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-   -   There are stupid mistakes...and then there are the ones I make! (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=63611)

N8RV 10-12-2010 03:20 PM

This thread is HILARIOUS! I had completely forgotten that I'd done that ... but it's all coming back to me now ... :D

jsherblon 10-12-2010 04:33 PM

I cut two left angle brackets, when I was supposed to make a left and a right. I even marked them "L" and "R" before cutting.

So... I tossed one of them into the scrap bin and then promptly made another left bracket.

Bill Dicus 10-12-2010 07:57 PM

Goof
 
I did one whole side of a rudder skin, complete with rivet tape and beautiful flush rivets! Guess I should have noticed the rivets seemed a little long. Sure was pleased with myself - for a few minutes! Later managed to stretch the skin trying to fix a misplaced dimple. It now hangs in the hanger with our Pitts.

videobobk 10-12-2010 08:22 PM

I was so proud of that rudder skin that I laid in on the carpet and stepped back to admire it. My 90 pound Lab jumped right on the middle of it...

Then there was the time I had my son help me move the HS/elevator assembly. I totally forget I hadn't secured the fiberglass elevator tip he used to lift it. I left that dent on the trailing edge (all six inches of it) as a reminder.

Bob Kelly

Steve Barnes 10-12-2010 10:22 PM

Inverted Ribs
 
A few years ago there was a couple of builders who put the ribs on upside down on an RV8 spar. As I remember they didn't discover there mistake till the skins were riveted on. Now this one has bragging rights as one of the biggest errors you can make. I can kind of see how this could happen if you are totally focused finishing the wing and not thinking about how things go together.

Steve Barnes "The Builders Coach"

panhandler1956 10-13-2010 04:29 AM

Nutplates
 
I have left nutplates out several times. So not only am I dumb, I'm not trainable either....

longranger 10-13-2010 09:08 AM

Also, once had to drill a few rivets out of the horizontal stab to retreive a bucking bar...:o

shuttle 10-13-2010 09:40 AM

Reversed HS Skins!
 
Miles,
Great one line "lost bucking bar in the HS" story. I have an HS story too.

Having match drilled both skins to the HS spar and ribs, then preped and primed everything, I riveted the skin to the LEFT HS SPAR & RIBS. Then I picked up the other skin. I was completely shocked to see the skin I was holding was marked up as the LEFT SKIN. I'd riveted the RIGHT SKIN upside down to the LEFT HS SPAR & RIBS - it fitted perfectly!

The story ends well as the LEFT SKIN also fitted perfectly upside down on the RIGHT HS SPAR & RIBS. Thankfully the HS skins are almost exactly symetrical and the prepunched holes are just about perfectly positioned.

Steve


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