Today was a day of mostly testing a different process. I'm tool challenged for making the T-25 ribs using the procedure in the manual. I don't have a sheer or a mill to make the forming block. I've been contemplating this for a long time and wanted to try a couple different ideas for the tool challenged.
For the web blanks I cut them with the HF throatless sheer. This worked just fine but it does take a little longer and the edges need to be cleaned up. I bent the 90 degree bend for the channel in my HF 36" brake. That also worked great. For the inside bend I made a forming block out of oak to make the form. That worked good too but it was a little difficult removing the finished rib after it has been formed as the rib compresses around the forming block. I also tried a piece of 1/2" x 2" channel steel cut to a 1' length that I picked up at Tractor Supply. I ground a 45 degree angle on edge for the bend. This worked good too. For the ribs that vary at each end from 1/2" to 7/8" I'd have to make individual forming blocks so the metal piece will save me from having to do that.
I managed to make several ribs with just the inboard rib to go. Now that I have the process down the rest should go quicker.
