May 19, 2024     26-10 steps 1-5, started 7 and finished 12 - (2.5 hours)       Category: 26MFuLoStr

Did steps 1-5 with the fuse as shipped, in normal position. Then got the engine hoist out, and started jacking up the fuse on 2x4s, so that I could rotate it 90 degrees and not have the spar hit. 4 2x4s did the trick, and got them placed on the front and back, then rotated by hand slowly.

With bottom access, did lines for the cut out, and used the angle grinder to get a rough cut done. Also did the #27 holes from the bottom. Waiting on some nibbler tools to finish up the cutouts and clean everything up.

  May 19, 2024     09-23 steps 1-5 - (1.3 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

09-23 finished the left elevator outboard close out, again did step 2 after 3 so I had access. No other issues noted.

  May 18, 2024     09-22 steps 6-7 and 09-23 steps 6-10 - (2 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

09-22 finished right elevator inboard close out, did drill the 3rd hole in the do not rivet yet to #33, so might have to oops rivet. We'll see how it rivets with the normal size.

09-23 finished right elevator outboard close out and front spar, no issues. Though watch out for the new rev1 instructions, step 2 and step 7 should be after step 3 and step 8, otherwise you might not be able to open the skin very well to get access to rivet the inboard top aft rivets on the counterbalance skin and top skins. I switched these steps and everything worked nicely.

  May 17, 2024     09-21 and 09-22 steps 1-5 - (2.3 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

Checked the sealant and it cured well.
09-21 Moved on to attaching the front spars and riveting per plans. Did a lot of double checking to make sure everything was correct, and it was and riveted per plan. Did rivet left side top front inboard 3-3.5 rivets and drilled one out, they are not riveted in plans. No structure behind, so leaving them.
09-22 Continued riveting per plan, left elevator root ribs inboard close out. Did do the top aft flange to rear spar twice, rivet is ok, but not great, hard to access, did with flat sets. E921 on left side is also ok, top rivet is worse then bottom, but are within specs.

  May 11, 2024     Inspection of 25-01 to 26-09 - (2.3 hours)       Category: 26MFuLoStr

Did step by step inspection of sections 25 and the start of 26 on QB fuse, did not do any torque checks on bolts, will do that later.

  May 11, 2024     9-20 step 8-9 - (1 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

Used the AN fittings and tubing with the sealant gun and did the EL rear spar sealant fillet. Went pretty well, no too much of a mess, added in a few places to the fillet, went slow to didn't have much extra, used about half a tube, so that's about 3oz out of 6oz, maybe little more like 3.5 oz. Use gloves and put paper towels out to catch and wipe up anything outside quickly so it doesn't get spread around.

  May 10, 2024     09-20 step 7 - (0.5 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

Made a tube for the elevator sealant. Used a AN819-6D, AN818-6D, and AN816-6D fitting and the 3003 tubing make the piece to screw into the sealant cartridge. I'm going to have to practice flaring, as the first was too tall/wide, second was still a little bit wide, but nut went over it, but not cleanly. Ok for sealant use, but not for any aircraft service.

  May 07, 2024     Arrival of QB fuse! - (2 hours)       Category: QB Fuselage

ABF delivered, no signs of damage on the crates. Started inventory.

  May 05, 2024     09-20 steps 1-6 - (1.8 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

Steps 1-3, used the special bar and gun to do rivets. All did fine except for one redo on the right side top right side, bar slipped, redo good. Also drilled out the left side left btm 6 rivets, as I did those without seeing I needed to keep them out for now.

Steps 4-6, used a mixture of the pneumatic puller and the hand puller, on the left side was able to use the pneumatic more, as I uncleco'd and was able to get the fwd aft rivet hole. Then went back and used the hand puller. Still tough, but was able to get all of them without any drill outs needed.

Ready for the sealant, awaiting a Spruce order to make that easier.

  May 05, 2024     09-19 steps 1-3 - (1.5 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

back riveted with c frame, also went back and prepped the nut plates and riveted those with squeezer

  May 04, 2024     09-18 steps 1-6 - (2 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

Riveted the hinge with squeezer, rest of spar with gun and bar, then c frame for the back riveting

  May 04, 2024     09-17 steps 1-3 - (2 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

Riveted all with squeezer

  May 04, 2024     09-16 step 1-4 - (1.8 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

Riveted all parts with squeezer

  May 04, 2024     09-15 step 6 and prime - (1.8 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

primed with ezcoat

  May 03, 2024     ABF payment Category: QB Fuselage

  May 03, 2024     09-15 prekote - (1.8 hours) Category: 9-EL-2

Washed with prekote

  Apr 29, 2024     QB fuse shipped Category: QB Fuselage

QB fuse shipped via ABF, delivery Tuesday 5/7

  Apr 28, 2024     09-15 step 1 and scuff-deburr - (1.8 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

Did the skin sanding for the foam ribs, and then did scuffing of all pieces for prime prep.

All elevator parts ready for prekote and prime.

  Apr 28, 2024     09-13 steps 2-8 & 10 - (1.5 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

made trip tab, countersink went fine, no issues with steps.

  Apr 28, 2024     09-03 step 1 - (0.5 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

glued and cut the foam ribs

  Apr 21, 2024     09-13 steps 1-2 - (0.5 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

Started working the trim tab, deburr, dimpled #40 and cleco'd. Also did the marking of the trim tab trailing edge on both sides.

  Apr 21, 2024     09-09 step 6-8 - (3 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

Broke the trailing edges, then dimpled, did all four skins, including edge deburr. Used the drdt and then the squeezer with a reduced diameter dimple on the trailing edges.

Did countersink with the special #40 countersink and the 14 holder for the trailing edges.

  Apr 20, 2024     09-11 - (0.5 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

used squeezer and dimpled holes with reduced diameter dimple die to prevent scraping of any sides.

  Apr 20, 2024     09-12 - (0.3 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

checked the flanges, all looked good.

make the trim tab horn, cut on band saw, finished on belt sander with a block of wood keeping the top flush.

Will use the E-1401 from EL#1 as it is not LCP.

  Apr 20, 2024     09-10 steps 1-5 - (1 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

used squeezer and reduced diameter die.

Also countersunk the trim tab area on the left rear spar.

  Apr 20, 2024     09-09 - (2.3 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

drilled the #30 holes in the close out tab, did not use the rib inside, but went slow, all looks good.

final drilled the elevator horns, tapped into place with rubber hammer for a good fit in the #40 clecos to ream the #30 holes.

marked all parts, deburred all parts

Used squeezer and dimpled the E-913s

  Apr 20, 2024     09-08 steps 1-5 - (1.5 hours)       Category: 9-EL-2

Lots of final drilling and assembly, including putting the top skins on both sides.

  Apr 20, 2024     09-07 steps 1-6 (redo) - (1 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

Redo of the trim tab hinge, this one is good. Travel is nice and ends were confirmed before trimming.

  Apr 20, 2024     09-03-4 step 3& 1-2,4-5 - (1 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

Because of the mistake on the trim tab hinge, I went back and did the close out tabs. Used my MDF to clamp and wood block and rubber hammer. Came out very well.

Also redid the trim tab hinge, drilled the pilot holes.

  Apr 19, 2024     09-07 steps 1-3 (mistake) - (.8 hour)       Category: 9-EL-2

placed the hinge one hole to the left, and cut the excess, so have to redo. Had an extra piece of hinge from EL#1.