MIKE HOWE'S RV7 CONSTRUCTION RUDDER
(Stiffeners)

Back to directory

November 18, 2001

Getting all the rudder parts out and starting to think about where they go. Watching the Orndorff's video   Their video has been the best single investment I have made as it covers every step very thoroughly, it is a must have and  and points out many shortcuts and tips that work great. I have changed my order from a quickbuild to a standard build and have ordered their wing video. New things to deal with, nut plates, lead weights, cutting stiffeners, bending the leading edge. I am glad I took Henry's class in Oregon on my factory visit, I would highly recommend that anyone learning to build take a class like it as all most of the techniques involved are covered. Nothing better than a high quality tool in your hand as you learn to use it well. Try page 38 in Richard Bach's Book Illusions. 

 Rudder Parts and plans, putting the parts out and looking over the blueprints a few days before starting to work on something seems to help as looking at them a few times familiarizes you with them, as well as locate and look at the new parts you will be dealing with. Case in point looking over the plans two of the attach bearings are short and one is long. I start remembering a few of these details and think there is less chance of mistakes later on.

November 18, 2001

The stiffeners come bundled together and after a closer look they have letters identifying them on the little white tag wrapped around them that corresponds to the plan. If you look close at the thumbnail picture you can see the 815CGA which corresponds to the number of the stiffener on the blueprint you can see the R-815A in the picture of the blueprint.

Click here for enlarged cutting instructions  in PDF format

November 18, 2001
I have been experimenting with some more detailed way of showing pictures using PDF format, try the link below to see how it works, you will need adobe reader to see it. it gives you a way to see an enlarged photo with detailed instruction and a relatively small file size. PDF also gives the user some controls when the picture is accessed, you can select the magnifying glass and enlarge or reduce the size, and also click and drag any of the text boxes, lines etc around by clicking on the title bar or object and dragging it. You can close the text box and a note icon will appear, click to reopen it.If you have PDF installed open the file in the next paragraph and try it. Click on the purple title bar on the text box that has mike on it and move it around, click the little x and it will close and display a note icon, you should be able to click on the line with the arrow and the circle and hold the left mouse button down and move them around.

There were three different stiffeners on the same piece, counted holes between cut points and compared to plan and marked CGA etc. You can identify them by counting holes between the cutting notches. Click here to see expanded picture (Requires Adobe reader)

November 18, 2001

Determine the stiffener length, there are notches on it to show you where to mark it for cutting. Draw lines and trim with Weiss cutters

November 18, 2001

When I bought the 3M wheel from Avery they assured me I would need it, even though it was a bit pricey, it is definitely worth it, and makes short work of smoothing the cut edges

November 18, 2001

Drilling stiffeners and cleco to skin

Click here to see PDF stiffener layout

November 18, 2001

First set of stiffeners drilled removed ready to deburr with my power drill

November 23, 2001

Second set of stiffeners drilled  drilled, clecoing every other hole. Click here for PDF image

Second set of stiffeners drilled

November 23, 2001

 Hanging the parts to dry the primer, my little jig clothesline is starting to be a very handy place to hang parts.

Drying Rudder parts

November 23, 2001

Dimple holes in skin and holes in stiffener. I hit the first row a little hard and it only takes a light hit as the skin is very thin and dimples easily Put in AN-4263-3.5 rivets, tape then down with Scotch Magic Tape. Turn it over so the rivets are on the Avery back rivet plate and buck them with the back rivet tool.

See PDF enlargement click here

December 1, 2001

 Stiffeners all done and ready to move on to the Spar

Stiffeners all done and ready to move on to the Spar