SonexBuilders.net

Sigh. (I said a few other words than "sigh")

If there is a way to screw something up, I'll find it....

Apparently I swapped the wing gussets from my kit and bent SNX-W15-06 and SNX-W15-07 the opposite way from their correct flanges.

I emailed tech support....and have some left over stock to use if need be....just tossing this out for opinions -- on page W15. I am working on the forward wing ribs and the gussets that go on some of the ribs.

For the wing gussets W15-06 and W15-07, I reversed the stock kit parts and made them mirror image from the correct part. (I bent the flanges the wrong way)

Is it okay to use them as-is and just put them opposite on the wing ribs? (so where the plan shows a -06 I put a -07)?

If not then I assume reversing the bends would stress the stock too much and result in a weak gusset.

I know tech support is out for the holiday break and will wait for their reply, and also start making plans for replacement gussets in case I need to make them....


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Starting on the wings
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

From what I remember, I believe the aft flange on the spacers lie on the aft rib flange and both get riveted to the spar web together. If that's the case I'm not sure there's enough strength if you flip them onto the back of the ribs. Is that the way they are? (my plans are at my hangar). If there's no overlapping flange you could (probably) just rivet them to the back of the ribs and be fine. I always understood those doublers as a reinforcement for the areas in the ribs you cut out for the spar caps, so the side of the rib shouldn't matter. I'd hate to tell you to do that though without checking with the mothership first.

I probably wouldn't reverse the numbers...I recall those were fit for each side and probably wouldn't work in reverse.

If you have any extra material laying around you could always make new ones on your own :?

Thanks Michael - I was asking if one gusset could be used where the other one would go, not on the other side of the rib. I does appear the flange strengthens the trimmed area so I understood why they are there....

Worst part is (I think it was you) that when I originally posted about the gussets, one good piece of advice was don't bend them the wrong way......ugh.


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Starting on the wings
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sonex tech support is awesome. It's their holiday break and Kerry replied anyhow.

I re-made the gussets from scrap stock and am proceeding. Reading about others...experiences....makes me realize I am not alone in my adventures. Each time I go to write a post about my "errors" (in person I have a more specific and accurate description) I hesitate to admit them...then realize its part of the process and I am not the only one.



Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Starting on the wings
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Don't worry Robbie...we've all had our share of "issues." (screw-ups). I have a nice flap blank with one row of rivet holes 1/8" off from where they need to be. I think the part was $100 but the shipping was even more!

If rib gussets are your biggest issue, I'd say you're doing pretty darn well!! :) :lol:

I have a whole vertical stabilizer and a few extra skins that did not cut it, not too mention an uncounted number of the angle/plated parts remade... and some were remade a few times. But that is the beauty of homebuilding, you dont have to settle for messed up or ok, you just chunk it and make another until you are happy with it. Every time you make a part over, the next one goes quicker as well, like practicing! :)