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Todd's Web site
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Date: 12-9-2006
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Number of Hours: 10.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Wing Rib Preparation
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Well, I've finally ran into the first task in this project that I flat-out don't like. Prepping all the wing ribs has to be the most boring, mundane, and repetitive process so far. I'm beginning to see why people spend the money for the QuickBuild wing kits. I initially attacked the rib prep process with the normal zeal I've been accustomed to, and quickly deburred all the litening holes in all the ribs. Then I seperated them, stacked them all up, and grabbed the first main rib to edge debur everthing, remove Vans crazy marking stickers and thier persistent glue with acetone, straighten the flanges so they were 90 degrees to the web, and flute to flatten the rib out and ensure the rivet holes were straight. 45 minutes later rib number 1 was done, and the remaining stack of 53 ribs suddenly loomed before me like a hopeless dream.
Couple that with the normal demands of my work, a week TDY to Kirtland AFB, NM, a week TDY to Dallas, TX (no time like I'd hoped to visit Avery and some of the hardcore RVers in the area), a few road-trips with the wife and kids to see family in Southern Indiana, Payden's 5th birthday in Oct, Wesley's 2nd birthday in Nov, Thanksgiving dinner (another road trip), fall tree trimming, the rake-ing of about 18 tons of leaves, gutter cleaning, wife directed multiple trips to attic for fall decorations, halloween decorations, Christmas decorations....well, I think you get the picture.
With that said, it's been somewhat difficult to motivate myself. I finally completed all 28 main ribs last night. The 10 hours I have logged for this is a true estimate, and represents multiple start and stops...some lasting 5 minutes, some lasting 2 hours...I lost count of the number of sessions a long time ago. Of course, I've naturally become more efficient in the process, for it doesn't take 45 minutes per rib anymore, but it's still a boring process nonetheless. There is some light at the end of the tunnel though...I'm on the downhill slide....only 26 nose/tank ribs to go....
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10 prepped ribs on left vs. 10 unprepped ribs on right
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