Stalled

It's been a year and a half since I've posted a blog entry. Amazing how life takes off when you have kids. Not much progress to report. Somewhere between now and my last blog post I had riveted the right elevator, but the aluminum in my basement hasnt' moved for quite some time. I scored some shelves from a hardware store that had gone under. Once I get those assembled I'll have a place to store the completed tail components.

Today, sitting at my desk watching the planes make their approach into Hanscom, I am nostalgic for getting behind the yoke or to crank up the compressor and pound some rivets.

Riveting the Rudder

Been a while since I've made any progress on the project. The new job has kept me busy. I managed to find a couple hours tonight to work on the rudder.

I finished riveting the counterbalance skin to the rib. I attached the counterweight. Then I clecoed the skins to the structure. Could not do any more riveting because Josh was sleeping.

Time spent: 2 hours (115 Total)

Riveting Rudder Skeleton

Riveted together some of the rudder understructure. Began riveting the counterbalance skin to the counterbalance rib.

Time Spent: 4 hours (113 Total)

Finished Priming Rudder and Elevators

Long day. Prep, layed out parts, alumiprep, alodine, AZKO, packed up and cleaned up. Parts are back in the basement and cars are back in the garage. There were nearly 100 parts primed today. I don't think I'd want to do more than that in a single batch. Other than letting them dry before AZKO, it kept me pretty busy all day. Good news is this is the last time I have to prime until I get to the wings. On to riveting the rudder and elevators!

Time spent: 6 hours (109 Total)

Priming

It's my last day of freedom before I start a new job. If I don't prime the rest of my tail feathers now it will not get done before the weather turns frigid. Time for an all day primer fest!

Just One Pop Rivet

Received a few LP4-3 pop rivets from bobdobbs. Thanks Bob, that was fast! I came in late tonight so all I did was pull that last rivet. Ready to attach the rear spar.

More horizontal stabilizer work

Riveted more of the horizontal stabilizer.

Unfortunately I am short one LP4-3 pop rivet so I cannot yet attach the rear spar and finish the part. I put out a request to VAF for someone local with these rivets. Thankfully someone is going to mail me a couple and get me going again. Just another example of how great the RV community is!

Time spent: 1 hour (103 total)