Wing Kit

Riveting The Top Wing Skins

 

10/13/07, 10 hrs

 

I somehow found a burst of energy and used it to convince Tami it was time to rivet the top skins on the left wing.  This wing has been in the stand for>>>  Humm, lets just say a LONG TIME.

I told Tami that I thought that this would only take a couple of hours.  For the most part, I didn't lie....  Once we shot a few rivets and got back into a rhythm, it did go pretty quickly.  In all, it took us about 5 hours to rivet both skins on (minus the rear spar.  Note Clecoes).

I am yet amazed how accurate the pre-punched kits are.  The fit between the leading edge and top skins is just excellent.  It is at least as good as my Cherokee.

Like I said, just excellent.  Couldn't be happier.

Only a few more rivets and the top skins are DONE.  One thing I found to be a relief is that the fuel tank Z-brackets all lined up to the spar just fine.  I have had visions that I would go to mount the fuel tank to the wing and I would have one of those Z-brackets on a 180 degrees out.  Needless to say, that was one mistake I was fortunate enough not to make.

I ran the electrical conduit before I took it out of the wing stand.  I had also seen posts of guys who had left their blue plastic on for a length of time and when the removed it, found slight corrosion under the plastic.  So I took some of mine off to see if I had any problems.  No problems, however, I do air condition and de-humidify my garage during the summer.  I plan on taking off all the plastic when I get the wings done.

 

       


Last Updated: October 17, 2007