Since the RV-8A sits on a tall tricycle gear, you need a step to get up onto the wing to enter the fuselage. Tonight I began the process of fitting the step. Before starting the step, I finished the last two pesky nutplates on the wing roots and then Vicki helped me put the last wing into the cradle. This freed up my work table space. Next, I used a template from the drawings to locate the hole where the step assembly will fit into the fuselage. After marking the hole, I drilled 4 large holes with a step drill bit. Then, I use the dremel tool with a cutting burr to finish the hole. After a test fit of the step, I had to enlarge the hole somewhat to get everything to fit. Then, I saw what so many other builders have discovered, that the weldment plate where the step is riveted to the fuselage skin does not fit the contours of the fuselage quite right. I then spent a considerable period of time bending the weldment plate in the bench vise to get it close. I also used a pair of vice grips to bend it even closer. I still have a bit of bending and fitting to do before it gets any where near right.
Using the step drill to start the hole for the step
Four holes to get things going
Finish the job with the dremel tool (actually a sears knock off) and a cutting burr
