This evening I worked on the canopy hatch. I have not been looking forward to cutting grooves in the fuselage. But, today I decided to go for it.
I measured and remeasured, checked everything three or four times and dove in. I set up an aluminum bar as a guide for the first cut. After drilling the two 1/8 holes at each end of the slot, I used the vibrating cutter to the first slit. The cutter worked amazingly well. I moved the guide and cut the top slit. It took just a bit of trimming with the dremel to get the piece in the middle to drop out.
I ended up using the dremel to cut the front slot. (It was too short for the vibrating cutter) I test fit the pieces in after finishing and the slot was a bit too narrow. (I had expected that.)
I put the guides back on and used a small file to slowly make the slot wider. (I wanted to keep the grooves parallel too) I worked until the latch handle fit through the slot. I still might need to make it a bit wider,,, but will wait until the latch is assembled to see.
I drilled the holes for the rivets then went on to making the latch. I fabricated the pieces and was EXTREMELY careful on drilling the holes for the latch in the angle iron. I measured to the 32nd of an inch. Used a center punch to start the hole. Drill with a 1.8 bit then enlarged it to the correct size for the bolt.
When it was completed it worked great... but the handle sticks out from the fuselage skin a bit. I am going to order a bit more angle iron and remake the mechanism. This time, I'm going to follow the instructions of another builder. He used the latch handle as a guide for the holes. I had read his notes. That is why I was so careful with the holes in the first place. I truly think the measurements for the holes are a bit off.
This evening Ken dropped by. He's the A&P who has been so helpful on the project. He looked over the work I'd been doing a gave me a few helpful hints.
