Brief Description: Match drilled firewall recess with center cover.
Match drilling the stainless steel firewall recess panel with the center cabin cover was something I dreaded, but it was easier than I had anticipated. I had to put jackstands under the wooden shipping blocks inserted in the spar slots on the sides of the fuselage. This stabilized the fuselage so that I could get in to provide a straight shot with the drill. Access from forward of the firewall was blocked by my rotisserie assemblage pieces.
Reviewing how to drill stainless steel, I jumped in with my cordless electric drill and promptly drilled the holes with Charlotte adding a little Boelube oil. The nutplate holes for the rivets were drilled one at a time while being held with a cleco. We had to dimple the SS rivet holes with the male die installed in a wood 2x2 and the female dimple die installed in a hole drilled into a cast bucking bar (and a hammer, of course). Worked just fine. We then had Charlotte in the fuselage to rivet using a rivet gun while I bucked with my small tungsten bucking bar. We now need to order some Proseal from Vans to seal the firewall recess.
Side note: Our Hooker harnesses ordered at Oshkosh with the show discount came in the mail today. They look good with silver gray webbing and dark gray pads. Still waiting for the Oregon Aero cushions also ordered at Oshkosh.
Charlotte riveting the nutplates to the firewall recess.
