Yearly Archives: 2014


Fuel Tanks 30 (0.5 hr)

I wanted to be sure I had removed all of the rivets from the tank, so I busted out my cheap Chinese borescope and checked every compartment. I found the last two rivet heads tucked behind the connections for the capacitive fuel sensor.Found Rivets Found Rivets 2

 


Fuel Tanks 29 (3.5 hrs)

Mike Rollison was kind enough to lend me his drill press so that I could finally drill the holes for the access plates in the fuel tank baffle.  This would allow me access to remove the remaining rivet pieces for the incorrectly installed z-bracket mess-up.IMG_6280.JPG

Here is the drill press with the circle cutter installed. IMG_6281.JPG

I marked the centerpoint. IMG_6282.JPG

Using the wing cradle I pivoted the head of the drill press 180 degrees and cut a perfect hole. IMG_6283.JPG

I originally intended to do only two access plates. I would then use my cheap borescope to check all compartments.  Upon a little more reflection, I saw now harm in doing four access plates and ensuring I had every single bit of debris out of both tanks.  The peace of mind is well worth the effort.  Before I install the plates with pro-seal I will use my mirrors and borescope camera to thorough check every single part of the interior of the tank. IMG_6284.JPG

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Next I measured out where the plates would be and double check to make sure I had all the spacing correct. IMG_6287.JPG

I drilled each plate in place. IMG_6288.JPG

I’ve been meaning to buy a shop vac for the hangar for a long time.  This was the perfect excuse… I needed to be able to clean all the metal bits from the drilling etc from the tanks.IMG_6289.JPGMy final task for the day was to deburr all the edges and holes for the access plates.  Everything is ready for pro-seal.  I just need to order some new pro-seal and clean the surfaces with acetone or MEK. Then the tanks should be ready for leak checking and final install!  Only took a year!!

 


Wings 36 (6.0 hrs)

First order of business for today was to move my empennage to the new hangar.  Previously I had created a way to hang the tail feathers from one of the beams.  However, the beams in the new hangar are wider, and lower.  It didn’t require much of a change though. IMG_6263.JPG

I had to install two bits of two by four to ensure the parts remain level and don’t fall with the additional width of the beam.  I still need to secure the vertical stab as I always worry that its much more prone to falling than the horizontal stab.IMG_6265.JPG

Next up I finished the riveting of the aileron gap fairing and flap brace for the right wing.IMG_6266.JPG

 

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I swapped the wings and completed riveting the top skin to the rear spar on the left wing. I used the mushroom rivet set and tungsten bucking bar. IMG_6268.JPG

Next I I countersunk the aileron hinge brackets, and riveted them together. IMG_6269.JPG

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I riveted both aileron hinge brackets to the rear spar. AN470 4-7s are just a tad long. A 6.5 would be perfect, and if you make a small riveting mistake its easy to get a bad shop head. IMG_6272.JPG

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My final task for the day was to begin fitting the aileron gap fairing and flap brace on the right wing. IMG_6274.JPG