Hi all - The project is pretty well underway now. I figure I've gleaned so much from other people on here I ought to share what I've got so far. In the midst of priming parts in the left wing. I've taken a few pictures and posted them on flickr for those who are interested!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38622685@N04/
Matt
Restoration Pictures/Progress
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k2bords
Restoration Pictures/Progress
Last edited by k2bords on Tue Jul 07, 2009 16:40, edited 1 time in total.
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k2bords
Alright, finally figured how to make flickr behave with bbc so here goes:
Left wing after tear off and before disassembly. This wing was the worse of the two, I'm leaving the right wing together as a guide for assembling this one. It looks like a ground loop got the tip of this one at some point.
Mid tear down
Most of the parts from the left wing. I was amazed at how few parts there were (and how long it took to clean them
) in a whole wing once you've got them in a pile. I completely stripped all the old glue/primers/paints then cleaned the aluminum parts with alumiprep and stainles brush/scotch brite pad to remove corrosion. After that I alodined the aluminum and now I'm in the middle of priming the aluminum junk. Next will be to bead blast the steel stuff and shoot it. This all might be overkill but depending on the tide the airplane is stored below sea level, so I figure I can't be too careful.
The Astro touch up gun I'm using to shoot these parts with stitts ep-420 primer. This is my first time shooting anything and so far this gun has done a great job. I like that I can get the fan down pretty narrow so as not to waste a bunch of material on the holes in all those ribs!
My makeshift spray booth. Constructed from 1/2" conduit material, 2x4's for the base and plastic drop cloth material. There are filters on both the inlet and outlet. Seems to get the job done.
A pair of freshly shot ribs
The drying rack (and the impeccably organized work bench).
Left wing after tear off and before disassembly. This wing was the worse of the two, I'm leaving the right wing together as a guide for assembling this one. It looks like a ground loop got the tip of this one at some point.
Mid tear down
Most of the parts from the left wing. I was amazed at how few parts there were (and how long it took to clean them
) in a whole wing once you've got them in a pile. I completely stripped all the old glue/primers/paints then cleaned the aluminum parts with alumiprep and stainles brush/scotch brite pad to remove corrosion. After that I alodined the aluminum and now I'm in the middle of priming the aluminum junk. Next will be to bead blast the steel stuff and shoot it. This all might be overkill but depending on the tide the airplane is stored below sea level, so I figure I can't be too careful.The Astro touch up gun I'm using to shoot these parts with stitts ep-420 primer. This is my first time shooting anything and so far this gun has done a great job. I like that I can get the fan down pretty narrow so as not to waste a bunch of material on the holes in all those ribs!
My makeshift spray booth. Constructed from 1/2" conduit material, 2x4's for the base and plastic drop cloth material. There are filters on both the inlet and outlet. Seems to get the job done.
A pair of freshly shot ribs
The drying rack (and the impeccably organized work bench).
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k2bords
Re: Restoration Pictures/Progress
An update. The left wing is going back together, finally! Once all the parts are ready the process happens pretty quick I'm finding.
A question to all those who have experience here, I was trying to figure out an elegant way of drilling holes for rib nails in the 3 new ribs I've got. I'm going to be using the original sized nails (16ga I believe) and I'm worried that the nails won't just be able to puncture the .032 thick rib. The flange is so small it's awkward to get a drill in there against the rib. I've thought about either using a long drill bit that can bend a bit or I believe dremel makes a flexible worm drive type attachment. Suggestions?
After marking out rib locations, started sliding ribs on. Takes some time to be careful not to ding the finish on the spars.
The first couple compression struts and drag wires installed.
After the second day.
Aileron bell crank rebuilt with new bearing and hardware.
Aileron hinge. Ended up using the old bearings here, were still in good shape.
Outer aileron bay rib with new stiffner.
Hope everyone is having a great Fall!
Matt
A question to all those who have experience here, I was trying to figure out an elegant way of drilling holes for rib nails in the 3 new ribs I've got. I'm going to be using the original sized nails (16ga I believe) and I'm worried that the nails won't just be able to puncture the .032 thick rib. The flange is so small it's awkward to get a drill in there against the rib. I've thought about either using a long drill bit that can bend a bit or I believe dremel makes a flexible worm drive type attachment. Suggestions?
After marking out rib locations, started sliding ribs on. Takes some time to be careful not to ding the finish on the spars.
The first couple compression struts and drag wires installed.
After the second day.
Aileron bell crank rebuilt with new bearing and hardware.
Aileron hinge. Ended up using the old bearings here, were still in good shape.
Outer aileron bay rib with new stiffner.
Hope everyone is having a great Fall!
Matt
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Jerry Jackson
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 07:59
- Contact:
Re: Restoration Pictures/Progress
To drill nail holes in the wing ribs you could use a flexible drill bit fashioned from about 1 or 1 1/2 foot length of proper-diameter music wire. Sharpen the end to a flat spade shape. Chuck the other end in the drill. Use your other hand to bend and to steady the wire.
Jerry Jackson
7ECA
8T8
Jerry Jackson
7ECA
8T8
Jerry Jackson
San Antonio
7ECA 65TC
8T8
San Antonio
7ECA 65TC
8T8