Got my rivet set and AD5 rivets from spruce and replaced the rivets I removed after screwing up last week. See Finished riveting everything to the rear spars… almost.
Dimpled all the ribs in both wings…
…and the J-channel stiffeners
| Today’s Time (hours): | 1.5 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 75.5 |
| Total Time (hours): | 286.5 |
Riveted the rear spars to the wing ribs. I tried to use the squeezer but it was cumbersome with several different rivet sizes and with the flanges in the way. So I switched to the gun. This was much easier.
And of course, no section is complete without a few mistakes. I used the wrong size rivets in ribs behind the doublers. I used 4-4’s and needed 4-5’s the shop heads were too thin to be acceptable. So I drilled them all out. Nine rivets in total. I couldn’t punch the rivets out because there was nothing to back them up when I hit them with the punch. So I had to drill them all the way out. I was super careful but the holes are enlarged ever so slightly. If this wasn’t a critical structure, I’d probably just re-rivet it but this area carries the load from the ailerons and flaps. So I’ll go with a larger river to ensure structural soundness. I order some -5 rivets, a #21 drill, and a 5/32″ rivet set from Spruce.
I also put in an order with Van’s for some fuel tank sealant.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 2.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 69.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 280.0 |
Did some flying with Jared today in his RV-14A. Awesome day dancing around some scattered clouds and some fun aerobatics. Thanks for the great flight today, Jared! The aerobatic training is definitely paying off. Sorry no pics. I was having too much fun!
Meanwhile back at the airplane factory…
Received the replacement parts from vans and did the little bit of fabrication necessary to prepare the doublers and attach brackets.
Deburred and primed the new parts with SEM rattle can primer. Riveted the attach brackets to the hinge.
Riveted the hinge and doublers to the right rear spar.
The mistake cost me $45 in parts and an hour and a half of build time.
Got my new 3/8″ reamer from McMaster Carr. Used it in the drill press to precisely size the rear spar attach holes. The twisted flutes cut like butter.
Clecoed the rear spars to the wing ribs. Ready to rivet tomorrow.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 2.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 67.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 278.0 |
Had an awesome time at Sun N Fun with Jared, Wes, and the Family. That’s me ordering an engine and prop in Van’s tent! And that’s me and Remy sitting in the RV14 at Van’s booth. Suddenly this is getting more real.
We got back from Lakeland this morning and I got right back to work. No rest for the wicked! Primed the rear spars and all of their associated parts.
Clecoed the aileron hinges together.
…and riveted them.
Clecoed the spars together.
Started riveting the doublers to the spars with the squeezer.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 3.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 63.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 274.0 |
Final drilled #30 the spar, doublers, rib flanges, and aileron hinge attachments.
Machine countersunk the flange holes where they match up to the doublers.
Machine countersunk the doubler plates. Also drilled the attach hole to 11/32 after this photo was taken. I need to pick up a 3/8″ reamer to finish the attach holes in the fork and doubler once they’re matched up and riveted to the spar.
Dimpled all the #40 holes in both flanges of the rear spar.
Everything is ready to prime and assemble when I get back from Sun n Fun next week. Pretty happy with this weeks progress.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 1.0 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 60.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 271.0 |
Peeled the vinyl from all the parts. Did the minor cutting and fabrication called out in the plans. Cleaned up and deburred all the edges with file, deburring tool, scotch brite wheel, and sandpaper. Scuffed everything with a scotch brite pad.
Assembled and final drilled the aileron hinges. The inboard hinges are from the service bulletin. I’m surprised they haven’t updated the plans yet. Had to follow the SB instructions.
Clamped the spar doublers to the spars and match drilled them.
Drilled out the aileron pushrod hole in the inboard doublers and cleaned them up with the Dremel.
Clecoed the right rear spar together with the wing assembly.
| Today’s Time (hours): | 4.5 |
| Wing Time (hours): | 59.0 |
| Total Time (hours): | 270.0 |
Ron's RV-14A Build Log 