Author: kbambas

Each part of the empenage seems to add a new complexity to the build.  The Rudder is no exception.  It does not have internal ribs like the Horizontal Stabilizer; rather it has light weight stiffeners that the builder fabricates from pre-punched angle channel stock.  Tho lighter in weight than the Vertical Stabilizer the Rudder has many many more rivets.

12/05/14

Not the best photo, but it shows a pre-punched rudder stiffener being cut  on our band saw.

There are sixteen stiffeners. Continue reading “It’s a Learning Experience”

11/28/14                                                                                                                                  

I have an old (3 megapixel) Olympus camera that is now dedicated to recording the build.  I keep it in the tool chest for photos such as these.

In building the Vertical Stabilizer, the first task is to smooth all edges and slightly round the corners of all the parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lightening holes in the reinforcing plate are punched at the factory and have rough edges, as on the center hole shown in the photo on the right.  The other two shiny holes have been finished with a Scotchbrite wheel on a drill and then a hand held Scotchbrite red pad. Continue reading “Let’s build a Vertical Stabilizer”

11/23/14

This week the horizontal stabilizer parts were abraded with ScotchBrite, cleaned with acetone and labeled in Sharpie blue.

I built a spray table from 1/2 inch PVC.  Wire cloth was stretched between two sides.  The sides with the legs rotate so the whole thing folds flat for storage. The table was placed on a plastic tarp on our lanai  (that’s a screened back porch for you northerners).

Internal surfaces were painted with SEM self etching rattle-can primer.  I chose one part primer for these interior parts for simplicity of process.  Our 66 year old Globe Swift has no interior primer in the fuselage and the metal still shines.  We’ll move up to two part epoxy primer for the cabin interior and other wear and tear areas. Continue reading “A Milestone”