Aug 28, 2020     Still spinning       Category: Propeller

Completed spinner by fabricating and installing the gap fillers (area behind the prop blades). Riveted in place. Began masking for the canopy fiberglass layups.

  Aug 26, 2020     Spinner again       Category: Propeller

Lost some sleep last night wondering if I had too much wobble in the spinner. It appeared to be less than 1/16", but was definitely visible. On the last RV12 I built I ended up redoing the spinner entirely over the same concern. However, I realized I still have not final drilled the mounting holes to final size (#19). This provided an opportunity to make final (very) small adjustments in the spinner/bulkhead fit. I found a way to determine lateral play that could easily detect <16" movement (see photo below). The spinner was clecoed in place. A small amount of wobble (~1/16") was detected. Several clecos were removed to allow for slight adjustments of the spinner and once satisfied with the position, the spinner was firmly clamped to the rear spinner bulkhead. While most of the previously drilled #30 holes were still aligned, a few were off by up to 1/32". Holes were drilled to final size and an 8-32 screw/nut was placed in each to maintain alignment. After completion I estimate wobble to be between 1/64 and 1/32". The prop/spinner was then disassembled and nut plates installed.

  Aug 25, 2020     Spinner       Category: Propeller

Aligned spinner per KAI. With a goal of <1`/16 inch "wobble" in the pitot tube, positioning is very critical. Once centered, the spinner was clamped to the rear spinner bulkhead and position rechecked. Magnets were then applied. Using #8 1/32 inch thick nylon washers to mark the hole location appeared to work better than the washers supplied with the magnets (less drag allowing the magnets to reliably pop into position). #30 holes were drilled. The spinner was then removed and rear bulkhead attachment pilot holes drilled. Lastly, the spinner was placed back on the prop and all rear attachment holes match drilled with #30 bit.

  Aug 24, 2020     Spinner       Category: Propeller

Cut spinner along marked lines. Used a straight edge to keep to the lines where possible. Sanded for initial fitting to prop. Then installed prop and marked final lines for the prop opening. Once completed the spinner easily slid over the blades and rested on the forward and rear spinner backplates. I've not used the magnet trick to drill holes... there seems to be a fair amount of play in the position of the external magnet/washer. Will hold off drilling until this is worked out.

  Aug 23, 2020     Pitot       Category: Propeller

Partially drilled dimple in pitot tube for retaining screw. Installed pitot block and inserted retaining screw. Safety wired the magnetic plug and oil pump assembly screws.