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Hi everyone;
While upsizing the lower splice plates, I noticed a small gap on the forward fuse side ends. Since this is the juncture of the forward / aft fuse sides, would there be a concern for strength? The aft ends on the aft fuse sides are butted nice and tight, not sure how / why there is a small gap on the forward ends? I could probably lift the lower fuse skin and draw the lower left in with a "C" clamp, would it really matter? The hardware is a nice medium tap in with a small hammer for the tight fit called out.


Botton left splice plate forward end


Bottom right forward splice plate end bolted

Hi Ken, it doesn't look too bad to me. There is some danger that if the splice plates are crooked you could lose the 2D edge distance in the longeron. It might be worth measuring the distance from the hole center to the edge of the longeron. It should be 3/8".

Peter

Thanks Peter;
Been mulling it over while traveling a week for work.

I contacted Sonex tech and they recommend closing the gaps. I will order a new vertical splice plate for the side already bolted and match fit it in with the existing holes. I'll try to re-position the other piloted side with clamps and up size from there.

Ken,

If the pre-drilled bottom piece fits with no effort, I wouldn't bother with doing anything. If it bothers you then fix it the way you think it should be. If your just worried about if it will be strong enough......it will be strong enough.
Advice from Tech will always get the same response. If it doesn't match the plans, then do it again and here is the list of parts and here is your bill.
Nothing out-worldly about that. They have to keep to the script if they're worth their salt? Liability lurking in every corner of life.
I have zero doubt it will last the life of the airframe.

Larry
Waiex121YX. Camit 3300, Skyview, just short of 600 hrs. airframe time.

If the plates look like they are parallel to the longerons, check the overall. It should be 40". That #1 lower cross-tie's holes were not correctly spaced on our kit and caused undue stress here at Area 51%.

LarryEWaiex121 wrote:
If your just worried about if it will be strong enough......it will be strong enough.

I have zero doubt it will last the life of the airframe.

That is the only thing I have been contemplating. I will try and clean up the gap on the lower left a bit more by drawing the vertical in and move on.. In case I screw it up, I have a replacement!

Area 51% wrote:If the plates look like they are parallel to the longerons, check the overall. It should be 40".

I was just under 1/32" or less of 40" when I riveted my #1 lower cross tie in.

Have you considered the machined angle component that combines the vertical with the horizontal plate? It's a very nice unit and you never have to worry about a gap.

Area 51% wrote:Have you considered the machined angle component that combines the vertical with the horizontal plate? It's a very nice unit and you never have to worry about a gap.

I did not know they had one, did you get yours from Sonex? All they have listed for the legacy model is individual plates!

They came with the machined angle component kit. Money well spent. I'll look for the part numbers.

Best guess, and I say guess because they weren't called splice plates on the inventory sheet, is M-SNX-F26-09R and L for the lower fittings, and M-SNX-F26-10R and L for the uppers.

These numbers are based on the stickers that apparently came off the parts and I stuck to the print at the splice plate locations.

Others probably can confirm or deny.