RV-9A Construction Log for the Elevators
Squeezing the right elevator trailing edge
This page built Saturday, August 9th, '03.I had a tough time with the rudder trailing edge. It looks great on one side and like a mogul run on the other. Looking back I did a lot wrong..experimenting with proseal for the first time, trying the back rivit angling technique, etc. I also discovered afterward that I wasn't reading the most up to date instructions.(duh!). I also did not put a slight bend in the rivet line as described early in the builders manual. This probably would help close the very edge of the skin against the AEX wedge.
The backrivet technique will produce the smoothest side on the side against the backrivet plate. As such this will probably still be the best way to do the elevators, ailerons, and flaps, because you have to get under the plane to see the rippled side. At least make the judges crawl under the plane to see the rough spots! P-)
I read Jim Cone's write up on the rudder trailing edge he worked on his RV-7. I thought it couldn't be any worse than I had done so I put the tools together and went to work. Todd Houg had used this method on his -9A as well and it's documented on his web page.
Pictures of the right elevator trailing edge squeezing process
Clecoed most of the trailing edge working from the middle to the ends.
Started the riveting process in the middle in order to keep working the metal to the ends and avoid any puckering between rivets.
Pulled out one cleco at a time and worked from the middle towards the ends
This reduced the puckering between rivets compared to the left side trailing edge.
The bottom side of the elevator with the aluminum angle that keeps it straight.
..nearing the ends.
A slight hook on the inboard end. With the angle clamped during the whole riveting sequence I'm not sure where this came from.
Smooth on the bottom side,
much better than I had done on the rudder.
Still some skin not completely closed against the wedge. I expect this is from not making the slight bend in the rivet line prior to riveting.
Conclusion:
I will probably re-skin the rudder at some point just because I think it looks so bad. It would fly just fine. The contrast between one side and the other is just silly looking in my opinion.As far as using this technique on the horizontal control surfaces, I'm leaning back toward the back riveting technique just because you can get that perfect looking surface on the top side and most won't see the bottom. Of course the more practice I get the better things look and that's part of the learning process. If it was all perfect it would look like someone was hired to do it! P-)