Today I set about riveting the leading edge to the left spar.  I completed both the riveting of the spar/rib intersections and the spar/skin intersection.  For the ribs I once again used the long straight rivet set lent to my by Mike Bullock.  I’ve now perfected my technique and the rivets came out flawless and went rather quickly.  The skin rivets are even easier with the pneumatic squeezer making quick work of these.  Don’t forget that the rivets that also intersect the ribs are a size bigger!

I started off today by finishing the installation of the stall warning assembly.  The instructions call for pop rivets, although others go with solid rivets.  Its not structural so I see no reason to not use pop rivets.

Here is an enlarged view of the hole for the stall warning vane.  I still need to do a little cleaning up with the file.  You can’t really tell unless you get really close, but it bothers me nonetheless.   

Here is the cable that will connect the stall warning back to the cockpit.  The instructions call for 8.5 feet.  I always leave extra in the event of changes or mistakes so I left 10 feet. 

Next up its time to rivet the leading edge of the left wing. 

Van’s instructions call for you to rivet the rear row of rivets with a squeezer and then work forward toward the leading edge which is contrary to how I normally rivet a skin. 

Here are the rivets I squeezed first. 

The leading edge still needs to be riveted to the spar. 

Next I worked on the scarf joint.  I decided I can’t quite finish it until the fuel tanks are attached, as I want to be able to do a final check against the flush skins. 

I regret not taking pictures during the assembly of the stall warning, however I have several pictures of the completed product.  In the last shop session, I countersunk and primed the required parts, so today was quick. I riveted the two nutplates and put the assembly together. A few notes for anyone assembling this part below. Van’s instructs you not to over torque this bolt.  The stall warning vane must move freely so you can’t over tighten.  Avoid over tightening the other two bolts as well. 

Also, don’t forget to ensure your grounding wire has a good contact point.  I used a little scotchbrite to remove the primer. 

I wanted to install the assembly in the leading edge today, but found that there is currently interference between the skin and the vane.  I will need to play around with the bracket alignment and possibly do a little more filing for clearance during the next session.