2/25/2008
Tonight I started out by making the canopy hinge spacers. These are plastic wear blocks and aluminum bar to give the hinge some rub. I sort of followed the instructions on drilling the holes, but deviated somewhat. There's a lot of on the airplane, over to the drill press, and back sort of stuff. Some of which weren't all that necessary. It worked out fine though.
I used the drill press to make the first hole, then used the pre-punched holes in the 745 rib to drill the other. Once the hole was drilled to #12, I removed the plastic blocks, and drilled out the holes to #10.
The problem I'm faced with now, is locating the 1/4" hole in the panel ribs. I have them drilled in the plastic, but since I've already riveted the little 644 rib in place (and I went back thru the plans to see if they mention to NOT rivet the 644 rib in...they don't...), I can't get access to drill the hole using the plastic as a guide. The space between the 644 and 745 ribs where the spacers go, is too small for a 90 drill. I think I have this figured out with a template I made from some bar stock, but we'll see how well that works next time I work on the airplane.
I did get the 644 rib drilled for the #12 holes by clamping the 617 block to the 745 rib, and clamping a small piece of AL to simulate the skin.
I will use the little template I made for both sides so that they will be identical for the hinge attachment on both sides.
2.0 hours