May 08, 2022     Section 14 - Wing Ribs 8 - (3.8 hours)       Category: Sec 14 Win R

Finished installing the ribs on the right wing. By doing 1 rib at a time and working form middle to outboard and inboard the process took half of the time. That technique also allowed to install the rib flange forward rivets without having to remove bolts. All bolts are torqued and sealed.

https://youtu.be/Q9VHYI-FUTY

  May 05, 2022     Section 14 - Wing Ribs 7 - (7.4 hours)       Category: Sec 14 Win R

Three working sessions on this entry. on the first one I finished Section 13 which was missing to install the aileron pushrod brackets. Following, worked on wing rib attachment starting by identifying the bolts, sizes and placements. Clecoed all ribs and started torquing bolts per instructions. I realized it would be easier to do 1 rib at a time, working from inboard to outboard instead of torquing all bolts and then installing rivets. there is not much room for installing rivets so the space to better position yourself is much appreciated.

Vans mention that the inner ribs must have bolts moved to access the rivets. They mean the 426 3.5 rivets that goes on main spar flange. Not the rivet to the spar web. For the Left wing I will rivet those before torquing bolts. Worth to mention it is really hard to torque this bolts. the torque is very low so you have to be very careful to land on precise measures.

https://youtu.be/eqK6MOhmiQQ

  May 02, 2022     Section 14 - Wing Ribs 6 - (6.4 hours)       Category: Sec 14 Win R

Long prekoting and priming session. I have washed all parts with prekote using a scoth brite brown pad. 10 pads actually, as the ribs are full of nooks and corners that are not sharp but wear the pad quickly. The numbering system worked like a charm. Sharpie goes away with prekote wash and I would have lost the order of the ribs if I hadn't numbered the hangers I used to set them to dry.

I was a little out of practice on the air brush pistol and had the mixture too rich to start. the J-channels were a little overspray but no big deal. I have now all parts for section 13 and 14 ready to assemble except for the pushrod bearing bracket which is on backorder.

Primer used: 700ml

https://youtu.be/DyLMyEGtmLE

  Apr 29, 2022     Section 14 - Wing Ribs 5 - (1.2 hours)       Category: Sec 14 Win R

This was quick work session to do two things. Test my primer, and prepare the replacement rib W-1011L that arrived. The process on the rib took the same steps as others and it went all smooth this time. All ribs are ready to go. The primer expiration date varies from 1/22 to 1/23, depending on storage temperature being higher then 100-110 F. I am pretty sure mine was always below 90s. with some sparks maybe at the summer. So I decided to paint a test part. It turned out great, stiff, great appearance. I think it is perfectly usable. Test sample on pics 78.2-4. Now we are ready to prime all Section 13 and 14 parts.

https://youtu.be/34Gj4bNcg90

  Apr 28, 2022     Section 14 - Wing Ribs 4 - (5.2 hours)       Category: Sec 14 Win R

Still working on the wing ribs. Match drilled all front flange holes and drilled bolt holes on flanges. Disassembled everything and deburred. I have marked my ribs and mains spar matching locations with numbers from 1 to 28 to make it easier to put them back together on the correct place. Sharpie will fade away after the prekote clean/wash and priming session.
With that, I then did the system holes on the ribs. enlarging holes and creating new ones. Pretty straight forward. Now I think I am ready to do the first priming batch but I want to wait for the rib I ruined at least. With some luck I will get the back ordered parts soon. Parts people said they should be sending them out in a week or so.
One thing I have to check with Van's support is the step 1 on page 14-04. They ask us to drill a #19 hole on rib 1011R/L for ground hog. But there is a hole there already. on the exact same location. Maybe lack of updates on instructions...? I will also ask Van's about the Service Bulletin that I have to incorporate on the build. I feel like it is almost time to do it and I am not quite sure how it will be incorporated.

https://youtu.be/OlO6EOvtRQs

  Apr 27, 2022     Section 14 - Wing Ribs 3 - (5.2 hours)       Category: Sec 14 Win R

On this session I have worked on the flap hinges and pre assembled the trailing half of the wings. It is really easy to confuse the ribs types and positions so I decided to install them all and I will ad a tab with position information so I don't mix them up during washing and priming steps. I also trimmed of the aft flange of rib 1012. Turned out great using small Dremel cutting disk on a wood block support. Found that some of the backordered parts are needed for this step so I will have to come back to this section in the future. More work but manageable. Almost ready to have the first big priming session and worried if primer is still good. I think I will be testing that on a next work session.

https://youtu.be/RTjZdvfStvU

  Apr 26, 2022     Section 14 - Wing Ribs 2 - (5.3 hours)       Category: Sec 14 Win R

On this session I've finished cleaning the last few wing ribs, did the fluting on wing rib flanges and also the dimpling. Debur wheel still works. Even with the bite. Thankfully no more issues no parts ruined. Vans already shipped a new wing rib. (lucky to have them in stock) After cleaning up parts, adjusting flange angles, fluting and dimpling the wing rib is already much stiffer. super nice to see how it transforms. Looking forward to see some wing shapes.

https://youtu.be/ejRFxUppmDE

  Apr 25, 2022     Section 14 - Wing Ribs 1 - (5.5 hours)       Category: Sec 14 Win R

On section 14 we put together the aft wing ribs starting by removing vinyl and cleaning and deburring the parts. As I was almost done with the deburring, one of the ribs caught in the deburring wheel and the part was totally ruined... The deburring wheel was also damaged by a half an inch deep cut. The bite looks like wont interfere much but I am afraid it may cause another piece to be caught. I ordered a new wheel and rib replacement.

Also on this work session I did the inventory of the missing parts. Still waiting on the backordered items though.

https://youtu.be/zxSRsmWcmpA