DATE: 09-17-2024 TIME: 3:00
Today we continued with the horizontal stabilizer process by making the 4 cradles suggested on page 8-7 figure 3. As I had some solid board lying around we used that and a 2×2 square rod for the bases. Worked fine although I probably need a new jigsaw :).
We then set to assembling all the HS-1004 and 904 and 905s to the HS-1002 forward spar and final size drilling them and drilling the additional holes in the inboard locations as specified in the manual. I take my time working at this, checking and double checking before cutting or drilling anything. I always have in my head the truism “there is never time to do it right, but always time to do it over”. Doing it over is time consuming and can be costly. So far, I am doing OK.
One thing I am doing a little differently…I have not primed and riveted the HS-1007 to the HS-1002 rear spar yet even though it is specified on page 8-6 in steps 1 and 2. It isn’t necessary to have that done when you are final sizing and drilling the HS-1004, 905 and 904 ribs, so far as I can see so I figured to leave that until I can prime most of the skeleton. We are almost at that point so I will prime all of the skeleton and then rivet the HS-1007 in place, in the meantime it’s kept in place with a lot of clecos (when I am drilling or countersinking). If this doesn’t work out well, I’ll let you know.
I will post the associated snapshots and video later.