June 07, 2007
Vertical Stabilizer
The tip rib, and the area where the ruler is clamped, are the 2 reference points we used to determine correct alignment. Used blocks of wood to keep everything flat and in line.
This is how I mark center lines on my flanges. Just keep the pen steady and move the piece across a flat surface...  like the table!
Ribs required a little tweaking to get the perfect fit, but all was well except drilling the bottom rib.  Used clamps to hold a flat piece of angle even with the flanges so I would have correct lateral distance.  I could not lay the bottom rib completely flat on the table because I already riveted the fwrd attach plate on, which is wider than the flanges... causing an uneven surface.  Long story short, I had to hang the assembly off the bench so the rest of it could be flat.
Close up of the clamps... again, I took way too many pics!
Bottom rib isssue. Could not get a drill (even my angle drill) into the inner most holes to attach the rib. I ended up drilling the outter holes, clecod, then sprayed primer into the inner holes to mark their locations.
Close up of what I did. Got the primer on a little thick!  I know a lot of you guys are probably thinking, " this guy is an idiot!" Well.. whatever, it worked.
Took the rib off and drilled #40's  (using the primer as a guide for hole location). Once cleco'd back on, I was able to drill from the bottom, using a long #30.
Did the debur, clean, & prime (DCP) routine and riveted the ribs on, with the exception of the tip rib.  You know..  I need to install the fiberglass tips later.
It was still early in the day, so we went ahead and started with the skins. Lined up the trailing edge and drilled..  starting in the center working lateral, then forward and lateral.  Started with the right side first and let the other side hang over the table.
Since everything lined up just right, and instead of messing around with it, I just went ahead an riveted. Of course after DCP'ing.
This side was a bit more challenging, being under tension, had to bust out the bricks on this one.
Snap shot before closing it up.
Done for the day!  Did not rivet the trailing edge of the Left side yet, this is where the hinge goes, and I was getting tired at this point. A lot accomplished today.