Can I delay the bottom skins?

[cstanley]

I'm about to tackle the fuel tanks on my slow build wing kit. Once I"m done with that, I'm supposed to put the bottom skins on. Why wouldn't I want to do that AFTER installing all the flight controls and the AP? Seems it would be so much easier.

 

[Larco]

It's the last thing I do on the side by side, install the bottom skins. A couple of friends doing a 10 did the same thing. Larry

 

[dmaib]

Bottom skins

I don't know for sure since I am not quite to that point, but I think I read that riveting the bottom skins on with the control tubes in place is very difficult. Tubes must get in the way of bucking.

 

[Deems Davis]

Not a problem

Go ahead and install as much as you can while the wing is open. Riveting the bottom skins is a "fun" exercise ! But having the push tubes, or other items, in place does not add to or cause a problem. Here's my experience http://deemsrv10.com/bottomwingskinlogindex.html

 

[eric.kallio]

I am riveting the skins now. What I did was to complete the aileron actuation section and set the control tube lengths, with the skins off. I also went ahead and paid the $50 or so and purchased the autopilot attachment hardware and installed it. Now I am riveting the skins on and then will install the tubes again and verify the rigging. All that would be left then is to install the servo at a later time.
Eric

 

[TSwezey]

I put the servo in before I buttoned it up. I delayed putting the bottom skins on for two years. I wanted to make sure I had everything figured out before installing them. I did take out the control tubes since they are fairly easy to install.

 

[cstanley]

THANK YOU!!! All your responses enable me to move on w/out worrying.