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  #1  
Old 12-31-2009, 03:31 PM
datsclark datsclark is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 80
Default elevator tab bend mistake

I'd like an opinion from all you fine experts on my elevator tab, the one you have to bend on the skin by the trim tab. I've either over-folded the trailing edge of my elevator, or bent too much of that little tab. When i was bending it (shame on me for not eyeballing this first) the tab almost ran into the bottom tab. It won't bend all the way without hitting.

FWIW, here are images after unbending it some.




What do you think... should I:
a. Unbend some more, cut off a bit, and rebend.
b. Move the blocks over, rebend less of it.
c. Start over

Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 12-31-2009, 03:55 PM
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mgomez mgomez is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Northern California, USA
Posts: 537
Default I blew that, too

I ended up snipping off the tabs and making a little rib to close out the elevator. It wasn't easy to rivet it on, because it's so narrow in there, but I managed.
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Redwood City, CA
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  #3  
Old 12-31-2009, 04:01 PM
Paul Thomas Paul Thomas is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Posts: 483
Default

Many builders have problems; I did and bought a new skin. If I were to do it again, I'd just make the tab. In fact I may cut up my trim tab and make a rib; the alignment could be better... but perfect is the enemy of good in this case so I've put it on the back burner.

I think Van should sell a little rib, it would be much better and looks like the rest of the build.
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  #4  
Old 12-31-2009, 04:45 PM
PIN 37 PIN 37 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Adelaide Australia
Posts: 218
Default

I agree with Rivithead about the edge finish. This is a most important item to get right if you dont want future cracking. Its all important but esspecially important an the small rads. such as the cutout at the front of the tab, that is a prime place for cracks to start. Its boring to finish the edges nicely but its more boring to continually be repairing cracked parts.
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  #5  
Old 12-31-2009, 04:59 PM
eatenbyagrue eatenbyagrue is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 65
Default

+1 for cutting it off and building yourself a little rib. That's what I ended up doing....
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  #6  
Old 12-31-2009, 05:02 PM
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airguy airguy is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Garden City, Tx
Posts: 5,145
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Hate to pile it on, but yeah you could stand to remove more edge material. Cleaning up the edges and deburring holes is not fun, but it is necessary. In this case you can remove as much material as you need to be able to fold the tabs down and fit each other, the only purpose they serve is to get riveted to each other to hold the entire tab in its final shape.
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N16GN flying 700 hrs and counting; IO360, SDS, WWRV200, Dynon HDX, 430W
Built an off-plan RV9A with too much fuel and too much HP. Should drop dead any minute now.
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  #7  
Old 12-31-2009, 05:24 PM
datsclark datsclark is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 80
Default

Thanks for the comments everyone. You're completely right, i've missed finishing the edges on here. I'll go back and clean up the edges before I move on.

If i cut the tabs down and rebend, will I risk bending the material too much?
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Last edited by datsclark : 12-31-2009 at 06:27 PM. Reason: typo
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  #8  
Old 12-31-2009, 09:26 PM
Pbr47906 Pbr47906 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: West Lafayette IN
Posts: 103
Default How about 3 screw-ups

I did the same thing, 3 times. The last time I cut off the tabs, fabbed a rib to fit and used MS319BK pop rivets. It is so much easier, I don't know why Vans keeps that design. It is obvious very difficult to do. And don't worry about using pop rivets. You will use them on the flaps, and ailerons.

Paul
N277PM
Just now putting the leading edges, tanks and top skins on the wings.

.
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  #9  
Old 01-02-2010, 01:06 AM
Pbr47906 Pbr47906 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: West Lafayette IN
Posts: 103
Default Open up the bend.

Quote:
Originally Posted by datsclark View Post
I'd like an opinion from all you fine experts on my elevator tab, the one you have to bend on the skin by the trim tab. I've either over-folded the trailing edge of my elevator, or bent too much of that little tab. When i was bending it (shame on me for not eyeballing this first) the tab almost ran into the bottom tab. It won't bend all the way without hitting.

FWIW, here are images after unbending it some.




What do you think... should I:
a. Unbend some more, cut off a bit, and rebend.
b. Move the blocks over, rebend less of it.
c. Start over

Thanks!
This was the issue I had with my first-of-three attempts at making the bend. The angle needs to be opened up more so that when the bend is made it does not interfere with the bottom piece of material. Now having said that, I still screwed up the next attempt in that my blocks moved.
#@!?@?#!

Paul
N277PM
Found great enjoyment in abusing a friend as we finished the right wing leading edge, tank and top skins riveting. I can't wait until he loses enough weight to crawl into the fuselage with the bucking bar.
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