I thought I would get my update posted before the holidays. The skins have been riveted to the lower longeron between former # 2 and former #4.. Vertical formers 2, 3 & 4 have been riveted halfway up to the top. The vertical channels and the crossties are riveted. The seatbelt mounts are riveted and the aft shear web it drilled out and clecoed in place. The bottom skin has been installed, drilled & clecoed nearly to death. Fits like a glove, is presently single. Both turtle-deck skins are drilled out to the longerons and turtle-deck spine. Turtle deck formers 2, 3 & 4 are pilot drilled to skins and lower formers. The tail-cone was originally supported by a table at each end. Each table is rated to 1,000 lbs. so I rearranged the the hanger so the tail-cone has a single table in the center for support. This provides easy access to both ends as I build.
I plopped the horizontal and vertical stabs on it for an inspirational (to me at least) photo.
With the exception of Golden Retrievers, The weather isn’t fit man or beast today. Consequently, I get to torture all y’all (double plural) with an update.
I ordered the tailwheel mount from Sonex, expected delivery 2 to 4 weeks.
I drilled out the holes to mount the turtle deck (TD) to the lower fuselage and TD spine. Speaking of the spine, I picked up a tool from AS.
The purpose is to generate a small bend near the edge of a skin to make a tighter fit on overlapping skin joints. Prefect for the overlapping skins on top of the TD.
TD formers #1 & #5 are waiting for installation. TD removed for deburring.
With the TD removed, I installed the Shoulder Harness’ .
Items remaining:
Running power and signal lines for the magnetometer.
I plan in installing the elevator push rod supports when I install the push rod. It is a long object and very small position variances can cause alignment issues.
Elevator trim cable. Yup, I’m going old school on the elevator trim.
Plan going forward. (for now)
Inspect the tub and TD, create a tick list and address any issues.
Order parts for the trim cable.
Figure out what I need and order as necessary for the magnetometer wiring.
Shift focus to assembling the fwd. fuselage side panels. All the parts are prepped and ready for assembly.
It is very easy to make a wavey bend with that tool. I was able to make it work after some practice. Seems I always had plenty of scrap available
Forget about holding the tool with one hand and running the tool down the edge while whistling. You have to keep the imaginary line through the center of the wheels exactly perpendicular to the material while bending to avoid a wavey edge.
Clamp the material to be creased some distance (8”?) from the edge. Hold the tool with both hands, thumbs hooked over the top, to help keep the wheels perfectly “up and down”. After putting the tool in place on the material, rather than trying to tilt the tool, lift upwards while holding the tool in place and sidestep along the length of the bend.
A long explanation, but it’s not near as easy as it looks.
I had the same experience, Bryan - I wanted to love the tool and how it looked. Instead I put it away and decided discretion is the better part of valor.
I have a different version of the edge rolling tool - mine has rollers welded to the end of a vise grip like clamp. It too had a learning curve, but not too bad. So far I’ve used it on the wing leading edge skins where they overlap the wing aft skins - turned out pretty nice. And used on the circle inspection plates on the wings - going around that little circle with the tool was pretty tough though.
