Brief Description: Tank Prep - Z Brackets Preparation 1
I started the Fuel Tanks. First I read several construction logs and decided to abandon Van's tank instructions that say, "elongate the holes to fit" and adopted Dan C.'s process which positively locates the fuel tank with no gaps. First I prepared the Z-brackets. I put a 3/8 hole in the center of one web. I setup my drill press to repeat this location in all 14 of the brackets. Watch out for shavings because one of my brackets ended up with the hole 1/16 off and this is no good because it moves the #40 rivets for the platenuts to close to the edge. So I ordered another Z-bracket as replacement. I hate making scrap. This 3/8 hole is then used to bolt the Z-brackets on to the spar and the other two holes are backed drilled using the spar as a guide. I used a bolt to bolt the platenuts onto the Z-brackets and drill the #40 holes for rivets. Then I countersunk the #40 holes for flush rivet heads.
