We'd like to share some items that have proven quite useful during the building of the Nieuport 12. Some of these we have stolen from other crafts/trades and some from other people, who, for obvious reasons we will not identify.

JIG BLOCKS: These things are/were a god send during the fuselage, lower wing assembly and are still used around the shop. They helped during the fuselage layout and keeping things square when the sides were joined. They functioned to raise the tubing off the table and allow the gussets to wrap around during riveting. One neat aspect is noting the guide line as shown(ABC on the drawing). These lines allow you to locate the blocks during layout. The lines positions the block for the two tubing sizes and, if you look at the plans, some tube locations are "centered" and some locations are off set.Line A is for edge alignment regardless of tube size. Line B is 1/4" from line A and equals the center of the 1/2" tube, and likewise ine C is 1/2" from the edge line and centers a 1" tube. Position the block with the two "ears" on the bottom and screw (drywall) it down, the tubing lays in the top cut out and is held in place with the little rectangular piece (D). This rectangle was "off fall" from making the notch and is screwed in place as needed. We off set the screw hole a little so the rectangle could hold a variety of sizes with out re-drilling the screw hole ( that sounds better than what really happened...I miss drilled, but it worked better!). Note...get the best grade of 2x4 to make these, ..not the $1.89 wonders at Builder/Menards. GO TO A LUMBER YARD! Get two PREMIUM STUD grade ZERO defect 2x4! NO TWIST, WARP OR BOW. You'll be glad you did.

Think they take too much time ... well, I spent about 2 hr. making 40 of them and these saved Hugh and I hours and hours of heartache, pain and suffering

Don't get crazy about the dimensions I show on the drawing...something close will be great.

DIAGONAL MEASURE: Stolen form the cabinet trade, this little gem will solve all your diagonal and horizontal tube measuring troubles. The two sticks (no, it don't matter what kinda wood ) are each about 1/4" thick and 1/2" high and 15" long. Cut or sand one end along both 1/2" sides to a point in the middle. Leave the other end square. Do the same thing on the other piece, get a spring clamp and you are ready to roll. Position the sticks 1/2" side to 1/2" side, pointy ends out, slide along each othe r till both of the points contact the two opposing tubes. Place the clamp on the sticks, pull the assembly out and Viola! You now have the location for the tangent of the notches you have to cut.