4/2/2007
Well, I went a little picture crazy tonight, so this is gonna be a long entry...
Tonight was really sweet! I didn't think I'd get to the point of joining the center section and tailcone, but with Brit's help, we got 'er done!! Before I started working tonight, my dad came over to help me reposition the stand we built yesterday. I had to cut off the longer leg I put on it, and remove one of the two by four blocks in order to clamp it in the middle of the table.
I took that block that I removed and slipped it in place in front of the clamp to help avoid any side to side sway.
Here's the new position of the tailcone and center section. This allows plenty of room for the longerons and the side skins to be installed. These two pieces are not yet joined at this point.
Okay, on to building...First I marked the ends of the longerons for cutting the notch for the 711 bars to slide in to. The plans call for 7/16" spacing, so I did that, marked it, and started by drilling a 5/32 pilot hole followed by a 3/16 hole. Then I used the Dremel with a cutoff wheel to slice out the notch.
I repeated that for the other one, and then sanded the notches nice and smooth. I then set the longerons next to the fuselage to position them for fitting. I did all this myself, and it really was not a big deal. Joining the two sections however, would be difficult for one person.
I removed enough cleco's so I could move the skin enough to get the longerons in, and then I got up inside the tailcone and slipped the longeron in the slots.
Here's where those notches come in to play. Looks like I will have some very minor filing to do to keep the aft side from rubbing.
I thought that's where I would stop for the evening, but Brit hadn't pulled in the driveway yet from doggie class, so I removed the baggage skins. This is pretty much essential to get the two halves positioned properly. Otherwise, you simply can't see the joint. When she did get home, I asked her to help to get the two sections joined, and she agreed!! I don't ask for help all that much from her, so I really enjoy these times that we work together on this. She got inside the canoe and pulled on the ribs, while I wiggled the tailcone in to position. Worked great!
Way to go Brit!! Here's a shot of them joined together from the rear.
The baggage ribs need to be cleco'd at this point as well.
Here's something really strange...It looks like I actually bent these things accurately!! The forward bend matches perfectly with the 704 bulkhead! Imagine that!
And here's a fun shot...just for the fun of it. Told you I was picture happy tonight!
All this was great, but the sad part is, it all has to come apart again after it gets drilled. Then we get to join them again...with dimples in the way. Fun.
2.25 hours