Brodhead Pietenpol Association

The plans (from Pietenpol) indicate the trailing edge of the rudder is made from 5/8 X 1 1/4 spruce. The plans also indicate that routing of 1/16" should be performed on each side, leaving the width at 1/2". My question is simply, if the top and bottom pieces of the rudder begin as 1" X 1" (I'm assuming they are also referred to as "main beam"), and routing of 3/16" is done on each side, the remaining width is 5/8". Am I being too anal to say the trailing edge and the upper and lower pieces will not match up when the gussets are fitted? Or, am I simply reading the plans incorrectly? Also, the 3/16" (thick) ribs will be too thick for a 1/16" routing, and simply wouldn't look as good as some that were fitted to 3/16 routing.

Along the same subject, would I be okay to use 1" X 1" for the rudder trailing edge, and rout 3/16" off both sides? Doing so would satisfy my hang up re the gussets - the routing and the pieces will simply fit better.

Perhaps I'm making too much of a small thing; I just need assurance that I'm doing it as should be.

Thanks, very much.

Stephen
Plano, Texas

Stephen,
I was stuck on the same thing. I found that I had to taper a lot of pieces to get them to match up.

Dan, thank you very much. Your pictures cleared up a lot for me. Your workmanship, too, is a level of accomplishment that I hope to match.

Again, thank you for your time and effort.

Stephen
Plano, Texas

Dan, I apologize for asking, but I would love to see how you formed the top of the vertical stabilizer.

The craftsmanship displayed in your photos is a level I'll never achieve, but you've given me something to shoot for. I especially appreciate the way you incorporated the gussets in the corners of the rudder. Simply beautiful! And, as I said, your photos really answered a bunch of questions.

Again, my thanks.

Stephen

Check out Chris Tracy's site, West Coast Piet. Lots of photos of some amazing work.