Form Blocks - To Make or Buy?

[Timmyjane]

Do most people make their own form blocks or go ahead and buy the kit from Sonex?

[n502pd]

I didnt see this prior to my most recent PM.
I used tracing paper for copying from plans, the parts I made, and made my own forming blocks out of good hard composit wood product (cant remember what its called!). experimented a bit with the process, and went ahead and made all formed aluminum. I felt as I was scratch building, why not make the tools, so I even made a 9 ft bending brake for the long parts! and a short brake for the small parts, and a special brake to make the very tight curved trailing edged of control surfaces. And, I did have a pile of 'Test" items when I was done! Again, just me, and a great retirement project!

[Bryan Cotton]

I've made form blocks for a scratch built Hummelbird. It's no big deal, especially if you are a committed scratch builder. But there is something to be said for one less thing to do.

There are a few scratch builders here, but I think you will find the majority of us got formed ribs in their kit.

[builderflyer]

Do most people make their own form blocks or go ahead and buy the kit from Sonex?

Kits were not yet available (even the plans were not yet completed) when I began building my Sonex in early 1999 but I did purchase what was available at the time, including form blocks.

Art,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Sonex taildragger #95,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Jabiru 3300 #261

[Eric W]

I made the form blocks for my plans build. Not a big deal. I used MDF. If going this route, you'll also need to make little form blocks for the tail leading edge ribs.

Only the legacy Sonex is available for plans-build though. Any of the B-models, Waiex or Onex - you'll get all the ribs with the kit.