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Jims RV-8
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Date:  3-4-2018
Number of Hours:  3.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Fiberglass right console

My though for today was that I don't want to mix up a bunch of fiberglass for the rudder cap leveling as that is a small job. So, I might as well work on the right side storage area that I will be putting in the console. The RV-8 doesn't have a lot of storage area, so I, like many other builders, decided to form a small fiberglass compartment that will have a door on it to keep the small things contained in the negative "G / upside down" environment. The right console area is a pretty big space actually, but there will be lots of other things occupying that space in the future. The right fuel line tank tube is already there and shortly there will be lots of wires running under the console area - so I want to make sure I plan for that. My thought is to shape a male mold of the area in foam and then do the lay-up. The lay-up is the combination of fiberglass fabric, resin and hardener that will dry to form the “part” – in this case, the storage compartment. I designed it so that it will drop in from the top with fiberglass flanges that use the console cover screws to secure it in place. Then I have to make a door for it… but first things first.

After lots of thinking, shaping, smoothing, cutting (repeat, repeat, repeat...) I ended up with something that will work, I think - since I am just getting familiar with this fiberglass thing. It's also a little odd thinking in terms of the negative - "What will be left when I scrape the mold out and am left with the remaining fiberglass bowl? So, realistically speaking, I probably should name this, "Console Storage 1.0" as there will likely be more iterations of learning. But that is also the idea - learn on a part I can throw away and make another until I get good at fiberglass. :)
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The start...foam glued together

The start...foam glued together

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foam sitting on top of the console area

foam sitting on top of the console area

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post carving, sanding shot...hack saw works really well.

post carving, sanding shot...hack saw works really well.

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