Van's RV-9A in Aurora

The Big Picture

The Big Picture
Flying! 8/28/2011

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Rudder assembly!

1.2 hours and 82 rivets.
Started final assembly on the rudder. No building for a few days because of business travel, and it was great to get back in the shop.
Riveted the main spar reinforcement plate and plate nuts. Think I'm getting stronger, these weren't such a challenge as the HS and VS 1/8 rivets.







Started back riveting stiffeners to the right skin. Goes pretty fast and easy. The custom riveting plate Granger made is awesome.
But I managed to screw up one of the rivets. It must have been right on the edge of the back rivet set, and got partially mashed.



Unfortunately, this sliver drove up between the plastic sleeve and metal set shank, deforming the plastic so that it would not slide freely anymore. Had to stop, disassemble the set, deburr the sleeve, and reassemble the set. Then it was time for dinner.
After dinner drilled out the bad rivet and replaced it. Stopped after four stiffeners, that's enough for one day.