Drilled out one mounting rivet on each of the nutplates that were in the way (see yesterday's log), swung them aside, and dimpled the holes behind them. Then reinstalled the nutplate rivets. I will email Van's to suggest a change in the plans to avoid this situation.
Prepped parts for upper firewall. Mixed a batch of tank sealant (20/2) and sealed the joint between the firewall halves, and used the remainder to seal the gaps around the edges of the firewall. Ran out just short of finishing the top part - will get that on the next batch. Experimented with using plastic tape with a hole in it to make a neater sealing job around the rivets. Just did a few.
Clamped and match drilled the short pieces of cowl hinges. Dimpled the holes in the side skin for the nutplate rivets and the #8 screw, and inserted the rivet. This does not seem to be in the plans, but obviously has to be done, and is written up in VAF posts.
Prepped more parts and when I made the F-1202Y Strut Angles out of the wrong angle stock I decided it was time to quit for the day!
Photo #3 is of the gusset that has been questioned in a recent VAF post. I will point the inquiring builder to it.
