Canopy Frame Alignment Issues

[SeanB]

Having trouble with the canopy frame!!! After being careful and getting things to fit as well as possible, I decided to drill the splice plates on the side rails and to the forward frame. When I removed the top skin for better access afterward, I saw the two frame parts are not meeting well in height. I've used the 1/8" spacers on the deck plates, plus the top skin is spaced well along the longerons. Everything is clamped well. I don't get it. I appreciate any advice...thoughts. Thanks!!!

http://www.kitlog.com/photos/project...2014A0002Q.jpg

http://www.kitlog.com/photos/project...2014A0002R.jpg

http://www.kitlog.com/photos/project...2014A0002S.jpg

[JanRV6UK]

From what I can see it looks like the taper thing was pushed in to far ... Not sure it actually matters at all . you could build up a spacer under it to make them the same height ...

[lr172]

not much you can do here. You can align the planes as you did and have a mismatch or align the bottoms and have a somewhat varying gap. I chose the latter and assume the weather strip will absorb the differences.

I would probably leave yours as it is. It won't be visible from the outside. You could clean up the the mismatched flats with some scrap alum parts and/or use JB weld to form something to ease the gap. Ntt sure this will be highly noticeable.

If your looking for perfect, you could cut the fwd portion back until the angle allows the aft portion to meet at the proper intersection and provide a smooth transition. Just be sure you leave enough room for the strut mount. This assumes you haven't already cut the long piece to size yet.

I struggled with the canopy fit and resolved to using bondo to get things the way I want them. Just wait till you try to line up the fuse skin to the canopy skin. Pretty tough to get good without expensive bending tools. I got as good as I could and will clean up the skins surfaces with bondo and with use alignment jigs at the aft end to keep it aligned.

Good luck

[BillL]

Yes, the wedge should have been to a fine edge on the end and inserted less to allow alignment of the bottom of the frame and rail - -However - - - this is one link in a chain, before you get to worried about perfection here, be sure the canopy hoop on the rear and the angle to connect to the side rail are in the right place wither respect to the roll bar. With the canopy frame and rail pushed together like you have them, it is likely you will need to shim (~ 1/8") at the rear to ensure a good match between the pivot point and the roll bar. That is not a problem, depending on how selective you are about the adjustment method needed.

Structurally, you are fine with what you have.

If you decide to redo this joint, you can weld (TIG) up the drilled holes in the canopy frame and just redrill them. I had to do this with several , all of which were pre punched but in the wrong place. Welding will not harm this alloy.

[lr172]

sorry, I should be more careful about my advice. I am building a 6 and get to drill all my holes. I wasn't thinking about pre-punched parts.

Larry

[BillL]

Originally Posted by lr172

sorry, I should be more careful about my advice. I am building a 6 and get to drill all my holes. I wasn't thinking about pre-punched parts.

Larry

I think your advice still applies.

[SeanB]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've already drilled the side rails to the back hoop. That all looks good. The wedge is not yet drilled. It is just placed there in the picture, no holes yet. I've got to figure out what is causing this mis-match. Everything else fits pretty well, skin included. I'm leaning toward getting the holes plugged and going again once I figure out the issue.

Thanks again!