Initial Prep (Debur, Trim, Drill, and Cut) 7/28/23 - 0.3h 7/29/23 - 0.7h 8/2/23 - 0.2h 8/5/23 - 2.5h The torque tube assemblies are each built from 3 main sections plus caps on each end. The completed torque tubes will be installed in the wing root, and connect the pushrod system from the control stick to the pushrod system for the ailerons. Initial prep includes match and final drilling holes to assemble the parts, cutting the center tube to length, and preparing the parts for priming. The torque tubes, end bearings, and torque tube collars all need minor adjustments / deburring to ensure a tight, but manageable fit. Most of the adjustments happened on the torque tube collar, which is 7 5/16” piece of tube that connects the forward and aft torque tube assemblies. I discovered during the deburring and cleaning process, that I could wrap a clean cloth around a dowel rod, and insert the cloth / dowel into the tube with enough force to hold the torque tube collar. I then attached a drill to the dowel to spin the torque tube collar against a piece of sand paper and a Scotch Brite pad to adjust the diameter of the torque tube collar to fit in the torque tube ends. This turned out to be very effective, and made it easy to fine-tune the torque tube collars for a good fit. [Hole and Edge Deburring Tools, #40 Drill, #30 Drill, Drill Press, Electric Drill, Wooden Dowel Rod] Prime 8/5/23 - 0.6h 8/9/23 - 0.3h The parts for the torque tube assemblies are relatively short, and the rattle can primer spray works well to prime the inside of the tubes as well as the inside and outside of the torque tube collars. The bearing ends are already riveted in the forward and aft torque tube assemblies, so they are essentially primed in place. [Rust-Oleum Automotive Self Etching Primer (Green – Rattle Can)] Assemble 8/4/23 - 0.8h 8/10/23 - 0.3h The torque tube end bearings are attached to the forward and aft torque tube assemblies with two pulled rivets each (8 total). Pulled rivets are also used to plug two unused holes on each of the aft torque tube assemblies. I was actually short 2 rivets, so I had to “borrow” some from my fuselage kit. I'll order more rivets later if needed for the fuselage. The torque tube collars are also attached to the forward torque tube assemblies with AN-3 bolts, washers, and nuts. I used a white lithium spray-on grease on the torque tube collars before inserting them into the forward torque tube assemblies. The grease minimizes binding between the parts and provides additional corrosion protection to the primed parts as they rub together during assembly. The nuts are only hand-tight for now in case the assembly needs to come apart when it is installed in the wing. [Rivet Puller, White Lithium Grease]