Sect 8-11, Step 4:
Riveted rib and spar assembly into skins - starting with Nose Ribs to Front Spar. Used LP4-3 blind rivets. Added extensions to blind rivet tool: simply pulled off the grey handle grips and slid on ~14" tubes made from old aluminum broom handle. Added some duct tape (of course !) to "soften" the ends. So much easier. From barely able to squeeze handles inside skins to super easy access and leverage. Only wish I'd done this for first 3 rivets...9 others were quick and easy. When done really simple to put grips back on, too.
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| 3 blind rivets per Nose Ribs...difficult to get hands around grips to sufficiently squeeze...until extensions added. |
Next Sect 8-12, installing flush rivets. 4 different lengths--- so must follow guide on page 8-13. Began along front spar from center working outward. Kinda challenging to hold bucking bar inside skins -- but getting them done one by one. This will take awhile.
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| Self portrait in skins. Note flush rivets horizontally along spar. It's a start! |