makin' stuff is fun!

[tmbg]

Especially makin' it for the third time around!


Specifically, the blasted Z-brackets for the tank. I drilled the first set wrong, so I drilled the other seven that were earmarked for the right wing, and got those right, but I figured I'd be clever and use 5/16" clecos to hold the nutplates on while I drilled the #40 holes for them (3/8" clecos don't fit in the nutplate threads), but of course I'm a moron and the extra slop between the cleco and the hole made the nutplates locate all wrong. So, I ordered 14 new brackets from vans, and third time was the charm!


Now I'm wishing I'd sprung for the nutplate jigs at cleaveland's booth at OSH. They're so blasted expensive though!

[tmbg]

oh and why the heck does this forum seem to be dominated by MY posts? Come on folks, are y'all not screwing up ever?

[Brantel]

Now I'm wishing I'd sprung for the nutplate jigs at cleaveland's booth at OSH. They're so blasted expensive though!

Just use a tapped out nutplate and an old screw... Instant nutplate jig....

[cjensen]

oh and why the heck does this forum seem to be dominated by MY posts? Come on folks, are y'all not screwing up ever?

Nah, we're all pretty much perfect! I think I've posted quite a few here as well...

[tmbg]

Now I'm wishing I'd sprung for the nutplate jigs at cleaveland's booth at OSH. They're so blasted expensive though!

Just use a tapped out nutplate and an old screw... Instant nutplate jig....

That's how I did it the third time around

I'd rather have the jigs though. I may invest in them soon.

[jim_geo]

Nut plate jigs are great. Also as time rolls by you'll come to realize that RV's are held together by nut plates. There are almost as many nutplates as there are rivets (not really). They may seem expensive now but they're as usefull as your C-frame is for dimpleing.

[captain_john]

I was using the "old nut plate as a template" trick for much of my project.

When I was at OSH 2005, I picked up a jig. MAN, those things are GREAT!

I don't know how I got along without it!

CJ

[tmbg]

I spoil myself.

I ordered #6, #8, #10, and 1/4" nutplate jigs from cleaveland, as well as two more 1/4" quickchange collets and a 100 bag of #40 clecos


I was gonna snag the #4 jig too, but I dunno how many #4 nutplates there are on the bird (I think the tip lens screws might be #4?) and the #4 jig was twice as much as the others!

[captain_john]

Sounds like you do!

You will like the jigs!

CJ