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ProSealing the tanks
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 7:12 pm
by captain_john
I am off like a herd of turtles! I have finally mustered up enough confidence in myself to attack the first bit of ProSealing solo, without the help of Wicked Stick! Thanks, Dave!
I started on the root rib support bracket. The hardest part for me was fiddling around with the aluminum and getting it to fit along with the AN fitting and anti-rotation bracket. I made up my own design when it came to the anti-rotation bracket. I like it!
How's it look?

CJ
ProSealing the tanks
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:12 pm
by Spike
Messy!!
How's it look?
Submitted via email
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:14 pm
by captain_john
I must be doing SOMETHING wrong.
Tonight I installed my fuel drain, inboard rib doubler plate and sealed the tooling hole in the outboard rib.
(BTW, the -6 rivet in that hole is a REALLY slick way of doing business!)
I only went through 2 pairs of gloves and didn't get ANY ProSeal on me!
Now, when George Orndoff does the episode on ProSeal, he is wearing a bunny suit and takes it to the enth degree about how messy it is. It really ain't that bad, but then again... I have yet to start the ribs rivets!
How much more difficult can those be? Anyone???

CJ
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:17 pm
by 728GD
Oh, it can be plenty messy, but hey that's just the nature of the beast. Don't skimp on the ProSeal trying to keep everything clean and neat. No one will ever see the inside of your tanks anyway. I on the other hand I tried to be real neat and clean by running beads of ProSeal like caulking a window. I now have a small annoying leak on the inboard of one of my tanks. I'm going to try and patch it from the outside, but I'm doubtful it's going to work. So lob the stuff on, go ahead and make a mess, have ProSeal squeezing out of every nook and cranny. Just keep a can of white gas around and toss your clecos in to soak. Put on as may gloves as you can and still have feelings in our fingers. Have a blast and make it a game. That way you will only have to do it once and will not have to pull a tank later on.
The only other tips, scuff up the aluminum real good so the ProSeal has something to adhere to and buy a bunch of Latex gloves that are not powdered. You don't want anything getting on the aluminum after you scuff it up and wipe it dry with MEK. The powder on some of the gloves will be a barrier for the ProSeal to "stick" to the aluminum. Trust me, you only want to do this ONCE!!
Dale
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:51 am
by captain_john
Thanks for the tips, Dale!
Yah, it really ain't THAT bad. No doubt, I would rather be wiring the panel. Being a wireman by trade, that ought to go well.
There is a feeling of completion when you are wiping away the mess from the pretty side. You can't wait to see those pretty rivets!

CJ
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:51 pm
by captain_john
It's not ProSeal, but my right tank will have a standard pickup tube.
I whipped that up today.
It came out pretty good, I think.
I know Van sells 'em all fabbed up, but this really was pretty easy with the Dremel abrasive wheel!
How's it look?
BTW, who says these slots are sufficient enough for fuel flow anyways?

CJ
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 6:54 pm
by tshort
looks good
Where'd ya get the red (I assume soft) things for the jaws in your vise?
Thomas
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:09 pm
by captain_john
Sears Craftsman!
They were on the clearance table and I just grabbed 'em!
Great for airplane building!
They are magnetic and easily removable.

CJ
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:49 pm
by captain_john
More tank pics. Started working on the right tank tonight.
The above pic shows my vapor return fitting.
The next pic shows my custom fuel pick up line. It is a bit long because I don't on a 37 degree flare tool and the tubing isn't flared.
It is amazing how fast you can work when you feel like you understand what to do. When you second guess yourself you waste ALOT of time, but are more certain you are doing what you should be doing. This, being my second inboard rib gave me the feeling like I knew what I was doing. I kinda did! It looks like an airplane part!
I think I will keep it.
Hey, anyone heard from Snap? He needs to chime in soon.

CJ
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:05 am
by Snap
Here i am! YAY!!!
I have been flat out teach'n people how to fly angry palm trees.
The work takes me away from home for the week and I only get to come home on weekends. The only problem is I have had to work the last couple of weekends as well.
Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Indeed there is. I am saving for the RV!
I saw one of those Diamond motor gliders the other day. You know the ones, with th diesel engine from Thielert. Let me just say, WOW!!!
Quiet and burns 17lt/hr Avtur. DADDY? Can I have one. (engine...not plane)

Sorry I haven't been around much. Should get better soon. Missed you guys.
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 5:24 am
by captain_john
Snap,
Good to see your voice! I was wondering where you were!
Glad to see that you are still checking in.
Do I really need to tell you to buy that emp kit? C'mon now... let's get this thing ROLLIN'!

CJ
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:08 am
by Snap
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:21 am
by cjensen
snap! get a hold of yourself man!
CJ, tanks are lookin' great!

Flaring Tool
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 5:56 pm
by Wicked Stick
John,
I have the flaring tool, so if you need to borrow it, just let me know and I can get it to you, or you can stop by and pick it up.
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 6:52 pm
by captain_john
Cool, thanks!
After I get done screwing up my leading edges I can get to work screwing up my tanx!!!

CJ
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 9:35 pm
by Wicked Stick
Do you want me to bring it with me to PYM tomorrow ?
If so, give me a call in the morning around 9:30.
Bring a piece of tubing and I can demo how to use it.
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 9:43 pm
by captain_john
Sounds great!
See you tomorry!

CJ