wirejock
Well Known Member
Need help! I skipped a step locating F721B, DWG 18, 25
I was just getting ready to rivet the canoe and found a problem, maybe. I completely missed a step in the manual.
"Tape a piece of 0.032” aluminum to the outboard surface of the longeron and fit the F-721B aft deck to the top of
the longeron. Carefully establish the fore/aft position. The shim will simulate the F-770 side skin. When the
outside edge of the side rail matches the outboard surface of the shim, drill the F-721B to the longeron.
Leave it clecoed for now."
I used the aft deck to double check the bend of the longeron but I never match drilled it. I know the curve was correct but somehow I missed the curve by a tiny bit.
I read forward and noticed this step.
"See DWG 25. The F-721B side rails have already been drilled to the longerons."
I placed both F721B aft decks in the exact place called out in the plans 28-1/4" from the forward end of the longeron and the outboard top edge hangs over the edge of the outboard side of the skin by about 1/8". Notice in the photo. Since the longeron was never match drilled through F721B, I'll have to drill it when the canoe gets flipped. I can pull the skins and bend the longerons with the Buller dies but how critical is the fit. Since everything is drilled, I'm hesitant to bend the longeron and cause a misalignment of parts.
I'm wondering if this edge can be trimmed off since the manual mentions it.
"Carefully file the decks and rails to fit the contour of the side skin."
Any advise is appreciated. I can send it to Vans Monday as well.
I was just getting ready to rivet the canoe and found a problem, maybe. I completely missed a step in the manual.
"Tape a piece of 0.032” aluminum to the outboard surface of the longeron and fit the F-721B aft deck to the top of
the longeron. Carefully establish the fore/aft position. The shim will simulate the F-770 side skin. When the
outside edge of the side rail matches the outboard surface of the shim, drill the F-721B to the longeron.
Leave it clecoed for now."
I used the aft deck to double check the bend of the longeron but I never match drilled it. I know the curve was correct but somehow I missed the curve by a tiny bit.
I read forward and noticed this step.
"See DWG 25. The F-721B side rails have already been drilled to the longerons."
I placed both F721B aft decks in the exact place called out in the plans 28-1/4" from the forward end of the longeron and the outboard top edge hangs over the edge of the outboard side of the skin by about 1/8". Notice in the photo. Since the longeron was never match drilled through F721B, I'll have to drill it when the canoe gets flipped. I can pull the skins and bend the longerons with the Buller dies but how critical is the fit. Since everything is drilled, I'm hesitant to bend the longeron and cause a misalignment of parts.
I'm wondering if this edge can be trimmed off since the manual mentions it.
"Carefully file the decks and rails to fit the contour of the side skin."
Any advise is appreciated. I can send it to Vans Monday as well.
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