Yearly Archives: 2014


Wings 35 (5.0 hrs)

Today I started with riveting the right wings aileron brackets.  This required me to do a quick countersink for the rivets closest to the bearings.  The flush side of the 426 rivets should be towards the outboard wing tips.  Then I placed the bearings in place and riveted the brackets.  This took some finesse as the AD426 4-11’s are long!  I had to play with several setups before I found a yoke and rivet set combination that could go allow enough space. IMG_6229.JPGIMG_6230.JPG

I slightly over-countersunk one rivet.  Its not drastic enough that I feel compelled to replace the part. I really hate the original countersinks I have.  I’ll try to post a photo comparison of the different countersinks. IMG_6252.JPG

Then I set up my saw horses, a large piece of plywood and a blanket as my make-shift table for the right wing. IMG_6227.JPG

Its been way too long since I riveted the top skins.  The past six months have been really slow!!!! I need to be in the shop more. I used the mushroom swivel set and a tungsten bucking bar to make quick work of the rear spar.  Only a couple mistakes along the way. IMG_6237.JPG

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I had a previous error from dimpling the rear spar. This required a reinforcement bracket and an oops rivet, both shown below. I’m really happy with how it came out.  You can see that mistake and solution here, in the post titled Wings 17 from March of this year. IMG_6254.JPGIMG_6253.JPG

The completed riveting job.  I’m very happy with the results. IMG_6241.JPG

Next up, it was time to rivet the aileron brackets to the rear spar.  This was a pain in the ass.  It took quite a lot of force to get these rivets to buck. IMG_6242.JPG

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After completing the riveting for the aileron brackets, I clecoed the flap brace and aileron gap fairing in place. IMG_6245.JPG

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My final task for the night was to rivet the aileron gap fairing to the rear spar.  Quick work. I finished out the night with a good shop cleanup. IMG_6248.JPG


Wings 34 (2.0 hrs)

As I was cleaning and organizing the hangar today, I also set about priming the aileron gap fairings, flap braces, and aileron hinge brackets for both wings. With my hangar mate’s airplane still in the other hangar this was the perfect opportunity to prime without having to take the parts off the airport. Not much to tell. I used the same technique as always… scuff the surface lightly with a scotchbrite pad, clean with acetone, and prime.IMG_6219.JPGIMG_6222.JPG

This is a good picture of both the priming and the new shop setup. IMG_6225.JPG

IMG_6223.JPGThis is a good picture of


Hangar Cleanup

Last week, with the help of other EAA members, I was able to move the contents of my hangar from hangar 5 to my new residence in hangar 51. Moving is one thing, unpacking and reorganizing is another thing.

I took the opporotunity to take care of twho things that have been on my list for quite some time. First, I build a pegboard frame for behind my main work bench. I simply made a frame from 2x4s and 3 inch screws. Currently, the only thing preventing the pegboard from falling over is the workbench.  Its a very heavy and solid work bench, so its not in danger of falling, but I will need to secure it a little bit better.IMG_6220.JPG

Here you can see the shop after clean up.IMG_6224.JPG

Several months ago, I bought an air hose reel from Harbor Freight.  Unfortunately, I did not think to buy the additional hose required to hook it to the compressor at the time. Well after a long wait, I finally knocked out that small project too.  Having the reel is fantastic.  I love the new shop setup! I also bought a power strip with switches for each plug.  This way I can ensure I don’t pop a fuse and I can turn on lights and such with the flick of a central switch.IMG_6218.JPG

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