rudder trailing edge

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:56 am

I talked with 2 local RV builders who cautioned me about putting the trailing edge of the rudder together. They pointed out that it can warp if you are not careful. Did any of you encounter this problem? Is there a way to avoid this?? My list of wrecked parts is starting to grow again so I'd like to keep it to a minimum. Look forward to your comments, Gary

Post by **Spike** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:00 pm

Step one: Dont fret
Step two: Go slowly
Step three: Set the rivets in two stages, the first to set the TE in position, the second to finish the rivets.
Step four: Enjoy pretty rudder TE.
Step five: profit.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:06 pm

Gary, I can't remember off the top of my head if there are step by step instructions in the manual or not, but I number my rivet holes in series 1-5, 1-5, etc...

I riveted the shop side with a backrivet set, running all the #1 holes first by going top #1 hole, to bottom #1 hole, then back to the second from the top #1 hole, then to the second from the bottome #1 hole, and so on. These were only set about half way to "clamp" the holes together. Then I flipped it over to shoot the manufactures head with a flush mushroom set in the same series, just a couple of taps, the flipped over again to finish setting them with the mushroom set, using the same series. This worked very well, and I ended up with less than a 1/16" difference top to bottom.

Did that make any sense to anyone?

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:39 pm

Thanks for info. So you would tape all rivets in place, no clecos?? Then do the sequence as you described is that right?? G

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:32 am

I followed the suggested way of riveting the trailing edge in the manual and it worked very well. Also helps to pro seal the edge together and clamp it straight for a few days till it drys before riveting. All in all I worried about that step way to much.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:11 am

gsimatos wrote:Thanks for info. So you would tape all rivets in place, no clecos?? Then do the sequence as you described is that right?? G

Yep! The only time I used clecos for the TE of the rudder wa to hold it to the table while the sealant set up. After that, the rivets were put in, and taped in place.

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:30 pm

Gary,

You've got some good advise already. The one thing that helped me rivet a perfectly straight TE was the 8' long back riveting plate made from scrap steel that I was able to borrow. This way the entire length of the TE was supported through the riveting process. I wouldn't tell you to go buy a big hunk-o-steel just for this, but maybe somebody you know has something similar. If you are interested, you can read more about it here.

IMHO... If I were building a -9, I would consider this huge back riveting plate a must.

Good luck!

Womack2005 · Post by **Womack2005** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:06 pm

Brad, I agree this is the key. I just used a piece of steel angle I got at Manards. It was like $10.

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:12 pm

Cool! So I take back my earlier comment... for $10, buy a big hunk-o-steel.

Will, every time I see your avatar I chuckle.

Womack2005 · Post by **Womack2005** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:44 pm

Right back at yeah bag boy!

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:25 pm

Will, I gotta ask...

What is up with the avatar?

That ain't you...

Who is it?

What is the story?

CJ

papakeith · Post by **papakeith** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:31 pm

It's Delmar from Brother where art Thou great movie

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 10:46 pm

okaaaaayyyy,

still not gettin' it!

Not werkin!

Don't unnerstan'!

CJ

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:36 pm

Brad, thanks for pics showing the big steel bar. I went to the local machine shop to scroung some plate and he sent me to a goy around the corner at a fabrication shop. I figures something like 4 inches x 12 to do the rudder stiffeners would be great. Well this guy took me to the scrap pile and gave me a hunk of 1/2 plate 8 inches by 4 feet. Damn near sunk the toyota but sure makes nice rivets. All he said was merry xmas, gotta love that. Thank you all again for your help, Gary

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 11:38 pm

Maybe womack has been saved.

aparchment · Post by **aparchment** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:59 am

Sure is a good thing Womack was saved, 'cause I heard he knocked off a Piggly Wiggly down south to get the money for his RV.

Gopher anyone?

Antony

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 12:47 am

captain_john wrote:okaaaaayyyy,

still not gettin' it!

Not werkin!

Don't unnerstan'!

CJ

Guess we're both going to have to rent the movie to figure it out, CJ.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:50 am

GOOD!

I felt really alone there for a while!

CJ

Womack2005 · Post by **Womack2005** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:24 am

OK, I was out of town all weekend and am just now reading these posts and am cracking up. CJ, if you havn't seen the movie, it is one of my favorites. Coen Brother movies usually rock.

And yes, I did knock over that Piggly Wiggly! Come on in boys, the water is fine

Post by **Spike** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:16 am

thread creep, back on target guys.

RivetBangers.com

rudder trailing edge

rudder trailing edge

let's go down to the river