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Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
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Date:  8-16-2010
Number of Hours:  2.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Baggage compartment construction

This evening was a session devoted to the myriad tasks, mostly unimpressive, that go along with finishing the baggage area. Yes, this means installing nutplates. 27 of them. The challenge with nutplates is that they aren't particularly challenging and so my mind tends to wander as I contemplate other, more interesting tasks while drilling 54 holes in my airplane. An undertaking fraught with peril lest my lack of focus causes me to drill in the wrong place.

Fortunately I didn't do that and at the end of the session I had drilled all of the holes successfully and actually installed a couple of the nutplates. The process I use (and I'm sure I invented it...) is to tap out a sacrificial nutplate and use it as a template. I then screw the nutplate on in reverse and hold one side while I drill through it. I then put a cleco in the hole to hold the nutplate in place --as they tend to wander with the rotation of the drill bit--and then drill the other hole. Wash, rinse and repeat 26 more times.

I will finish the nutplates and install the shoulder harness wear blocks next. Then it will be on to riveting the bottom row of rivets on the baggage floor ribs to the F-706 bulkhead--this will likely require me to remove the top skin, but a necessary step.
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Nutplate attached in reverse as template

Nutplate attached in reverse as template

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First hole drilled

First hole drilled

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