New workshop, new table

Following the move to my new workshop, I went ahead and built an EAA Chapter 1000 standard table.  As per the suggestion of a fellow builder, I constructed the table top with a two inch overhang on each side, which will allow parts to be clamped to the table if necessary.  I was very pleased with the results, and the table has turned out to be a terrific addition to the workshop.  I like the table so much, I may build another one in the future if necessary.

Rear spar work

It's been a little while since my last post.  I moved my workshop recently, and also moved into a new home.  Building should return to a more normal schedule now though, and I'm excited to see some of the empennage parts coming together.

I finished rounding the HS609PP rear spar reinforcement bars, which turned out well.  I have included a before and after picture.  After both of the 609PPs were finished, I match drilled them to the HS603PP rear spars, and placed all of the hinge brackets.  

Before (left) and after shots of HS609PP rear spar reinforcement bars

Completed HS609PPs clecoed to the HS603PP rear spars following match drilling.

Work begins on actual airplane parts

I finished the airfoil practice project, and started working on the HS609PP rear spar reinforcement bars last night.  It took a while to figure out how to effectively use the Scotch-Brite wheel in the bench grinder, which many builders had said was the most efficient tool for this process.  I was worried that it would remove material too quickly, but it really doesn't.  I had an experienced builder look at the first 609PP today during lunch, and he said it looked good.  He gave me a few pointers that really helped me with the second reinforcement bar this evening.

I removed the second wheel from my bench grinder, which was getting in the way.  I also placed a piece of duct tape over the grinding platform, which prevents marks from being made on the surface of the work after one side has been polished.  These two items really helped me make some progress.  I need to make the 1/4" radius on each of the ends, slightly round the corners of one of the bars, and then I can begin clecoing and match drilling the 609PPs to the HS603PP rear spar channel.  I look forward to that part.  I'll include some photos of the 609PPs when they are finished.

More Practice

I finished the small practice piece last night, and it turned out much better than the one I made in the SportAir workshop.  It easy to see why so many people like the pneumatic squeezer - once it's set up, it is very easy to set rivets consistently.

I don't quite have the procedure down for adjusting the pressure on the rivet gun to produce good results yet.  The pressure was too high when I was back riveting, and I ended up having to feather the trigger very lightly to avoid completely smashing the shop heads.  Fortunately, the flush rivets all turned out pretty well.  I'll work on that more this weekend.

Practice

Yesterday I organized my workshop a little more, and worked on one of my practice kits from Vans.  The new tools from PlaneTools (Isham) are working well, although I still have much to test. When my tools were shipped, a few components were left out of my order, but a call to Isham resulted in the additional tools being shipped out right away - their customer service has been really great.  I gave the pneumatic squeezer a shot, and it created really nice dimples.  I'm going to use it to drive some rivets this evening.

I ordered my rivet gun (3x) and a back rivet plate from Cleaveland Aircraft Tool, as I liked the style of rivet gun they offered a bit better, and Isham did not carry a back rivet plate.  The Cleaveland website is one of the best among the major tool houses, and they are very good about providing information about your order.  As soon as my order was shipped (the same day it was placed), I received an email with order and tracking information, which was really nice to see.  I will definitely be ordering from these two companies in the future. 

    

Inventory

I finished the inventory this evening, and everything is present.  I also organized the workshop a bit more, preparing for my future tools delivery.  I'm going to build one EAA table - a project I'm anxious to start.  That will give me two good sized work surfaces, and a reasonable amount of storage on the shelf under the EAA table.   One table will be used to prepare parts (it will have the vise, bench grinder, and other tools), and the second will be used for component assembly.  I'll see how functional this arrangement is when I start working on the rear spar of the horizontal stab.  I may construct a jig for the empennage if space permits, although I know several builders who did not use one at all on the tail surfaces, and theirs turned out well due to the pre-punched components Vans now ships.  I've heard the jig does make riveting the assembly together a bit easier though.

I've been studying the empennage section of the preview plans a fair amount, and I believe I have a good understanding of the first steps I will need to make.  It takes a little practice to understand how everything is labeled on the plans, but I'm starting to feel comfortable with the process I'll be following.

Small empennage box contents

Vans does a great job of organizing everything

First kit arrives!

I picked up my empennage kit from Fedex on April 22, and I'm really looking forward to getting started.  If anyone at the Fedex office saw me taking pictures of the boxes in the parking lot, they probably thought I was a bit unusual. Both packages were in good condition - I loaded them up in the car and went straight to the office.  I was able to open the small box during lunch and go over the documentation that was included - inventory sheets, and some other miscellaneous paperwork.  Vans was very meticulous when they packed the various parts.  Everything was well organized and protected.  Woohoo - I have a part of an airplane to build!