After a false start on bending the tabs in the trim tab well of the left elevator, I fabricated a fatter wooden form for bending the tabs. Everything went well until I saw that the bottom tab cracked right at the bend. Rats! I knew this could happen.Plan B was to fabricate a mini end rib to close the space formerly closed by the bent tabs. Determining the shape of the rib was a challenge. I clecoed in the rear spar piece to see what shape it would take when all was said and done. Then I measured the space and fabricated a wooden block, over which I would form the mini rib. Using .030 aluminum scrap, I bent a rib by accomplishing the first bend in the vise and then using the wooden form to bang the last bend around the form. Then I saw that the thick aluminum cracked at the corner (in the same place the tab cracked). Rats again. Then I tried again with some .020 aluminum sheet. That worked great. Then I drilled some holes, deburred and dimpled the skin and mini end rib. Then I primered the rib. Voila! Now I am back where I should have been. Next, I will start on riveting the last elevator.
