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  #1  
Old 10-23-2015, 08:50 PM
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goatflieg goatflieg is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Clarkston, MI
Posts: 660
Default Validation requested for "One Tab Club"

I can't be 100% certain until it's mounted on the completed left elevator... but I believe I may have just joined the One Tab Club.
For details you can go to my kitlog site http://www.mykitlog.com/goatflieg/ but here's a synopsis. I faced the point where I had to decide whether to bend the end tabs on the left elevator skin and trim tab skin or go the riblet route. Much research revealed that this subject is about as infamous as the Primer Wars... but I decided to see if I could build it the way Van's builds it. So I built lots of different forming blocks and jigs, and copied the tabs onto some spare sheet so I could practice on a couple pieces first. Then I followed some advice found here and did my trim tab first, since it's much cheaper and easier to replace than a left elevator skin with stiffeners already in place. I took my time, rejigged as needed, used a lot of care... and I'm really happy with the result. As I see it, the only risk I'm facing is lining up the trailing edges with one side of the hinges already installed per blueprint specs. I'll know when I complete the left elevator and can begin fitting the trim tab... but I've a feeling this is going to work out just fine. I also made sure I primed the face of the inner tabs, so that I had primer between sandwiched parts. I think it looks good... what do you think? Did I pass?

(BTW those wavy white areas along the top edge of the part in this photo are scuff marks from the scotchbrite wheel I used to dress the edge... they really caught the camera flash, and look like dents or deformations, but they're not)



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Martin J Filiatrault
Clarkston, MI
RV-8 #83507 - currently working on finishing & firewall forward.
N657AR reserved
Builder websites:
http://goatflieg.blogspot.com/
http://www.mykitlog.com/goatflieg/
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/goatflieg
Dues paid for 2020... extra payment included for psychological therapeutic services rendered.

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Last edited by goatflieg : 10-23-2015 at 09:09 PM.
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  #2  
Old 10-24-2015, 06:01 AM
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blueflyer blueflyer is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 1,002
Default

looks good to me. I made 3 of them.
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  #3  
Old 10-24-2015, 08:13 AM
aerhed aerhed is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Big Sandy, WY
Posts: 2,567
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As good as I've seen. Better than a couple of mine.
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  #4  
Old 10-24-2015, 08:31 AM
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BruceEicher BruceEicher is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wilsonville/Aurora KUAO Oregon
Posts: 746
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I would still recommend you build a second, just to prove it was not a fluke.
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  #5  
Old 10-24-2015, 09:20 AM
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Snowflake Snowflake is online now
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
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Bet you can't do it that nicely a second time...
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1996 RV-6 "Tweety" C-FRBP (formerly N196RV)
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  #6  
Old 10-24-2015, 11:06 AM
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goatflieg goatflieg is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Clarkston, MI
Posts: 660
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowflake View Post
Bet you can't do it that nicely a second time...
Challenge accepted. Just finished the tabs on the elevator skin. It was more awkward; the additional sheet metal made it harder to position the tab area where I wanted it, but I made it work. Again. It probably helps that I work really slowly...

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Martin J Filiatrault
Clarkston, MI
RV-8 #83507 - currently working on finishing & firewall forward.
N657AR reserved
Builder websites:
http://goatflieg.blogspot.com/
http://www.mykitlog.com/goatflieg/
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/goatflieg
Dues paid for 2020... extra payment included for psychological therapeutic services rendered.

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  #7  
Old 10-24-2015, 02:53 PM
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Beer30? Beer30? is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 215
Default My first one was perfect too...

Of course, my first one was flawless also, but I bought a second one just so Van could have some beer money. Pretty selfish of you to make the man go thirsty.


DD
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RV-7 Complete,
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  #8  
Old 10-24-2015, 06:48 PM
rightrudder rightrudder is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Laguna Hills, CA
Posts: 1,805
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I too am a member of the One Tab Club, but **sigh** I'm also the president of the Botched Chromoly Aileron Pushrod Society.
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  #9  
Old 10-24-2015, 08:11 PM
Smilin' Jack Smilin' Jack is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cumming, Georgia
Posts: 873
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Martin,
You can be proud of your work....
I can not say mine has your touch of a master metal worker... but you did a beautiful job.

I guess the rest of the plane will be likewise beautiful.... keep on pounding...
You'll make us all proud.

Smilin' Jack
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  #10  
Old 10-24-2015, 09:11 PM
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goatflieg goatflieg is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Clarkston, MI
Posts: 660
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Thanks all for the encouragement. I'm sure I'll have many more botched moments to add to my existing pile, and I'll learn from them all. After all, that's why we're legally allowed to do this... for the purpose of education. But my reason for posting all this is because it's a comfort to hear from others that some of my work is decent. We all need to hear that sometimes.
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Martin J Filiatrault
Clarkston, MI
RV-8 #83507 - currently working on finishing & firewall forward.
N657AR reserved
Builder websites:
http://goatflieg.blogspot.com/
http://www.mykitlog.com/goatflieg/
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/goatflieg
Dues paid for 2020... extra payment included for psychological therapeutic services rendered.

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