Fabricated tiedown bracket (It took two tries and a replacement part to get it right). Countersunk nutplate holes on bulkhead. Final drilled all 3/16" holes as called out in plans Deburred all bulkhead parts with the help of my friend Tony Heras Tony primed most of the bulkhead parts Riveted bulkhead, tie down bracket, and nutplates.
Could not reach four of rivets on the bulkhead with my 3" squeezer set. I called Van's builder support for the first time since I started the kit. I felt foolish calling but I couldn't figure out how to set the rivets using the tools called out in the plans. Ken at Van's suggested I hunt down another builder with a rivet gun and bucking bar to shoot my final four rivets. He further stated that I was the first builder to have that problem. I called on my EAA Tech Counselor, Rick Galati who brought over his rivet gun and made quick work of the rivets. I don't know if this is going to come up again so I'm undecided whether to purchase the additional tools needed to drive rivets rather than squeeze them. I'll wait and see.
Riveted Horizontal stabilator bearings to rear bulkhead. Test fit the rear bulkhead bearings to Horizontal stabilator to determine best fit and number of spacer washers to be installed when the HS is finally installed.
