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)

Riveted Horizontal Stabilizer

Riveted the left side of the HS together. Riveted most of the right side.

Just have to wrap up the right side and then put in the rear spar. Although, I seem to be short one pop rivet for one of the ribs. I also need a no-hole yoke to get a couple of the rivets near the leading edge. Pricey though... That will have to wait until I am employed.

Time spent: 6 hours (102 total)

Finished the Vertical Stabilizer!

As it turns out, I didn't really need the single offset rivet set to get into that tight spot. I had a bucking bar I used in the tight area and put the factory head on the easy to reach side. It was a little awkward, but it worked. I'm sure I'll encounter much worse.

I finished the vertical stabilizer. The skin is riveted on and the part is ready to go (minus the fiberglass tip). Feels good to finish one subassembly!

Time spent: 4 hours (96 total)