Brief Description: Aligning the top with the bottom Part 2
Now that I had the centerlines matched up, I went to get the front/back alignment. Again, using station J, I put the plumb-bob tip right at the front of the cross tube underneath and then made very minor adjustments to the front at station P. At this point I knew I had it made!
The last part is to adjust the vertical component and that was done with a soft mallet and a level, bumping the 2x4 cross pieces as I needed. Tomorrow, I’m going to make the hot bends necessary at stations N and M.
All that anal precision cutting and fitting of tubing paid off because everything aligned perfectly. I didn’t have to fudge, so now I don’t have to worry about “fudging” down the line and not remembering where I have to compensate. I know people reading this may laugh because finish welding will throw the fuselage out of alignment. But, at least I know I have a good starting point and I have the ability to make good components.
