Hey Guys,
First of all.... The "Search" for stringer material was an eye opener...
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I originally wanted 1/2" X .028 6061 Aluminum round tubes for my Stringers...
It's what the Tailwind guys use...
The price of the tubing was a shock.... ACS wants $2.47 PER FOOT ( Plus Shipping )
I looked at other places and found that was about the cheapest around...
I considered other options... but some were just TOO HEAVY...
Earl's Building Pictures shows aluminum stringers that were formed in a "Brake"
Mine didn't turn out as "Rounded" as his.... But I do have a slight radius on my "V"
I Sheared strips 1-1/4" X 12 ft long of 6061-T6 .032 Aluminum
Then , Using a knife edge upper die in the Brake....
Pressed them into a "V".... Careful not to "Max out the bend , Because it
was bent "with" the grain.... and could crack....
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I formed 10 pieces... I'll have plenty of extra...
and I only used a piece 12.5" X 12'
They are very strong !!!!
Here's some pictures of the Top Stringer
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Gotta Fly...
OK... I'm at the Fabric stage... Just back here to add feedback... I do NOT like the tube on the Vertical Stabilizer...
The tube is fine... But it's TOO HIGH... The Stringer should end up the height of the Bottom of the VS...
In other words... The Tube I have here should have been about 3/8 inch LOWER...Maybe 1/2 inch...
All the other Stringers worked out fine.