Build update: Im pooped...

[Spike]

I did a proseal session yesterday. From start of setup to end of cleanup was 6 hours. I was able to get to 5 internal ribs riveted into my left tank. I didnt get to bed until long after my bedtime. It was cool to look at the tank this morning before work. Proseal isn't so bad, it just takes forever to do stuff when working with it. I figure 2 more sessions and Ill be done the tank. Can't wait.

[cjensen]

First one? Seems like I remember you already had sealant on the carpet from a previous session...

I know what you mean by being pooped...I worked 8.5 hours yesterday!

[smittysrv]

Wow! You must be be pooped! My time slot for working each day (before momma gets home) is a little less than 2 hours. Putting in only 1 rib a day wore me out.

Take the rest of today off! Tell the boss, Smitty said...

Have a goodun!

[Spike]

First one? Seems like I remember you already had sealant on the carpet from a previous session...

Ahhhh, the infamous carpet caper. That was for gluing the foam wedge into trim tab. Close enough though. Im much less messy now too.

[Brantel]

Yep,

The tanks take some time. Wear you out!

I am on my second. Spent most of the day Saturday sealing end rib parts, filler hole, drain hole and stiffners. By then I had all I could take of it.

The baffle to me is the hardest part because there is so much work involved all at once. Make sure you have plenty of time to work on it before you start.

[Womack2005]

I have to say that I am not enjoying this whole tank buisness as much as I have the rest of the build so far. The prep and cleanup take up a lot of time.

[smittysrv]

Make sure you have plenty of time to work on it before you start.

When I got to the back baffles, I took the day off from work and made sure that no one else was home, so I wouldn't be interrupted. The only problem I ran into was not anticipating how much proseal I would need to go around the edges. I had to make a mad dash to the cans to mix more proseal to get the last 6 inches around the flange.

[RV9inIowa]

The only problem I ran into was not anticipating how much proseal I would need

I'm doing both tanks at once and the same thing happened to me. I did the "mad smitty dash", and finished the right baffle this Saturday. It took 6 hours for the whole baffle, including cleanup. It was easy work, except for the solid rivets on the end ribs are a pain. The pop rivets are easy with the air powered pop rivet tool. The skin rivets are really easy, but there are a lot of them.

BUT - I don't have enough proseal for the other baffle so I'm waiting till this weekend when the box from Vans shows up. I'm a card carying member of the "use a lot of proseal" club!

Before baffles I thought proseal wasn't so bad, now I just want it done. If all goes well, by Sunday my tanks will be completely finished. I'm going to wait a few days and then leak test them. This is how I'll feel if there are any leaks

[painless]

The key to prosealing your tanks is to not get in a rush. Don't expect to make huge progress with each session.

Patience grasshoppas......Patience.....

[JohnR]

Wow guys, 6 hours, that is quite a proseal marathon! Glad they are coming along.

Dave, I think I have about a 1/2 can of proseal left. You could have borrowed it so you could have kept going. Maybe you could have gone 10 hours.

I was fortunate enough ot get both tanks done before Luke headed off to college. Two people really helps on the baffle especially. Luke is supposed to get home this weekend for the summer so maybe I'll start making some progress again. Seems everyone is really hitting it hard here lately!

[aparchment]

Yup, hitting it hard alright. I got the top skins riveted on my left wing on Sunday. I got my buddy up the street to help me with a 4 hour riveting session. He's a good sport. He's also a great riveter since he's a musician and keeps great time on the rivet beats.

Now for the right wing!

I just want these damn things done. I have been looking at them for a year now!

[RV9inIowa]

Dave, I think I have about a 1/2 can of proseal left. You could have borrowed it so you could have kept going.

Thanks John - I bet I'll only use a "little" from my 3rd can Actually I think I've wasted a lot along the way... all part of the joy that is proseal.

I was gonna ask to see if you had any but I thought I'd just bite the bullet and get it done the right way. You've already helped me so much, I'm gonna get a complex. Besides, dealing with Vans for parts orders is so fun!

[cnpeters]

For the second tank currently being worked, the Rick Galati method was so superior to the first tank effort ( http://rickgalati.com/subpage9.html ). It involved fay sealing the parts to be joined, then clecoing them and leaving to dry. Come back after a day or two for a no-slop session of riveting. Barely a mess, more efficient. Took only two hours to do all 7 RV-9 tank ribs with a single 6oz. cartridge and the Van's proseal 'caulk' gun, and then cleco them. Riveting took 3 hours - I also used the technique to ream each skin hole with 2 or so twists of the Avery countersink tool ( http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 3721&row=2 ). All the rivets heads set flush compared to being slightly proud on the first tank. I also did not use sealant on them - the ribs were carefully sealed as is, and shop heads will be covered soon in my next session. Just some ideas... .

[cjensen]

I was over at Carl's house last night, and his tanks look awesome!! I have zero doubts that he'll have any problems. They sealed very well using the fay sealing method.