SHORT ARMS = TAILCONE TEAM I have been able to manage a large number of rivets on the tailcone so far. I have been able to combine any number of reaching and stretching techniques employed. But the reality is that this particular section requires an extra pair of hands. Bring… Read More »Tailcone Team
SETTING UP THE AFT DECK Once I had most of the pieces riveted in place for the tailcone, it was time to cleco the aft deck in place. For the most part it went quite smoothly. I am really happy that I spent the extra time working on the alignment… Read More »Riveting the aft deck
MAKING THE RUDDER FAIRINGS I suppose I should correct that to “purchasing the rudder fairings” from Cleavland Tool. They have the basic pieces that you need to trim to size for your plane. I made what I considered a slick looking swept back look, took it to the band saw,… Read More »“Fairly” good attempt at rudder fairings
RIVETING THE BOTTOM SKINS We continue to inch closer and closer to finishing up the empennage. One rivet at a time. I think each rivet also makes the finish line seem farther away too. Such is life. But I have a phenomenal riveting partner that makes the time fly by.… Read More »Finishing up the bottom skins
CALLING IN SOME BACKUP I have just about reached the extent of what I can back rivet on the tailcone. It was time to make a call to the bullpen. Fortunately my wife is an expert with a tungsten bucking bar and made quick work of this. Setting rivets in… Read More »The real riveting expert
BACK RIVET TIME – BUT FIRST ANOTHER MOVE Sadly, it has been three weeks since I have laid a finger on the RV. This time has been filled with a combination of vacation and work trips. One undeniably better than the other. I spent a good deal of time on… Read More »Shooting the back rivet approach
A NEW ANGLE I had to start the day by modifying exactly how it is I’m approaching the tailcone. The first series of rivets went in well on the stringers, but they are more difficult to reach now. I am starting to toss and turn the tailcone so that I… Read More »A new angle on tailcone rivets
SO MANY TAILCONE RIVETS This will likely be the most skewed post in history. I have one solitary image that covers 4 hours of work. Riveting. Ha!! See what I did there? Riveting? The pun? Okay – let’s wrap up this post because I’m pretty punchy at this point. That… Read More »Tailcone rivets? Sure, why not
FIRST, PUT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER The time has come to reassemble the tailcone one last time. I will admit that this is probably my favorite part of the build process. I really enjoy seeing all of the primed parts coming back together to get riveted permanently. After riveting together… Read More »Riveting the tailcone skins
PNEUMATIC SQUEEZER IS THE TOOL FOR THE JOB I was able to get out for another hour tonight and get some more riveting done on the tailcone. I used my squeezer tonight for nearly all of the rivets I put in. The squeezer is a fantastic tool. In looking back,… Read More »I missed you too squeezer