Category Archives: Rudder

MY FIRST MILESTONE!!!

Sometimes building absolutely sucks… especially when its hot outside, you don’t understand something and are afraid of screwing up a part, AND you have a bunch of holes to debur!  BUT!!! It is ALL worth it on nights like this! … Continue reading

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Finally Finished the Rudder…

Damn, this thing seems like it took FOREVER! I un-clecoed the AEX trailing edge wedge, cleaned out some of the Proseal, put my rivets in, taped them, and started setting them per the plans. I was pretty nervous the whole … Continue reading

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Get the edge straight!

Started the final assembly on the leading edge.  It was a bit wavy by itself (which you don’t want!)  I got a peice of 1/16″ x 3/4″ x 8ft aluminum angle, and did just like I did before, drill into … Continue reading

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Countersinking…

Today I started countersinking the AEX wedge which will be part of the trailing edge of the Rudder. Basically, I copied Brad’s (www.rv7factory.com) idea of claming this to the table, drilling holes into the wood, and using clecos to hold … Continue reading

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Rudder Skeleton…

Began constructing the Rudder skeleton tonight.  Got the spar, ribs, braces, etc riveted in.  Also got the counterweight drilled, countersunk, the rib dimpled, and installed today.  Since everybody seems to post a picture of their counterweight, I’ll do the same!

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Back at it again…

After getting the official word from Vans on my edge distance issue, we are good to go. They said build on, the material is thick enough to maintain strength! So over the last couple of days I have spend very … Continue reading

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Back to waiting (Edge distance issue)

After making the repair on the R-710, looking at the part after clecoing in place, I am concerned about edge distance for the affected area.  The plans are calling for AN426AD3-4′s which require a 0.156″ edge distance.  In the spot … Continue reading

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My Repair

Well here is my repair work from a solution a fellow builder gave me… I’m gonna roll with this and build on!

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Another oops…

While trimming the R-710 I was cutting away the hatched area per the plans using my straight snips and made the mistake of closing them all the way and cutting all the way to the tip, which distorted and somewhat … Continue reading

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Rudder Skeleton

More work on the rudder today… feels good to be back at it, sweating all evening in the garage.   Today I finished dimpling the skins, and riveted the stiffiners to the skins.  Then construction of the skeleton began, which … Continue reading

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