I started out tonight on the trim tab skin. This small piece is about 36" x 10" and is folded in two along the long axis. The ends need to be closed up by bending the end tabs and then rivet each tab to each other. First you have to fabricate a bending break to complete the bend. I did so and it turned out very well. Next I fabricated another jig to clamp the piece to so I could bend the tabs in with a wood block. The first end came out flawless....I began to repeat the procedure on the other side. The jig was clamped to a 1x8 board and the board was clamped to the bench. I should have directly clamped the jig to the bench. The jig slipped a little as I tightened the clamps. I did the bend and when I took the piece out of the jig, I noticed a nice crease in the top of the skin from the clamp.......This is unacceptable so I will order a new skin and do it right the next time!! The skin is only $20, so not a very expensive lesson. This is the last part of the empennage to fabricate. I got though the whole thing without messing up a piece that needed to be re-ordered..,..almost! Tomorrow I hope to begin the last priming event for this part of the build.
First side went smooth...looks great!
Second side slipped in clamp and now it is unacceptable......
