biplane assembly jigs

I often make jigs for assembling biplanes myself out of scrap material.  One jig I frequently make is a dummy top wing from acrylic or other transparent plastic.  I measure carefully the holes in the top wing, and transfer the measurements to the transparent wing.  This allows me to see the struts fitting into the holes much easier than with the actual wing.  I use this dummy wing to glue on the struts and adjust until the dummy wing sits correctly. I allow the struts to set up completely, before replacing the dummy wing with the actual wing.  I do not, of course, apply any glue to where the struts go into the holes on the dummy wing.  I make other jigs, say the ones to set dihedral on lower wings, from inexpensive particle board.  I always keep scraps of that stuff around just for making jigs.

 

I did not know there were aftermarket wing jigs.  I am building my second 1/32 scale bi plane and I am having to build a fixture for both the fuselage and the wing.  Like Don, I use scrap sheets, mostly of plywood for the fixture base and to keep the weight down, will use sheet plastic, or poster board, for a dummy wing.   

JHModels is in Europe, but the jigs are pretty competitive in price, other wise UMM have some.

JH Models are of a more sturdy construction than the plastic ones impo.

http://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/index.php?manufacturers_id=114&osCsid=8aecd3813c1896aaa27bc93a081e2e38

http://www.jhmodels.eu

I have a spool of very thin wire. While I've only done it twice, I measured and drilled percise holes with my finger drill. I glued the bottomof the top wing and the top of the bottom together and then to the rest of the airplane. I threaded the wires in and had them pulled tight the way I wanted them then I glued down the loose ends of the wire to the inside of the wings using number tabs I cut off the sprue. Glued the wings together and was finished. It keeps the ends out of sight.

If you are a subscriber there is an article on the website called triplane tricks which shows a diy jig...on my endless tool build list. On a side note we had a mini discussion at my ipms meeting when a guy was showing making turnbuckles that a lot of guys are intimidated by rigging. Bob Gregory Ruining one kit at a time

I didn't know there was jigs for this. I have several biplanes and often wonder how to rig. It's the reason I don't tackle them.

Lego blocks.