Tuesday, May 21, 2013

More De-Burring

Had to delay the initial setup of the wing spar and ribs.   When going through my parts I noticed that the de-burring needed some touch ups.  So I spent a couple of hours refining the de-burring that I initially did.  I used a green 3M Pad to smooth out the edges of all ribs - nose and main.


These are the tools I use for final preparation of the parts.

Hammer for banging angles to 90 degrees
Fluting Plier to straighten parts after whacking them to 90 degrees
Deburring tool for edges and holes
Sheet Metal Seam tool for bending and adjusting flanges
and a green 3M pad for final smoothing

I think progress is being made.  I have a LOT of parts - need to start putting them together now!

Thanks for checking in - 

Greg.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Nose Ribs

Finished de-burring and final adjustments on the nose ribs tonight.  Had a slight delay because I had to get a fluting pliers from Aircraft Spruce.  Had to do a bit more fluting on the ribs to keep them straight.  All the nose ribs and half of the main wing ribs are ready for installation.  Also got my order of CCP-42 rivets from Wicks which are used to attach the ribs to the wing spar.



Need to clear off the table and start setting up the ribs on the spar.  Tomorrow night I'll start that task.

Thanks for checking in -

Greg.



Saturday, May 11, 2013

Center Spar Complete

The center spar is ready.  Main spars are ready too.  Spent some time getting the work table cleaned off and ready for wing layup.  Here is the center spar:


This evening I plan to set up the left spar and start clamping ribs to get final alignment and make them ready for drilling and rivets.  Still waiting for my rivets to ship.  Not sure what the delay is.  I will probably update with the rib/spar assembly later today.


Preparation for Wing Construction - 3 hours - Wing Rib Alignment

Back at it today.  Couple of hours doing some important preparation for wing construction.  Including fabrication of wing rib placement/alignment tools.   Per plans I constructed a nose rib and main rib alignment tool.  First the nose or leading edge rib tool was fashioned from some scrap 1/8" aluminium bar that I had.  Then shaped and drilled to match alignment holes in the leading edge ribs.

This is the leading edge rib alignment tool.  It will be used to set the leading edge ribs the proper and uniform distance from the spar attachment angles or intercostal angles.


This is the rib alignment (leading edge) tool on top of a rib showing how the alignment is set. 


This is the main rib alignment tool.  Again fashioned from some scrap 1/8" aluminum bar.


Tomorrow I will start laying up and clamping the ribs to the right main spar in preparation for riveting and continued wing construction.

Thanks for checking in  -


Greg.

Friday, May 3, 2013

No - I Have Not Given Up

Just a lull in the work process.  I spent a lot of time de-burring all the ribs and related parts.  I am waiting on my rivet order and some other things that I ordered.  Also waiting for my 8' 3"x3" steel angle to put on the workbench.  That will be used for shaping and bending the ailerons and other pieces.  I am ready to start laying out the wings.  All the ribs are done.  Including the center section ribs and floor supports.  I need the rivets and a fluting plier that is on order.  So - once all that comes in I will start the wing assembly.  May starting with the center section.

I will post some pics of the completed parts that are waiting assembly.

Thanks for checking in!

Greg.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Wing Parts Prep - 4hrs

This work session included about six total hours.  Four hours were spent shaping and finishing (deburring and surface prep) of the wing ribs.  Both the nose ribs and the main ribs.  I used a home-made deburring tool and some 3M green pads to smooth out the edges on all parts.  I have ordered this deburring tool from Aircraft Spruce and it should speed things up for the next round.  Also did the .040 inboard most ribs.  I also spent about two hours straightening up the workshop and moving my large tools.  I moved the drill press and bench grinder off the assembly table and onto a separate table.  This is in preparation for the wing layup.  I should start that later this week.  That task will include setting up the wing spars and attaching the ribs to the intercostal angles.  First with clamps and then drilled for rivets per the plans.

Rib finishing - deburring and adjusting flanges to 90 degrees

I had to drill out the rib form for the lightening holes.  Here I am using the fly-cutter with my drill press.

Should start the wing assembly later this week.

Thanks for checking in.

Greg.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Bulkhead 12 and Tail Spring Support

Did some fabrication of the bulkhead 12 tail spring support today. About 2hrs on this piece.


It came out pretty good. Here's a pic. 
Going to make the other reinforcements tonight.