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Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:12 pm
by DWest
Clearly the plans call for rivets. Has anyone used u-nuts and a 6-32 screw to fasten the wingtips or something other than rivets?

Seems like a great way to allow for inspection and allow better access to the wing..

Thoughts?

Re: Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:21 pm
by BobDz
Not there yet. But I've been thinking along the same lines. Especially if I install position lights.

Re: Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:29 pm
by BRS
On my Sonex-A rebuild, the Aveo LED's wiring needed attention. In order to do so I had to drill several rivets. Now I'd like to 3D print a mount for them so they aren't at an angle. But then I'd have to drill those rivets again. I say find some way to use another option. Removeable wingtips would be great. Keep in mind though to maintain structural integrity.

Re: Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:01 am
by Area 51%
It's my understanding the Xenox wingtips are quickly interchangeable. How do they attach?.

Re: Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 9:24 am
by XenosN42
Area 51% wrote:It's my understanding the Xenos wingtips are quickly interchangeable. How do they attach?.


Piano hinges.

Re: Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 10:35 am
by Scott Todd
You could use regular nut plates. On my Onex, I was thinking I might want to change the tips to short ones someday. After weighing all the odds. I used aluminum rivets. I figure I could drill them out in about the time it tales to install one nut plate if I ever go this route. My wing was painted white and I found some rivets already painted white. The red tips were added after everything was painted. Can't tell the difference :)

Re: Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:08 pm
by Bryan Cotton
I also used aluminum pops for the wingtips on my Waiex A model. Very easy to drill out if required. It's been required once.

Re: Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:46 pm
by BobDz
Bryan Cotton wrote:I also used aluminum pops for the wingtips on my Waiex A model. Very easy to drill out if required. It's been required once.


Seems to be the easiest, cheapest, lightest solution.

Re: Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 2:58 pm
by N265DF
Sonex Tech told me okay to use aluminum rivetes for wingtips but, ironically for tail tips stainless steel rivets required.

Darrell Frey
N265DF
Think getting close to flying, but I recall saying that to my lovely Spouse 10 years ago on her 80th birthday.

Re: Wingtip fasteners

PostPosted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 4:51 pm
by DWest
I can’t see how nut plates would work in fiberglass. Sonex told me the same about the tail tips, factory only so I did and had only one slightly crack the fiberglass. That was because it was too tight in that area to begin with.

Guess the aluminum rivets will be the solution for me too. Got a part number?