Python Wing Tubes

[thunderbolt47]

The wing tubes do not fit the wing sections; wing sockets/wing tube are tight (creaking when trying to insert tube-stop remove tube) and upon visual investigation found hot glue drippings through to the interior of the tube. Additionally socket appeared to be slightly out of round. Large dowel with 200 grit sand paper and a lot of sanding removed the glue and rounded the wing sockets, but tubes still too tight. Did not want to undercut the sockets anymore so worked on carbon wing tubes. 300 grit sand paper and removal of the "gloss" on the tubes did the trick. Wing tubes now fit the wing sockets.
Thought that maybe this was one that "slipped" through the Quality Assurance crack, however friend is also building the Kimball Python and when I talked to him he had the same problem, not to the extent I did but he also had to clean and true up the wing socket tubes. My problems were with all four wing sections, he only had problems with the top wing sections.
Does the fix sound like the "right thing" or could it lead to massive problems?

[Reza]

Hi There,

You did the right thing
I won't sand the tube anymore. A little tight tube won't hurt and it won't be like this after 10 flights.

Thank you,
Reza

[Temptation]

A tight tube might seem like a bad thing, but I look at it as a good thing. As long as it's not to tight, sanding to get the proper fit as you did is a nice luxury. I would not remomend sanding a carbon tube. You may end up weaking it to a point of failure in flight.

When I build my pattern planes I use a 7/16" stab tube and socket. The tube always fits a little lose in the socket. Reverse problem of yours. What I do to fix this is, wax the tube with mold release wax then apply medium ca to the inside of the socket while twisting the tube in and out of the socket. When the ca dries I have a perfect snug fit.

The reason I posted this, is it is hard to find a tube and socket that fit perfect. Wether it's loose or tight, now guys will know how to fix either problem. Getting new parts is not the answer. Making what you have work is, in most cases the best remidy.