Rudder Complete

Posted by Sean Sat, 18 Dec 2004 18:04:00 GMT

Rudder This morning I was able to complete the rudder. The other night I finished double-flush riveting the trailing edge and rolled the leading edges. I can say that I don’t like doing the double-flush and rolling the edges. Of all the things I’ve done so far, these two tasks were the least enjoyable. Both came out fine, not perfect, but good enough. I had the most trouble rolling the middle of the three leading edges. Just didn’t want to come together. I am also going to go back and hit the tailing edge rivets again as I can see a few spots where the shop side isn’t sitting in the dimples far enough.

Rudder I mounted the rudder on the vertical stabilizer for a test fit. It swings pretty good. Finally looking like I’m accomplishing something. Now on to the Horizontal stabilizer. I think I’ll wait to start that until the family gets out here for Christmas so they can get a taste of what it’s like to go through the steps from square one on a sub-kit.

Total Hours on Rudder: 22 Total Hours on Vertical Stabilizer: 17.5 Total Hours To Date: 39.5

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  1. Andrew said about 23 hours later:

    Sean, if you do go back over the rivets that are high, be careful. If the trailing edge isn’t held down really well, you can put a little bend in the trailing edge.

  2. schmoboy said 1 day later:

    Thanks Andrew…

    I will keep that in mind. After the first go-around I have a slight hook in the lower fifth of the edge. Not a very big one, but one none the less. I’d be curious how many builders get a truely perfect edge.

  3. schmoboy said 1 day later:

    I re-hit the shop side of the rudder trailing edge. Things look much better now. The only flaw is a very slight hook on the last 3 inches of the bottom. It seems to start where the last stiffener is. Not gonna worry too much about it.

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