Category Archives: Garage Workshop

Hang in there…

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We took this evening to install the eye bolts and ratchet straps to hang the tail cone from the ceiling. I had a couple of different options on where to put it, and I’m glad this worked out as it keeps it high, safe, and out of the way of the lights. My wife was able to help me lift it up and we secured it with the straps. Pretty simple and now I have even more airplane parts hanging from the ceiling!

I also cleaned up the garage a bit and got organized for the next project of installing and prepping the empennage fiberglass tips. Time to get dusty. 20140708-234434-85474641.jpg

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Rudder is all closed up

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I spent tonight rolling the leading edges for the rudder. Didn’t I say to roll the edges before final assembly? Yes, I did. I’ll have to remember that next time! The process really isn’t too bad. I use duct tape and an aluminum pipe cut down to just longer than the section of skin (I have three different lengths that work well). Once I have it rolled, I use an edge roller to bend both skins inward. I find bending both vs just the top as the plans call for, helps the skins sit flatter once together. Putting them together the first time is the hard part, but is manageable for one person but easier with two. Once clecoed, final drill then uncleco to deburr. Then back together and finish off with the pop rivets.

Despite putting good bends and slight pressure on the rivet tool when setting them, I have a few that still show a space between the skins. I’m thinking about ordering some extra rivets to redo those few and see if I can get a better result. But, overall I’m happy with it.

One thing I continue to be proud of is keeping the shop clean. I replace tools after I use them and be sure everything is put up before calling it quits for the night. Not only does it keep the garage looking good, it keeps me organized and let’s me work a lot faster not having to sift through junk to find what I need.

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I love your dimples….

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Good thing too, because this project has a lot of them!  I finished deburring and dimpling the right elevator skin.  Deburring takes forever it seems and is made more difficult with the shiny skin.  I can see why folks leave the film on as long as possible (for scratch resistance as well).  I also buffed out a couple of spots of surface corrosion I had on the skins and a few scratches on the spars.  I’m using the Dupli-color self etching primer to spot prime those spots.  Without going off on a tangent, I’ve researched and read on priming til I’m cross eyed and I am choosing not to prime unless specified by the plans or a condition such as imperfections in the metal.

I ensured all the ribs are labeled and disassembled everything to prepare for riveting next.  The spar needed to be countersunk on certain holes to allow a flat surface for the trim hinge to mount, so I got to use a tool for the first time!  The countersink bit is really neat, but I expericenced some chatter on it so I may need to play with the speed, as it didn’t clean metal chips away quickly at 90 PSI.

 Finally, I picked up some inexpensive L brackets for shelving from Lowe’s and mounted them above my workbench to store the HS on.  It has been sitting on the floor and my lovely wife has been very vigilant to ensure nothing hits them as she parks about a foot and a half away every night!  Now they are safe and secure and most importantly out of the way until needed down the road.

I also organized the pegboard a bit more than pictured, hung up the parts bins and just straightened up the work space.  I’m finding it even more critical to keep the garage clean and tools in their places so I can work efficiently!

 

Garage storage

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Tonight I installed a new storage shelf that hangs from the ceiling and will clean up the floor while keeping parts and sub-assemblies safe. I got these from work on Friday and only put one up for now. They are good up to 250 lbs and the install is pretty simple once you are able to find a stud or joist. I confirmed tonight that stud finders are worthless.

I also picked up some ratchet straps and eye hooks to hang the horizontal stabilizer from the ceiling as well. We are lucky that we have almost three feet of room above the opened garage door and this will come in handy for future components.