Sometimes I think I really am building an airplane

Post by **Spike** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:51 am

Once in a while I step back and look at the project and it hits me; I really am building an airplane

The other night after watching Brian's video I dreamed that I was at the airport doing my own 'first engine start'. Even in a surreal dream it was too exciting. This is getting cooler!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:07 am

Awesome Spike!! You've got such a comfortable looking work area, that I can't believe you don't spend ALL your time there!

Brantel · Post by **Brantel** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:14 am

Lookin Great!

Post by **Spike** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:24 am

cjensen wrote:Awesome Spike!! You've got such a comfortable looking work area, that I can't believe you don't spend ALL your time there!

Well, part of that is that I spend 2 hours a day commuting and generally work more than 8 per day. I have been making a concerted effort to slow down the weekends so I can devote them to building. I just got out of my flying club so now I really don't have anything to fly. Ill beg/borrow/steal time from some of the local RV guys when the itch needs to get scratched. In the mean time I spend as much of Sat / Sun in the shop as I can stand which is probably less than some of you guys.

Though to be honest I spend lots of time with Patti just hanging out and I put that in front of the plane. She's da bomb after all. The plane will fly one day, maybe in 2010. We will see.

dons · Post by **dons** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:04 am

That looks great Spike! I know exactly what you mean about standing back and reflecting on the project while looking at that assembly. I just did the match drilling on the weekend and I admit just looking at it for a while, quite the feeling, "this really is an airplane".

Post by **bullojm1** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:11 pm

You are at the most fun stage of the build now! Things go together way fast.

Post by **Spike** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:29 pm

bullojm1 wrote:You are at the most fun stage of the build now! Things go together way fast.

That is really good news to be honest. Thanx for passing it along.

painless · Post by **painless** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:49 pm

Lookin' good Spike.

Thing is, you will always have this same feeling, even when your project is all done and flying.

Every time I open the hangar doors, I take a breath and just shake my head in disbelief that I actually built this thing.

Its an awesome feeling my friend. Enjoy!

hydroguy2 · Post by **hydroguy2** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:14 pm

WTG Spike.

since you like hangin' out with Patty....hang out in the build room. you can discuss far away adventures while riveting

Post by **Spike** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:56 pm

Who do ya think shot all of those rivets? Patti is phenomenal with a rivet gun.

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:34 pm

Looking good Spike. You know, the ladies all seem to have a light touch on the rivet gun. The rivets my wife drove all look better than the ones I drove.

If she'll rivet, she's a keeper.

Thermos · Post by **Thermos** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:18 am

Spike wrote:That is really good news to be honest. Thanx for passing it along.

I'll second that. After finishing the wings over the Turkey Day holiday, I'm ready to do some distance on the fuse.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:23 am

What I liked about the fuse construction phase was; you only have to make one of everything... unlike the wings where you had to make a left one and a right one!

CJ

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 4:42 pm

Way to go, Spike!

I've spent many a moment just standing back and looking at my work, saying to myself "wow, this is really MY airplane coming together here". Unbelieveable. You'll be hitting big milestones one after the other real soon. Keep up the good work!

Post by **Spike** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 8:58 pm

I've had 2 productive weekends ...

She's more talented than I am!

Dead on there baby, no twist!

Thanx to Chad for those lovely spacers.

What a great way to call it a night

-- Spike

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:06 pm

Spike, Patti, we've all been waiting quite some time for these pics!! Friggin' sweet Spicer's!!

Just pass those spacers on to whoever needs/wants them next! They started out here in the Midwest, went to the West Coast, now close to the East Coast...where to next???

dons · Post by **dons** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 12:22 pm

I'll echo that, very nice Spike and Patti!

Did you do anything to eliminate twist while putting the rivets in, or just when doing the final size drilling ?

I think I am about a month behind you Spike, so keep the reports coming so I know what is coming next, there is very little different in the fuselages between the 9 and the 7.

Post by **Spike** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:37 pm

I did do one thing to it after I had it clecoed back together and before I flipped it. I went through and set rivets at the rib/bulkhead/longeron joints. That was only like 4 or 6 rivets and doing that let me flip it over without worrying much about those parts moving in relation to each other. Twist is greatly affected by the side skins moving fore and aft relative to the skeleton and in opposing direction to each other. Setting those rivets locked that motion down.

I didn't check twist again until after it was all riveted up and it came out on the money.

dons · Post by **dons** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:43 am

Great to know, thanks Spike, looks good.

Post by **Spike** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:02 pm

I have been putting tons of hours in during the holiday break. I have to admit that I underestimated the intricacy of the center section of the fuse. Though on the backside of it all I have to say that it to date has been the most rewarding for me. Here is the update, and I have to admit I was giddy like a child this evening once I sat back and took a gander. Keep on pounding those rivets guys!

-- Spike

RivetBangers.com

Sometimes I think I really am building an airplane

Sometimes I think I really am building an airplane

The holiday break ...