Proper location of Left Elevator Tab bend line

Cherokee Driver · Post by **Cherokee Driver** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:21 pm

To be sure that I do not miss an opportunity to over analyze another aspect of my build, I want to get some opinions on the proper location of this bend line. I used a square as per the instructions, but It looks "off" to me as the bottom point of the bend line seems to be too far inboard. To me it seems that this is important to make sure I dont have any binding of the trim tab. Any thoughts? How critical is this?

I guess my question is..."Does this look about right?"

Thanks in advance for your input.

CD

Post by **bullojm1** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:40 pm

Looks about right to me, but get ready for disappointment. These bends were some of the most frustrating parts of the whole build for me. I am a firm believe in chopping them off and making your own "riblets" and pop riveting them in there. However, it's worth a shot to do it once. You can always chop them off it you mess up!

The positioning isn't as critical as you are making it out to be. There is a little wiggle room in the trim tab to align it perfectly. I wouldn't worry about any binding if I were you.

Good Luck!!!!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 7:23 pm

I'm with Mike 100% on this Eric...I didn't even try to bend them. I did do the bends on the tab, but wasn't going to try the elevator.

Your line does look fine tho to give it a shot.

Let us know!

Post by **Spike** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:38 am

I did do the bends and they turned out great. However, I used a magnetic sheet metal brake. A small brake would be the only way to get it to look decent in my opinion.

Cherokee Driver · Post by **Cherokee Driver** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:28 pm

Greetings,

Well today I mustered the courage and did the deed. Here are the results. I am not ashamed to tell you that I was a little nervous given the comments some of you had on how easy it is to struggle here.

I think the reason it worked out OK in my case is that I took in the comments and experience from you, and concluded that the inner block needs to be rock solid.

To do this I used fresh carpet tape on the inner block, used plenty of clamping pressure, and I added a small tab to the point of the inner block that hooked onto the outside of the apex of the skin bend. This tab lasted just long enough to finish the bend and it helped prevent the inner wedge from sliding in. I am glad I used scrap walnut for the wedge as it was plenty hard.

Walnut wedge with little hook tab.

Clamping process

You can see how the little tab hooks on the inboard edge of the skin here. It was not much and it didn't last for both bends, but I think it helped keep the wedge from sliding in along with the carpet tape and the clamps.

Final product.

I know it will not win awards, I gave up on that on the HS...but I think it will be fine when riveted together.

Thanks to all for being a keystroke away.

CD

Post by **Spike** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:08 am

That looks really good dude.

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:49 am

Wow, man...

I agree with Spike. That's as good as it gets. My compliments! Thanks for showing us the pictures and describing the process.

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:30 am

looks real good.........now I have to go back and redo mine

dons · Post by **dons** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:48 pm

Looks good to me.

Mike Balzer · Post by **Mike Balzer** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:49 pm

Nice Job,
I just cut mine off and fabricated a rib to take the place of the bend.

Mike Balzer