Brief Description: Drilled holes in left counter weight, sort of
Today started out with a major goof. I thought I would breeze through the left elevator so that tomorrow I could prep and prime all of the parts for the left and right elevators but I was thrown a curve ball first thing.
I stared out by drilling the counter weight using the 713 skin factory holes as a guide. On the right side I first drilled #40 holes because I was not sure how straight the holes would go. I used a cordless drill that has a level bubble built into it. The right side worked out well I did not do the pilot hole on the left. Well this bit me just as the second hole was about done. The lead tends to grab the bit even though I was using drill oil, just as I was drilling the last bit the drill really grabbed, I revered the drill out only to see that mangled the end of the 703 rib. I am not sure how it did this, it stared to drill away the metal but I think when it jumped it pushed the flange of the rib forward and then the bit grabbed the edge of the flange and tore it up.
So I have placed my order with Van’s for another rib and counter weight. I also ordered another 704 rib. I am hoping with new ribs I might get holes to mate up better with the counter weight skin.
After the set back with the counter weight I set about on the electric trim mount. I marked the location of the Z-brackets according to the plans but the trim shaft did not line up with the opening. I did some reading on some other builder sites as well as VAF and most said they had to move the location of the mount to make it line up with the opening so I did this as well. I kept the mount square with the back line but moved it to the side until things lined up. You can see from the photo the plans line is about 2/32” off from what is required. Next I primed the parts and let them dry long enough that I could handle them then riveted everything together. The last photo is the mount set inside the opening in the bottom of the elevator. Aside from the morning goof up with the counter weight I enjoyed the build today,
New parts on the way
The line in the middle is IAW the plans I had to move it left 2/32" (right in the picture)
