While I was trying to decide what I should do with the rudder skeleton, I continued the prep work on the last two parts of this kit. The right and left elevators. So after completing the elevator stiffeners, I finished the skin edges, I was able to clean, wash the skin and spray on the primer.
After the experience on the rudder skin, these stiffeners went pretty fast once I got started. The very last rivet closest to the trailing edge I left and will set that the old fashion way with a flush set and bucking bar to avoid messing up the rivets that sit "proud" because the skin bows up when trying to back rivet those last rivets. Just another view of the skin with a third of the stiffeners installed.
Below you can see the set up I used to hold the skin down to the table as the last of the stiffeners were riveted in place. Just a close up of the work, note the unset rivets nearest the trailing edge.
After a lot of thinking, research of other builders sites, I came up with a method that I am happy with to set the rivets without help from another person. I was able to set all of them without having to drill out a single one. Below is just a over view on the set up to keep the skin nice and tight to the table while I set the rivets with the flush set and tungsten bar.
Once the last rivet was set, I can now bend the skin with my homemade brake.
