style wing jigs for many years with a high degree of accuracy.  The secret is to place the rod locator holes in the ribs dead accurately.  After much testing, I've found that smearing a little epoxy (not CA) on both sides of the ribs in the hole locations prior to drilling will give you a clean cut hole.  Allow the epoxy to set overnight.  Then use some type of holding jig/fixture and drill the holes using a drill press.  You can build the wing panels separately on the wing jig, then remove them and use the jig to assemble the two halves together.  Use the jig located thru the wing center section (assuming no dihedral).  I just attempted to build a Nobler wing on the table top using the block/shim method.  Did not work!!  Now starting over using the jig.  So far, so good.

Paul

[DanielGelinas]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the reply. I have a better understanding of how the half wing jig works now.
Both the magician and the super clown (kits) have holes in the ribs for the Brodak jig.

So, I think I'll try the jig. 

-Danny

[Bill Little]

Hi Danny,

If you have a really, really flat table, and are very critical in getting everything "right",  then blocking up/pinning the wing to build it is fine.  I think that most people who have not built a few hundred wings will be better off using a jig and setting it up straight.  Building in halves, or a "complete", wing doesn't make a WHOLE lot of difference for most wings, just joining the two halves straight is crucial. 

Big Bear