HighSchoolBuilders
Well Known Member
Hi All,
I had a go at bending the right elevator and rudder on my RV8. I made a bender as suggested in the manual and read many posts and sites and photos before I gave mine a go. Now that I've bended it, I am still not sure if I've done it correctly. Am I suppose to bend it to make a "sharper" trailing edge? Or am I suppose to bend it so that the two sides will reach the spar easier for riveting?
Between the rows of stiffeners, it seems like the skin it's not completely flat and it's slightly convex, or bulging outward. I am not sure if I am missing something or if my bend is not enough. The leading edge looks okay without the bulge indicated in the manual.
Also, the manual talked about RTV application at the end of the stiffeners and I visited a few post regarding this issue. I sent Vans the following and perhaps any builders can give me some advice?
"The manual called for a dab of RTV at the stiffeners to avoid rubbing and cracking. Some builders said it's for the earlier model, and I had a look at my rudder and elevators, indeed when I close them up, they're still quite far apart and don't seem the two side will ever rub against each other. Will I be able to get away without the RTV?
Also, the brand RTV is not available in Hong Kong. The closest thing I have in hand is silicon but it's acid base. I am concern if the acid is going to damage the aluminum in the long run (I tried it on a piece of scrap, primed with epoxy primer, so far okay)."
Many Thanks!
Hank
I had a go at bending the right elevator and rudder on my RV8. I made a bender as suggested in the manual and read many posts and sites and photos before I gave mine a go. Now that I've bended it, I am still not sure if I've done it correctly. Am I suppose to bend it to make a "sharper" trailing edge? Or am I suppose to bend it so that the two sides will reach the spar easier for riveting?
Between the rows of stiffeners, it seems like the skin it's not completely flat and it's slightly convex, or bulging outward. I am not sure if I am missing something or if my bend is not enough. The leading edge looks okay without the bulge indicated in the manual.
Also, the manual talked about RTV application at the end of the stiffeners and I visited a few post regarding this issue. I sent Vans the following and perhaps any builders can give me some advice?
"The manual called for a dab of RTV at the stiffeners to avoid rubbing and cracking. Some builders said it's for the earlier model, and I had a look at my rudder and elevators, indeed when I close them up, they're still quite far apart and don't seem the two side will ever rub against each other. Will I be able to get away without the RTV?
Also, the brand RTV is not available in Hong Kong. The closest thing I have in hand is silicon but it's acid base. I am concern if the acid is going to damage the aluminum in the long run (I tried it on a piece of scrap, primed with epoxy primer, so far okay)."
Many Thanks!
Hank