Sec 7-2 Stiffener deburring. Lots of parts and edges !
Step 4: Radius corners on forward ends of R912 and R903 counterbalance ribs...to ease fit to skins.
Also fluted each rib to straighten out ribs...slightly only since almost straight prior.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Empennage
Rudder ( 2 hr )
Sec 7-2 Stiffener deburring. Lots of parts and edges !
Step 4: Radius corners on forward ends of R912 and R903 counterbalance ribs...to ease fit to skins.
Also fluted each rib to straighten out ribs...slightly only since almost straight prior.
Sec 7-2 Stiffener deburring. Lots of parts and edges !
Step 4: Radius corners on forward ends of R912 and R903 counterbalance ribs...to ease fit to skins.
Also fluted each rib to straighten out ribs...slightly only since almost straight prior.
Empennage
Jan 9, 2016 (almost caught up to new builders log)
Rudder first steps (3 hrs)
Rudder. Started Sec 7-2 Step 1,2 & 3. Used band saw to quickly separate lots of pieces. Getting better at quickly deburring parts on scotchbrite wheel.
Sec 7-3 at Step 1. Radius corners of extruded alum Rudder Horn. Couple iterations to get clearance along top edge to forward edge of Bottom Rib - but can't add material back !
Seems like a lot of time, but this includes reading through manual couple times to insure understand assembly steps, checking Gotchas from VAF, etc.
Rudder first steps (3 hrs)
Rudder. Started Sec 7-2 Step 1,2 & 3. Used band saw to quickly separate lots of pieces. Getting better at quickly deburring parts on scotchbrite wheel.
Sec 7-3 at Step 1. Radius corners of extruded alum Rudder Horn. Couple iterations to get clearance along top edge to forward edge of Bottom Rib - but can't add material back !
Seems like a lot of time, but this includes reading through manual couple times to insure understand assembly steps, checking Gotchas from VAF, etc.
Empennage
Jan 9, 2016 (catching up in new blog...almost there!)
Vertical Stab (2hrs)
Sec 6-5 Step 3. Almost done with Vert Stab assembly (at least this section of manual).
Key is following sequence along front spar from "center" to tip, then center back to root. I was concerned with reaching these and "blind" bucking, but went better than expected. Checking shop ends by pressing finger onto head, then measuring depression on finger. While fingers get sore after awhile, sure feels good to get this part done.
Pics below show finished Vertical Stab...at least completed Section 6. Hooray...!
Above pics show after completing Step 4 - rivet along top and bottom, and along rear spar. Required mostly Main Squeeze, but several required rivet gun and bucking bar due to limited access. 470 heads in spar next to skin rivets often prevented using squeezer. Some I could do after switching sets, changing spacing, etc. This last step took a little longer than expected, but looks great when done.
Vertical Stab (2hrs)
Sec 6-5 Step 3. Almost done with Vert Stab assembly (at least this section of manual).
Key is following sequence along front spar from "center" to tip, then center back to root. I was concerned with reaching these and "blind" bucking, but went better than expected. Checking shop ends by pressing finger onto head, then measuring depression on finger. While fingers get sore after awhile, sure feels good to get this part done.
Pics below show finished Vertical Stab...at least completed Section 6. Hooray...!
 |
| Great idea to tape over holes to leave unfilled. Easy to get confused as focused on riveting. |
Above pics show after completing Step 4 - rivet along top and bottom, and along rear spar. Required mostly Main Squeeze, but several required rivet gun and bucking bar due to limited access. 470 heads in spar next to skin rivets often prevented using squeezer. Some I could do after switching sets, changing spacing, etc. This last step took a little longer than expected, but looks great when done.
Empennage
Jan 8, 2016 (catching up in new builder's blog)
Vert Stab (5 hrs )
Sec 6-5 Step 1 & 2 Finished riveting ribs to front spar. Challenging to not scratch primer. Cleco skin to front ribs and front spar. Good fit of skin at leading edge to nose rib and tip rib (success !). Some extra clamping to insure flanges stay tight to skin when riveting.
No pics today...I need to remember to take pics along each major step, or at least each day. Having too much fun making good progress.
Vert Stab (5 hrs )
Sec 6-5 Step 1 & 2 Finished riveting ribs to front spar. Challenging to not scratch primer. Cleco skin to front ribs and front spar. Good fit of skin at leading edge to nose rib and tip rib (success !). Some extra clamping to insure flanges stay tight to skin when riveting.
No pics today...I need to remember to take pics along each major step, or at least each day. Having too much fun making good progress.