Lindy
2/10/2007
Long entry, and a BUNCH of pics today! I spent a LOT of time in the shop today, but don't feel I have much to show for it. Oh well, it WAS a good day. Cold outside, the shop was a comfortable 52 degrees, and I got to spend all afternoon and evening out there. Today began with the F-704M web stiffeners. I couldn't find the 3/4x3/4 angle that was supposed to be used, so I used some 1x1, and cut down one side to 3/4" and left the other side 1". It is the correct thickness, it just has an extra 1/4" on the web side. No biggie.
I drilled these to the spar, then drilled the stiffeners for platenuts. Here you can see the center line thru the holes.
I took a K1000-08 platenut and drilled out the threads so that a #19 cleco would go in there for better alignment. With the threads in there, all you can get in is a #30 cleco, and it's just sloppy.
I then countersunk for the rivets, and riveted the platenuts on.
Next I set up the c-frame for riveting the cover support ribs. I used the pneu squeezer for the top and bottom rivets on the center ribs, but that's all the farther it would reach. The c-frame method is pretty sweet! I actually really enjoyed setting these rivets this way!
Here's a couple of shots of the front and back of the forward section.
At this point, I had to take a necessary break because about a half hour ago, my propane tank ran out. Off to get an exchange! When I returned, I kept right on going with the c-frame riveting, and attached the left/right/forward/aft side brackets. I waited on these to make maneuvering the spar sections easier as long as I could.
I did have to drill out one rivet because about halfway in to this, I decided to try a SnapSoc on the base set of the c-frame. BAD IDEA! The SnapSoc didn't go all the way down on the shaft (unbeknownst to me), and the 470 head was sticking up. Drilled it, replaced it, move on. Next, I started to rivet on the sheer bars, but...
...I found that the rivet callout of 426 4-14 is awfully short here. I set two, and drilled them right back out because the shop head was TINY! Looked like a perfectly set 3, but with NO height to it. I'm gonna order some -16's, and attach these later. Sorry, forgot to take a pic of it...
Snap bushings were next. Easy enough, but four of them need to be trimmed a bit to fit next to the 704C/D's.
One of the last things to do before the center section bulkhead is set aside, is to make the spacers that go between the two halves.
Here's a couple shots of the 704 bulkhead clamped together. They won't be this close to one another when installed, but I clamped them together anyway.
On to the 705 bulkhead for now. I'll rivet those sheer bars later this week when the longer rivets come in. I didn't get very far with the 705 because some internet research is needed. I need to see some pics to see if I'm on the right track with spacing before I drill. I started by cutting the 705B bar to the proper length, then marked the center line on the rear side.
Then I made the 705H spacers out of the .250 bar stock supplied. The direction of grain is IMPORTANT here. When the plan drawings make mention of it, better pay attention and DO it.
Next I clamped the bottom portion of the 705 bulkhead together. Realized after I clamped it, that I have some additional cutting to do on the bent piece. I'll save it for tomorrow.
7.5 hours