Category: Fuselage

Drilling mounting holes for canopy latch strike plate. I also drilled and countersunk the holes for the longeron doubler and then riveted it to the left longeron. One I was done with the left longeron I created a list of fasteners that I need for the forward fuselage side panels.

I started by cutting out the latch from a piece of 3/16 inch phenolic. Next I layed out the slot and setup my drill press to drill a series of holes. Once the holes were drilled I used my coping saw to create the slot. Sand paper on a tongue depressor was used to open the slot up until I could get my file in. I finished the slot using the file and then marked and drilled the pilot holes.

I cut strips from 0.060" thick 6061-T6 Aluminum to be used for fuel tank straps.

I cut the ends of the strap then cleaned up the edges with a file. Next I marked and drilled the holes. Finally, I sanded and scotchbrited the strap.

Finished the work on the forward fuel tank strap.

I cleaned up the edge of the strap and cut the radius on one end.

These were very simple rectangular spacer. I used my fence and ripped the two pieces to the correct width then cut them to length. A quick file and sanding of the edges finished the parts

Again, these were simple parts that were layed out, cut, filed and sanded and the marked and drilled.

These were fairly simple gussets. I measured and layed these out directly on the aluminum. Cut the parts on the band saw and filed and sanded the edges. Marked and drilled the pilot holes and then applied scotch brite.