SNX-W08 spar mating

[Sonex1243]

Getting ready to mate the spars after two attempts of getting the attach blocks / angles assembled and installed. I have seen some discussion and other builder web sites and it seems that using a drill press on the attach blocks is a must for a good hole to 1/4" through both blocks and webs.
My dumb questions are:
1. What size bits / length are generally used to get through the attach blocks for the up sizing process? I'm looking at 13/64 to 7/32 to 15/64 and 1/4 on the attach blocks. Would piloted drill bits help if available? Also, looking at black oxide or titanium?
2. What methods did you use to get the spars on the ground / floor level to the drill press?
As usual, I am sure I am over engineering this again!

[Rynoth]

I drilled mine by hand on the floor, and went from 3/16 to 1/4. The most important part about the main bolt holes is that they are relatively straight, since you will be up drilling them again later during wing rigging.

Don't discount the importance of accurately up drilling the 3 alignment holes to 1/4 inch, they are what keep the wings mated during rigging. One could even argue that up drilling the wing attach blocks isn't even necessary at this time, since the alignment holes do much of the work keeping things straight before final wing bolt holes are drilled (I'm not suggesting this.)

Take your time and make sure you can get a nice snug fit of a bolt or pin in the 3 alignment holes and everything will be squarely mated for rigging down the road.

[wlarson861]

I did the same. I used a hand drill and took time to make sure I was lined up well.

[rizzz]

Did mine on a drill press with a long bit.
My drill press did not have the stroke to push all the way through so near the end I stopped end moved the drill a bit further out in the drill chuck.

[Sonex1243]

Thanks for all the responses, I don't quite trust myself to free hand the blocks yet since I egged a set in the vise with the reamer! Do you normally up-size / tight fit ream and bolt the three center holes first to lock everything in? That's the route I'll take, just to make sure the blocks are locked solid for upsizing.

[Rynoth]

When i did the initial mating I used some cut pieces of piano hinge pin through the 3 alignment holes, was a good fit and long enough to go through all the layers. Once the bolt holes were up-drilled I temporarily inserted bolts in them, then up-drilled the alignment holes.

[Gripdana]

Check the instructions in the plans. If I remember correctly the three books are alignment pin holes. I pinned mine then c-clamped the spars together and drilled the blocks.

[Gripdana]

Its three holes. I hate the auto correct on my phone

[Rynoth]

For what it's worth, here's a blog post I made about my spar mating. http://www.rynoth.com/wordpress/waiex/2 ... nd-mating/

[Sonex1243]

Been out of town;
Thanks again for the suggestions. My SNX-W08, detail "K" calls for reaming all 5 out to 1/4" with the attachment and alignment holes matched and clamped together. I had forgotten that I have long reach #40, #30, #21 and #10 cleco's to hold the three alignment holes while up sizing and bolting.

I took a look at the build blogs you guy's offered and it has cleared everything up!