7114 gusset

[Scott]

I am just about to the point of mounting wings on my fuselage. The plans do not address when the F-7114 gussets get drilled. I asked Vans and they indicated I could do these anytime. I am planning on taking care of these after I mount the wings. Anyone have any comments about this idea?

By the way, I am new here. Looking for some sound advice.

Scot
Working on the fuselage

[Thermos]

Scott,

Fitting the F-7114 is one of the to-do things on my "laundry list" post, I just started working on them last night.

I have temporary hardware store bolts holding the F-704 bulkheads together, threads forward, and the -7114 gusset is angled such that the bolt will have to be removed or at least slid back to get the gusset in place. I think it would be a lot easier to fit them now without having to knock out the close-tolerance bolts after the wings are mounted.

Hope this helps,

Dave

[Scott]

Dave,

I am at the same place as you are. I found that the hardware store bolts bind when the gusset is in place. I opened the holes just slightly for a better fit, as I did not want the gusset to interfere with the wing mounting.

I did check a few web sites, some drill the gusset in place now and others after the wing is mounted the first time. I have decided to go with after, which means delaying a few things in the forward cabin. But none of them are critical for mounting the wings.

After I get the wings on and everything set and drilled, I know the wings will comeback off. My plan is to move the bolts back just enough to get the gusset in place, drill it through the fuselage and then remove the wings. I don't foresee any issue doing it this way and Vans was okay with before and after.

Scott

[captain_john]

Scotty,

Mine are in for good along with the AN3 bolts that secure them to the fuse. I did that before the wings were even mounted.

Now that I have mounted the wings, everything lines up fine.

Keep in mind that a close tolerance fastener needs to be hammered into place. These are no exception. You really do need to beat on them.

I have some stainless steel pins in the wing bolt holes now, not hardware store bolts. They drift in nicely. I would suggest getting a close tolerance bold and polishing the threads off and using that as a drift pin. It is really slick!

In answer to your question, yes... you are doing fine. Vans is correct. Either way IS fine. Mine lined up well.

CJ

[Scott]

You must be reading my mind. I have close tolerance bolts just for that purpose.

Scott

[captain_john]

Cool... once you begin driving those in, that little gusset will conform to where it needs to be.

You will shave some of the cadnium plating off it but that is the nature of the beast.

CJ