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Is anyone else reinforcing the side joints where tension and compression meet? I've been gorilla gluing and laminating it, but the results between those and others dont seem to be profoundly different? Is there even a need to do so?

You probably want to do some reinforcing, however, Gorilla glue is a bit too much. You probably just want to use CA glue and some scraps to reinforce the joint.

Using gussets over lamination can prove to be more effective.

nxtscholar wrote:Using gussets over lamination can prove to be more effective.

Yes I agree with nxtscholar that a gusset plate would be a good idea (I used to use them on boomilever with good results). Also make if you do use gorilla glue, make sure that its the CA kind, which has a blue cap to it and looks like a bottle of superglue. you can usually get it at any hobby/craft store.

Thanks for the replies. I thought gussets and laminations were essentially the same thing. What's the difference?

UQOnyx wrote:Thanks for the replies. I thought gussets and laminations were essentially the same thing. What's the difference?

Laminations typically cover only a single piece of wood. Say for example a compression member of a boomilever, you could use a very weak low density 'core' and then laminate a thin but strong strip along the sides to make it very strong.

Gussets cover multiple pieces to reinforce joints and add more surface area.

Oh, sorry, I've been using the words wrong. I meant lamination.

What is the best type of wood and why?

taimur18 wrote:What is the best type of wood and why?

Carbon fiber because it's not wood.

(A better answer might be, that's a really, really, seriously general question that doesn't have a single answer. Look around under Bridge Building and there's been a lot of talk about that kind of thing. You'll find a better answer that way.)

This image is actually from the Wright Stuff guide, but it serves it's purpose. Notice that the 2nd and 4th configurations both have a small triangular plate, but one is more effective than the other. btw, UQOnyx, I take it that you did stay behind with your MS team then?

@taimur18: In a rather heinous oversimplification, bass is stronger, but inherently heavier; balsa is weaker, but much lighter. You have to figure out which areas are subject to greater compression/tension and decide whether or not to use bass/balsa. There are numerous programs out there like JHU's bridge builder program that can help you calculate the force exerted on each member.