February 22, 2007



Today I set out to complete the skinning of the H-stab.  Here's the bottom side clecoed to #40.


The skin is aligned with the rear spar and the tip rib.  This took some twisting to get everything squared up.  Here I've drilled all of the open holes to #40.



All the open holes drilled to #30 and clecoed.  



The #40 clecos removed from the left side - this gives me enough for the right and then I can drill the rest of the holes to #30.



The RH side open holes drilled to #40.



The clecoes removed from the LH side for deburring.



The holes in the ribs are right down the center line.  Once the frame was squared up with the skins everything just fell into place.



There's no line here, but the holes are neatly centered down the rib.



Some interior shots for posterity.  



The rivet lines are nice and straight - good edge distances.



The outer rib.  Only the front two rivets are installed so that I can debur the holes in the rear spar when I drill it for the elevator hinge.



The tip rib - the skin is held on with clecos here.  It is only riveted to the front and rear spars.



Deburred and ready for riveting.  I knocked off the big chips with a gloved hand and then used 220grit sandpaper to remove the burrs on the holes - quick and effective.  The point is to remove material that would keep the parts from mating correctly and remove any stress risers - sand paper does that quite readly without making the holes any larger.



The skin clecoed back into place and rivets put into the open holes.  I didn't rivet the tip rib so that I still have options for attaching the fiberglass tips.



The masking tape is so I don't put rivets too close to the tip rib.



Partially riveted.  I've said it before, the air riveter is CHEATING!!! :)



Clecos removed and exchanged for rivets.



Riveted.  This is what I really love about the pulled rivet structure - 23 minutes to rivet the LH lower skin (after deburring and clecoing).  Try doing that with soild rivets.



The holes in the RH lower frame drilled to #40.



The non #40 clecoed holes drilled and clecoed at #30.



The #40 clecos removed and the remaining holes drilled to #30.



Opening the RH side for deubrring.



Deburred and reclecoed.  I deburred this side just like the LH side.



Partially riveted - all except the tip rib and where the cleoes are.



The rest of the #30 clecos (or is it clecoes?) removed and repaced with rivets.



Riveted, except for the tip ribs and where the elevator hinges attach.



The top side - spiffy.



The bottom side.  The flash makes the deformation around some of the rivets in the front spar look much worse than it looks in person.  It can be seen, but its not bad.  1 component down - plenty more to go :)





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