Brief Description: Rear baggage tie downs for F869 bulkhead gussets
For the rear baggage area there are tie downs that are made out of either a 3/8" nut welded to a steel plate and then riveted into F-869 bulkhead gussets - or a thicker aluminum bar that is tapped to 3/8" and riveted to the gusset. I chose to go the route of the aluminum bar and after getting the specs of the bar from Rob in Virginia, and placing/receiving the order, I was ready to go.
I cut about an inch and a 3/4 of the bar, drilled a 5/16" hole in the center and then clamped it to the bulkhead gussets and drilled the rivet holes. I then tapped the hole at 3/8" and countersunk the rivet holes. I decided to trim the bar down to make it lighter weight so I free-handed a taper to the ends and hack sawed the rough shape, hit the grinder and the scotchbrite wheel for a smoothed, tapered look. The "plug" won't be seen as it will be under the gusset - so it will perform its function.