Wing Alignment Dowels - Tight Fit - Can I Adjust the Fit?

Question: Can I adjust the position of the alignment dowel holes in the wing roots? I find that the dowels are a bit tight or out of position when trying to join the wing halves together.

Answer: Yes.

Better Answer: Yes. Here is some information and a procedure that you may find helpful to review first.

The alignment dowels are the short (approx 1/4 x 1 inch) wooden dowels used with the wing spar joiner when joining the wing halves.

Taper the alignment dowel ends with a knife or sandpaper. Do NOT modify the dowel center section, just taper the ends. Insert the wing spar joiner. Now try fitting the wing together again. If the wings now fit together well then separate the wings and spar joiner and continue with the wing joining procedure outlined in your instruction book using plenty of 30 Minute Epoxy on all of the components.  

If you find that the fit is still tight then try the following: Separate the wing halves. Remove the alignment dowels. Insert the spar joiner and join the wing halves. If the joiner fits and the wings line up well, then you can adjust the location or size or shape of the alignment dowel holes slightly. Separate the wings again. Remove the dowels and taper the ends but not the main center section of each dowel. Insert one alignment dowel in the forward hole of the left wing. Glue the dowel into the forward hole of the left wing with CA glue. Join the wings and check where the dowel contacts the opposite right wing root. Separate the wings, elongate the forward hole in the right wing root to better line up with the dowel. Work in small steps. Elongate the hole slightly and then check again. Repeat this process in small steps. At some point the hole will accomodate the dowel. Make sure the wing roots can now be joined.

Separate the wing halves again. Insert the second dowel in the aft hole of the right wing. Glue the dowel into the aft hole of the right wing with CA glue. Join the wings and check where the dowel contacts the opposite left wing root. Separate the wings, elongate the aft hole in the left wing root to better line up with the dowel. Work in small steps. Elongate the hole slightly and then check again. Repeat this process in small steps. At some point the hole will accomodate the dowel. Make sure the wing roots can now be joined.

Separate the wing halves and spar joiner and then follow the wing joining procedure outlined in your instruction book using plenty of 30 Minute Epoxy on all of the components.