Brief Description: Drilled 1st bolt hole in VS Rear Spar/Spacer
I talked with Jeff Paden re the problem of how to match-drill the tailwheel mount 1/4'' bolt holes to the VS rear spar. I used his suggestion of using a laser to mark the bottom hole, clamp the VS in place, and drill a pilot hole. I placed a piece of painter's tape on the back side of the hole for the laser beam to hit, so that I could confirm the position of the laser. I strung a plumb bob thru the VS hinge brackets to confirm the VS was vertically aligned. I also ran string from the top of the VS to the ends of the HS to verify alignment. Measurements were taken along the centerline to confirm the VS was aligned with the fuselage. After much measuring, I drilled a #40 hole to start and drilled it up to 7/32''. I then used the 1/4'' reamer to finish the hole.
Jeff got me a 0.250'' spacer to insert between the VS and the HS forward spars. I cleaned and trimmed this piece to the proper shape. This piece was clamped in place with the VS. After verifying that the VS was centered in position, I drilled two holes in the VS rear spar to the F-612B spacer up to 3/16'' with a reamer.
VS on fuselage and laser set up to mark the bolt holes
Laser set up on the Workmate bench
Laser beam hitting the VS rear spar indicating the position of the lowest bolt hole
