Build order - engine or wings next?

[Darick]

This is completely my two cents, so take it for what it's worth...

Do the wings next....

The engine assembly will be the reward for finishing the wings!

Ok, I'm back in the wings camp.

[Bryan Cotton]

All good discussion, thanks. I am not burning out on sheetmetal. I live for it! I don't have any wall space in the hangar though. Storage of the wings could be tricky. That was why I was thinking engine. I do have a prebuilt spar, two speed deburring tools and 4 hands! I was thinking that if I bought a HF engine stand I could leave the pickeled engine on it and roll it around as needed.

[fastj22]

All good discussion, thanks. I am not burning out on sheetmetal. I live for it! I don't have any wall space in the hangar though. Storage of the wings could be tricky. That was why I was thinking engine. I do have a prebuilt spar, two speed deburring tools and 4 hands! I was thinking that if I bought a HF engine stand I could leave the pickeled engine on it and roll it around as needed.

I stored my wings (done first) by hanging them in straps from my garage ceiling on straps and hooks. Out of the way but visible to keep me motivated.
Of course, I used a Jabiru engine which didn't require building, just installing.

I do however have a disassembled Corvair engine on the floor that keeps me from working on the Pietenpol wing ribs! I love this hobby.

[ScottM-Sonex1629]

Bryan have you seen the plans for the vertical wing storage cart with wheels? This is a perfect solution for your hanger workshop.

If you keep moving ahead with the forward fuselage, you will probably be burnt out with the aluminum phase of the project for a while.

I built my wings after the tail, so the fuselage was my last major section...but like you the engine arrived right after I completed the aft fuselage.

That being said I wanted a break from aluminum and built my engine over the month of May. It was a very nice "reward" from the wings and aft fuselage...but it has been sitting on a rolling stand now for 3 months as I have finished the forward fuselage and landing gear.
In terms of "pickling" the engine, unless you go crazy with cleaning during assembly everything on the inside (of mine) is still the way it came from Sonex plus it has a assembly white lithium grease and engine oil on the moving parts now.

Finish your forward fuselage and build the engine!

Or finish your wings and forward fuselage and then build the engine!

It's your project do it however you want to!

[Bryan Cotton]

Scott,
I have seen the rolling wing stands. I am just low on floor space. I have a renter in my hangar and don't want to crowd him. The income is good. I am afraid to hang my wings because when the hangar door and garage door are both open it can be a wind tunnel. They invented wind here in Illinois, you know.

I am leaning towards engine after it is on the gear. What will probably decide the next task will be whatever keeps Adam the most engaged.

[ScottM-Sonex1629]

Good idea on keeping your son engaged.

Honestly I just removed the 4' x 10' work table from my garage which was not needed anymore now that the wings are done, and the fuselage is on the landing gear. If I had to say what takes more room...I would say the table does over the wings/ wing stands.

Also for the record I am hanging my wings like John did for the ceiling of my garage! It scares my wife every time she thinks about it. But I have hooks directly connected to the truss joists, and have used double ratchet straps,on the spar root side. They are high enough up that the wind has no effect on them...it can be pretty windy here in Ohio too,where we invented Aviation!

[Sonex1517]

....They invented wind here in Illinois, you know...

Bryan

It is only windy here because Milwaukee sucks. (As a cheesehead I am allowed to state these things though Joe may revoke my cheese card)

Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[Gripdana]

I vote wings. Why horse before the cart when the cart is not done? I started on the tail and am working to the spinner. I made sense to me.

[Gripdana]

I vote wings. Why put horse before the cart when the cart is not done? I started on the tail and am working to the spinner. I made sense to me.
Sorry I missed a word on the last post. I had only 4 hours between shifts. I'm kind of tired.

[Sonerai13]

It is only windy here because Milwaukee sucks. (As a cheesehead I am allowed to state these things though Joe may revoke my cheese card)

Robbie,

You'd be dancing dangerously close to the edge if not for the fact that I agree with you on Milwaukee (for the most part). Even the Brewers are falling on their collective butts these days. If it weren't for Harley-Davidson, the whole place could slide into Lake Michigan and it wouldn't matter much!! :)