Hi Bob. That sounds really good and all, but the fact is that you don't really need this self-equalizing aspect. All that is needed is enough pressure along the length of the rib to do the job, and at the same time not too much. Ok... that said.. the hose systems being used there seem very very convenient and can easily enough be made to inflate quickly and simultaneously. Strikes me tho that there are several ways of going about providing more then adequate pressure without air driven systems tho. But then having no experience with doing any of this.... I of course have to nod appreciatively to those who do for the moment, and keep my own thoughts for experimentation some time in the near future. One other point... I liked Rons comment about securing the ribs against any movement regardless of how stable the system seems. Strikes me as an extra measure of caution that cant hurt and no doubt can potentially save a rather large headache... from time to time. Glue is slippery stuff when wet. All this said... Davids contribution here is a fine one.... deserving of a good long segment in the Tools and Tips bit in the journal... if not a shorter feature article. Nicely done once again. I'm sure several minds are already working on some refinements to the basic idea. Cheers RicB The beauty of the pneumatic systems is that the pressure is self-equalizing, instead of having spots of higher and lower pressure, and one size fits all. Bob D I think that getting the rib (of various lengths) positioned under enough leaf springs to provide adequate clamping pressure to press the whole thing into a curved caul is asking too much of that type of arrangement. David Love Why can't a few leaf springs be used instead of all this fancy air stuff? -- Regards, Jon Page
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