Another big day. I started out by countersinking the left tank skin where it will attach to the rear tank baffle. You can't dimple it here because the tank baffle is too thick to dimple. I then fabricated the front tank attach plate from aluminum angle and drilled and clecoed it to the nose of the inner most tank rib. That same rib also needs to have a hole cut in it for the tank access plate.The tank access plate also holds the fuel sender and the fuel pickup fitting. First you have to cut out a 5-1/4" hole and then fit a doubler ring with plate nuts so that the tank access plate can be screwed to it with screws and a gasket.I needed a flycutter to cut such a large hole, so I called my good friend Jim Anderson. He happens to have one which is over 30 years old. That is good because it is more stout than the ones that I have seen made in this millenium. Well, I motored over to Jim's house with the two tank ribs (one for the left tank and one for the right). We measured and set up the fly cutter in his drill press and proceeded cautiously. A flycutter is an evil instrument that can snatch work (or fingers) up in a minute. We handled it like a live cobra. In a burst of caution, I let Jim cut the first hole. Smooth as silk. I cut the second rib. By the time I was finished, Jim had already cleaned up and deburred the first rib. Outstanding.I then took my holy ribs home and fitted the doubler ring. I then drilled and riveted platenuts to the doubler ring, cleaned up the shop and called it a night. I am close to the proseal (black death) stage now. Just a little more tank prep and I will be ready to take the plunge.
Jim Anderson flycutting the fuel tank access plate
