I even think they are too deep to dress out with the countersink bit.

I'll keep pressing forward

After waiting a year and a half, I ordered and finally received my wing kit. I was countersinking the fuel tank attach holes (not the nut plates) for the #8 screws, using Vans method. Two of them so far (out of thirty) are too deep and looked boogered up. I'm guessing there is nothing I can do about...

Just wanted to thank you all for your input. Everything is done for now. There is a LONG way to go in this project. Your insights are appreciated,


Have a GREAT NEW YEAR!!!


Joe

Here are the photos I hope: http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rwZB4vXM1Tw/SVwGxKIey6I/AAAAAAAAAHw/1I_qraoX4GE/s144/Empannage%20together.jpg Overall Shot http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rwZB4vXM1Tw/SVwIggw_WrI/AAAAAAAAAIg/eCVTRN38spY/s144/100_0177.jpg Look at the left skin http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rwZB4vXM1Tw/SVwIhw-w4kI/AAA...

Well, you guys are right. The only varible in my epic story was the use of duct tape. It appears as though it is too thick and allowed the rivet some wiggle room. I called Vans, I measured the height above the skin with a feeler gauge. They are .005 above the skin. All of the rivets appear tight. Th...

Hello all!! As I was admiring my handiwork since I am almost finished with my empannage (so I thought) I noticed the manufactured heads on some of the rivets that attach the skins to the stiffeners on my left elevator are not flat and appear to be rounded. The stiffeners were flush to the skin and t...

Mike,
Thanks for the clarification!!
Have a great Christmas

I was finishing up (almost) my Left elevator and got to wondering. When did you guys do the rough finishing on the left counterbalance weight? The plans show the right weight being trimmed, but not the left. Do I or should I go ahead and trim the left one the same way? If I do not, how would I get t...

Well I did take the tail to several other builders. Both say it looks good and that I was suffering from new builder perfectionitis. The tail is straight although several of the manufactured heads are elevated. They told me to try a back rivet plate and turn down the pressure with a flat set and try...

My shop heads are flat, however my manufactured heads are not. Maybe I did drive the rivets enough with the back rivet plate to lock everything in. When I run my finger down the manufactured head I feel bumps. I think I will drill out all of the rivets and try again. Any thoughts? Joe

After exhaustive research, checking many websites, I bit the bullet and attempted the rudder TE. I just dont know. The rudder appears straight enough, however some of my shop heads are not flush. Contemplating either removing the rivets and trying again or ordering another rudder. After prosealing a...

I hope you all can relate. My 8 yearold son and I were dimpling the right rudder skin, along the line of holes that attach to the spar. We were making great progress (only three holes to go) until......... he got a little ahead of himself and dimpled a extra hole at the edge of the actual hole. Shor...

I think I will give it a try, my proseal came in yesterday. I think I will apply a thin coat to the stiffener and rivet them while it's wet. I will apply a light coat of primer to the stiffeners, but will not plan to prime the skin below the stiffener. I'll let you know how it works.

Hey gang, I have another question for your great minds. I've heard of cracks developing in the rudder near the stiffiners. To prevent cracks, I've heard of folks using proseal on the stiffeners prior to riviting and rtv near the rudder trailing edge similiar to the elevator. What are your thought? I...

Thanks for all of your guidance. Amazing how much better I became with the rivet gun after the first few rivets. The nose rib (HS 408 I think) went ok, just a little slow to get started. Once I got the hang of it, the L skin went on smooth. I started the right side, and finished the nise rib in only...

Thanks for the ideas. As far as the pictures go, I already removed the rivets. The problem I had on one was that it was bending over. The other was that I did not hold the bucking bar correctly. I do have a tech advisor that looked at my rear and front HS spar. So far so good. The problem came when ...

I'm sure you all have been there. Here I am, ready to actually rivet my nose rib to the HS skin. I can not pull the trigger.....too nervous. I read and re read the posts. I finally attempt to drive several rivetts, and fail. Both needed to be removed. Any ideas to help me get over the hump? I have a...

Sounds great to me. I'd rather keep movin forward than stop to build a jig. Thanks for the guidance. I'm about ready to start riveting the HS. Maybe before I start riveting, I'll start the VS too. So when my tech advisor comes by, he can inspect both.

Joe

Bill,
Thank-you for your reply. I feel better knowing that it is a common issue. The spec is there for a reason, so if I meet it, then I'm good to go. Appreciate it,

Joe

I was reviewing the difficulty people were having with the HS 710 hole. When I did mine, I came out with 2D spacing (1/4 inch) which I measured from the center of the hole to the edge. I noticed that I had no room to spare at all. Is that common? I would feel better if I had more spacing. Since I me...