Started final assembly of right main spar. Did a dry run of attaching bolts to parts where required and consulted the plans for torque values but could not find any so I went to the internet to research. What I found for the AN3 bolts with the AN365-1032 nuts was a range of 20 to 25 in lbs. and for the AN4 bolts with the AN 365-428 nuts was a range of 50 to 70 in lbs. The plans call for the AN365-1032 nut for the AN3 bolts, but it looks like the hardware package I bought from Spruce subed these with AN365-1032A elastic stop nuts! I don't think this is a problem, in fact it may be better, but the torque value will need to be increased to allow for the resistance of the elastic stop nuts---another varible to figure out--- sooo back to the internet for some more research. From what info I could find the consences seem to be that the nylon/elastic 1032 nuts had a resistance that could range from a min of 3 to a max of 10 in lbs. Based on this info proper torque for the AN3/AN365-1032A hardware can be established at 28 to 30 in lbs. and 63 to 65 in lbs. for the AN4/AN365-428A hardware. I sent an email to sonex tech guys to confrim/correct me on this. I will add their feed back here when I receive it. Sonex tech quickly got back to me on my questions about hardware and torque values. The elastic stop nuts are the correct hardware and that they use this type nut on all airframe fasteners. "We do not torque any airframe bolts---we tighten them by feel. Having said that, if you do torque the nuts you must: Make sure your torque wrench is calibrated Make sure your torque technique is correct Add the drag (determined by you) to the designated torque value of each size bolt." "We've found most people do poorly when employing a torque wrench as they put blind trust on a number and a tool and less on instinst, resulting, typically, is over-tightened bolts."
