Bending the trailing edge is a bit unnerving the first time you do it. You've put in a significant amount of time into the stiffeners and skin at this point, and the last thing you want to do is mess it all up. I constructed a bending brake from a set of 2x8s connected at the back with evenly spaced door hinges. I clamped the brake to the table top, and placed a 1/8" dowel in the trailing edge to prevent over bending. It's surprising how much force it takes to complete the bend. I made the first bend with the trailing edge close to the hinges, then slowly moved it out on following bends. Soon, the skin was open just enough to sit on top of the spar when the skeleton is placed in the skin. This method worked well.
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| Bending trailing edge |
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| Bend complete - straight edge sits flush to point where radius begins |
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| Just a few rivets left, and the right elevator will be finished |
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| Right elevator complete - yeah baby! |
