October 2005 Archives

Each rivet must satisfy certain quality criteria. width and height measured with a purpose built guage. (that's why I'm smiling)!!

After making sure that the skin is evenly primed and dry, it's time to begin the riveting of the stiffeners.

Make sure that you can identify the appropriate stiffeners before you part cleco pror to riveting.

No turning back now! It would be a shame to restart but if I cock it up, I would. Key points: don't rush, check and check again it's the correct stiffener and position.

First time ever tried to use a HVLP spray gun. Jeremy was again on hand to show me the ropes.

It takes practice but I'm pleased with the result. No runs to speak of. The trick is to ensure each pass is an ON/OFF sort of affair, in other words, at the end of each run release the trigger and then, keeping the spray head directly ahead of the target area (not angulating beyond the area) move to new area and then again directly square above target, press trigger again and then keeping absolutely square move your spray gun across the new area.

This is the first component I've started to work on. My friend Jeremy (another RV8 builder) was my expert in residence having already built his empennage some time earlier. (that's his emp. hanging on the rear wall)

Don't worry David, just do it.....! You've got to start somewhere!!!!....Get on with it!. etc. etc.!!

Sage words of advice but I'm a chicken. It took my ages before I started to feel 'comfortable.

I had cut the stiffeners earlier having taken ages to measure them according to the plans. Then it's required that you shape them with a gentle angle and of course debur, radius, Drill the pilot holes. This kit is an earlier version #80697of the later prepunched & matched variants. This means that there's a lot more measuring and triple checking before the 'final cut' etc.

The stiffeners are now prepared for both sides of the rudder. The top skin having been backdrilled and clecoed to the skin earlier. That is a very scary moment, absolute concentration is essential if you don't want to delay your project awaiting replacement parts from Mr Van's.

You may just be able to make out the 'two' alignment lines from the forward spar. the black line is the spar edge and then the plans require an off set of 1/4 inch for the stiffner alignment.

The 'lower' skin is just about to have the stiffeners back drilled after double checking I've got each stiffner in it's correct location.