3CW

Help! It's Friday the 13th, under an ice storm warning and I need guidance on my wing build!
First: The center to center measurement of the holes for the wing attachment pins on the fuselage is 27 3/8". The book calls for a outside dimension of 30" on the wing spars (that's where you set you stops on the build horses). With 2 1/2" OD spars, I'm a 1/8" shy, should've measured 27 1/2". The spar openings on the ribs do measure 25" on the inside, which tally to 30". Question: Do I move the blocks in an 1/8" to hit the centers on the fuselage? I'll have to shave off the open end of the ribs to allow for this. The wing tanks do measure 24 3/4-7/8, so they are o.k. What would you do? Am I not seeing something?
Second: I'm supposed to trim the trailing end of the ribs. This is one of the first things I'm to do. The end result of this step is to utilize a trailing edge cable. Doing this would give the appearance of a serrated edge like a ol' Spad. I want a straight trailing edge. I saw in the Wicks catalogue (still waiting on Aircraft Spruce) aluminum trailing edge, but don't know what it really is. Wicks only sells a 10' length so I'd have a splice. I saw efil 01's build on here and he used an aluminum trailing edge (great lookin' plane too!). Question: Where did you guys get the edge? Using the AL edge, did you just leave the trailing edge of the rib square instead of tapering the cap strip. Does anyone have any details; close up pictures, drawings of what you did? I remember seeing a build where they even reinforced a trailing edge by glueing tubing inside the angle. Akflyr?
Third: I have to shave the spar stiffener down about an 1/16". What would be the best way to shave it and keep it true? A planer? Looking at the install, I'm thinkin', what a pain! Make a push stick and shove 'er in. Gotta a better way? Stiffener measures 2 3/8, ID of the spar (.083 wall) 2 5/16". It looks to me like the only thing that holds it in place when installed, is tail end of the rivets holdin the middle of the strut attach bracket. Right?
Fourth: For structural adhesive I've got 3M 2216 Epoxy Adhesive. Sold in'89, it's as hard as a rock. Whadda y'all use? I have non-tautening nitrate dope (CPC Certified Coatings, vintage 1989). That's what the book calls for on all wooden parts. I trialed a piece of plywood with a couple of coats and it's not water repellant. It is powerful stuff and looks o.k. I do have Poly-Fiber epoxy varnish. Is that what I should use? I
I'm gonna stop here for now. The answers to these questions will get me goin'. I sure would appreciate you guys lettin' me know what ya'. Somebody said the only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask! Well.........
Wyatt
 
 
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Howdy Boys!
I've got my horses, garage organized, and I'm gonna start buildin'wings. I've been lookin' at powerplants for this plane and have been lookin real hard at the UL260is. I defiantly want to hang a 4 stroke on now, for I think, obvious reasons, and the UL sounds like a very good engine. Has anyone out there installed one or heard about anyone who has put one on an Avid C like mine? Air cooled, fuel injected, direct drive and more, make it quite attractive. Evidentially, they're gonna start puttin' them on Kitfoxes! I have concerns though. It weighs 159lbs and at 107hp, is that too much for an Avid C? Do ya' think it would fit under a conventional cowling off of a Mk 4? I do not know! I am wanting to make a cowling swap with chopndrag down in Florida, his conventional (Cessna style) for my round cowling. Surely, if you can fit a 912 under there you could fit a UL. Heck, they've fit 0-200's haven't they? Chopndrag is pretty hot on my round cowl, and well, I wouldn't mind taking a trip down there! 
I do know I'm gettin' the cart way of the horse here, but I do like to have a plan. As I build my kit, I'll post pictures and my many questions under the Model C section. Yes, I already got questions galore for you guys!!!! I'll post'em. Post 'em?.....Hmmmm I feel like a computer nerd.
Wyatt

Hi guys! Thought I already made a post on this subject, but I was wrong! I'll try again.
After my inventory of the my newly boughten kit, the conclusion is that the majority of the kit is here. The guy who sold it to me had been cleaning and sanding on the fuselage: rust which had bled through, paint voids and such. He was planning on touching up those areas with the epoxy chromate that was used before. I'm thinkin' No. I'm thinkin' sandblast and powder coat the whole thing. Before that takes place I may want to add more support. A friend of mine noticed a uncovered kit for sale on Barnstorms which had additional support welded in. The support consisted of tubular support under the seats and gusseting welded in below the cockpit and above the mains. I would've never considered doing this. I thought she looked pretty stout. Anybody else do such a thing? I ain't plannin' on any aerobatics!
A couple of more questions: The book calls for horses to build the wings. I'm thinkin' a 4'X16' table. Did y'all use tables? And do y'all see any adhesion issues gluing the fabric to a powder coated surface?
Here's a picture of what they did:
Wyatt 

Howdy boys! I've gone though my recently bought kit, and by golly, looks like she's pretty well all there. All the chromalloy parts and the fuselage were painted with epoxy chromate primer. There are small amounts of rust coming through in places, no pitting at all. Instead of touching up, I'm gonna take a step back and strip, sandblast and powder coat all. A friend noticed, on Barnstorms, pictures of an uncover kit which showed additional gusseting welded below the cockpit and above the gear. Also bracing was welded in below the seats. Do y'all feel it's nessecary and have any of you guys done the same? I'll want to do these "addons" before I get it coated. And speaking of powder coating, do ya' think there'd be an adhesion issue gluing the fabric to a powder coated surface?
Wyatt

Howdy boys!
Wyatt here and I'd thought I'd introduce myself. I'm a divorced father of 3 grown boys, 60yr old retired plumber/pipefitter from Shelbyville, IL. Aviation was always a passion. Got my private ticket in '85, but quit flying in '98, accumulating 300hrs. Life can kinda get in the way. Last winter I picked up a basket case Challenger II that a couple of 'ol boys had bent, put 'er back to rights, and have been flying it since June. Love it, a good little airplane! I now have another project, an  '89 Avid Flyer kit. The deal was done Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas to me! I just purchased the airframe, as I would rather have a 582 than the included 532 on the nose. I hope to tap on the wealth of knowledge here to aid me in the build! I'll try not to be a pain, but I know there's gonna be questions. With a whole bunch of pieces and parts, and you guys, I'm gonna build an airplane! If anyone out there is close to Shelbyville , please let me know. Hell, I've never even seen an Avid up close! 
Thanks a lot guys and look forward to it!
Wyatt