Date:	10-2-2010
Number of Hours:	2.50
Brief Description:	Preparing for Landing Lights
As I write this section I realize that I failed to get any pictures of how I cut out the middle of these frames. I will make an effort to get some images in the future. For now, let me say that I used a pneumatic nibbler to cut out the center holes. A pneumatic nibbler is a tool that has an air pressure driven piston that moves up and down to cut our crescent moon shaped bites or nibbles from a piece of sheet metal. It's pretty tough to cut 0.050-inch thick aluminum sheet using hand snips. I considered buying a hand-powered nibbler but found a pneumatic one at Aircraft Tool Supply (ATS) while checking prices on hand-powered ones. Went to You-Tube and found a video of a guy demonstrating it's use and I very quickly decided that I wanted one. Image 1 shows me filing the inside edge of one of the frames. The frame is held firmly to the table by a left over piece of the poplar I made the orginal lens form from. It holds the frme securely to the table and helps me file a straight line. Images 2 and three show how the frame edges are progressivly files smooth and straight,