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Three Hundred Hours and a piece COMPLETELY COVERED... 09/27/03 - Today, I hit the magic three hundred hour mark and while there was little fanfare (except in my own head) I feel it's quite an accomplishment. I also completed my FIRST PIECE (as far as covering is concerned) by finishing the rib rivet and taping for the right side horizontal stabilizer (not an insignificant accomplishment either, trust me). I started the day by SEARCHING FOR A HALF HOUR for the covering strips which are .020" lexan strips used as a sort of washer under the #40 rivets, which in turn are used in place of rib stitching on the Coyote project. Atop the lexan strips and #40 rivets and around the perimeter of the control surface, we have to install a 2" pinked-edge tape. I know this sounds like a simple process and it probably will seem so THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, but I spent the better part of five hours doing the first surface today. I'm hoping I'll gain a little efficiency over the next four pieces because at this rate, I'll be ready to paint and assemble the kit sometime NEXT FALL. ;^) Just kidding (a little) but it's a somewhat tedious process that must be done properly because we don't want to have to do this again for MANY YEARS! I started today (after finding the covering strips, of course) by gluing the strips over the top of the compression ribs in the stabilizers (I did this process to both, but only taped one) then drilled and riveted the fabric to the ribs. Following are a few process photos of the tasks, starting with the rivets in place :
and pulled:
Opposite side:
Here, I'm beginning the taping process. I found out that I had the initial bed of adhesive too wide (I went 2" because the tape is 2", but of course, it shrinks 25% so I should have READ THE MANUAL a little more closely, because it plainly says to use a 1-1/2" wide brush) and it may or may not show, although it is the bottom surface and since my kit is a taildragger, you'll have to get down on your knees to see it.
I think the top side looks pretty good, don't you?
At this point, I would have thought it finished, but the manual says to go over the tapes again with adhesive and then iron again. I confirmed this with Ed (I owe Ed another pizza, I think) and then started over with the adhesive:
And FINISHED:
Two things Ed told me today that will help speed the process are that I can use double sided tape to hold the covering strips in place (the manual says we're to glue them down and by the time I get to taping, my adhesive is setting up) and that I can use my hot knife (with a round point attached) to make the holes in the strips (the manual says to drill, so I did and the debris makes quite a mess). The other big thing (to me, at least) that I learned today was to keep the adhesive to 75% of the tape width and to make sure and keep the tapes straight. Good lessons that will help make the next piece that much easier, I'm sure. Thanks again Ed! More updates soon... |
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Last Update: 09/27/2003 |
