A blog documenting the adventure of building a kit plane
After attaching the pushrod to my recently-completed rear torque tube assembly, I continued on with next steps on the fuselage. It looked like it was safe to install some of the rear floor skins, so I pulled those off the parts shelf. I’ve already riveted in the vertical close-out skins, …
I decided to modify how the rear/short elevator torque tube is held in place on the floor ribs. After spending hours in previous weeks fiddling with the floor ribs, I just couldn’t find a fit that allowed the tube to turn smoothly. The floor ribs that support the torque tube …
I really, really dislike the plastic bushings used for the elevator torque tubes, so I decided to design a better way to support the tube. I found a thin section (aka Thinex) ball bearing that fits perfectly over the 1” aluminum tube, and has a small overall diameter that will …
(Fuselage manual pg E9) I decided that now was the right time to pin down the close-out ribs that go above the torque tubes. Next step is to install the pushrod linkages, which would block access to the rivets that need to go into the ribs, making it much more …
Among other things, this past weekend I came up with a tool to dimple the holes where I intend to install flush rivets. I received my supply of AK41H countersunk rivets from SW Anderson Co, and performed some tests on a scrap piece to ensure I would be happy with …
My finishing kit has arrived! It contains a lot of fiberglass pieces that I don’t really need right now, but it does also include all the pushrods for the elevator and aileron controls that I need now while I’m building the fuselage. After this one, I have three more kits …
Now that fall has arrived, I have fewer opportunities to prime parts outside, especially during the week, so I occasionally need to prime a part inside my garage. I decided to update my paint booth a bit, adding a suction fan and a filter to control the dust and fumes. …
I’m trying to be mindful of which holes to rivet and which holes to leave open as I go through assembly of the fuselage. I’ve gotten to a point where the manual is getting more and more confusing to follow, while various builder blogs I refer to recommend a different …
Last winter my garage was far too cold to work in, especially during January and February, and the garage doors were too leaky to justify heating the space, which is about 500 sq ft. For years I had wanted to replace the ugly contractor-grade particleboard doors the house came with, …
I prepped a bunch of side channels so that I could start attaching the side skins and firewall. I wanted to at least test fit the side skins (per suggestion from Simon K., who has already finished building his Sling 4) – but then take them off as Ive been …
