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Marks RV8 Web Site
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Date: 10-6-2013
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Number of Hours: 0.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: How I did the tank riveting
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Wanted to show how I did the tank construction as I didin't precisely follow Van's order.
First drilled, dimpled, cleaned, etc. Once all the parts were ready, first things to go in were the stiffeners. I made a large riveting plate out of welding steel sunk into an oak board. I used popsicle sticks (per Van's directions) to apply the sealant and it was a disaster for the first two. That's when I got my son's syringe from the dentist. I cut the tip to squeeze a 1/16th bead and used it to put the rest of the stiffeners in place. Cleco'ed and let dry 24 hours.
Ordered more syringes.
Next I did the fuel pickups and set aside.
Next session was the stiffener riveting. The stiffeners had dried in place for 24 hours, so I was able to remove all the cleco's. Cleaned the holes, inserted a dap of sealant in each one with the syringe, inserted the rivet and taped in place. The stiffeners were then back riveted one at a time on the giant rivet plate. After all the stiffeners were in place, I riveted the drain valve flange and the fuel filler cap flange into place. Let everything dry for 24 hours.
Next session I sealed the ribs in place. Mixed up a bunch of sealant (about three golf ball sized.) Applied a bead of sealant to the bottom of the ribs and clecoe'd them in place. I went around the edge of the rib and then around each of the rivet holes. Next applied the sealant to the top of the rib and carefully folded the skin over starting to cleco from the front back. I intended to let this dry for 24 hours. It turned out to be a month between the Mooney accident, son leaving for college, etc.
The rib rivets were a pain in the kazoo. Started at the front to. Remove the cleco. Use an undersized drill to clean out dried/extra sealant. Wipe the area with MEK. Syringe a dollop of sealant onto the hole. Insert rivet and tape it down. Set the rivet with the gun. Repeat 400 times.
Actually by the end I found I had to do the first three rivets (front back) one by one due to the curve of the
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Ready to start
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Stiffeners in place
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Pickup and new syringes
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