Spar crate contents, meticulously packed as usual by Vans.
Up to the rafters go the spars...for about 3 days. Should have read the kit assembly instructions more closely and I would have skipped this step.
One of the first steps was to final drill and tap for the wing tie down bolts....both top and bottom. Not yet sure why.
Using a long bit to align holes in wing spar fittings that will attach ribs.
Back to the same old rigors of prep for priming. These fittings are drying after their scuffing.
When I went to reorder my chromate-free, water reducible epoxy primer, I was told that PPG had bought out (and killed off) Deft, the manufacturer and their product line. A quick shopping trip to Ebay netted me some old (1.5 years) product in a two gallon kit that had been well stored by the vendor. If you believe the picture accompanying the ad, the guy has a ton of it in a warehouse. So far, it has worked out great...no problems mixing/spraying the stuff. I should add that this paint and catalyst is a "kissing cousin" of the previous Deft product I used on the fuselage and tailcone, with the exception that it is NOT chromate-free! I have been very careful with regard to ventilation as I have been spraying in the wide open backyard as this time of year in south Texas is pretty much bug and leaf free. Yes, of course I am still using a respirator and eye goggles as well.
Below is a shot of the rear spar air drying after receiving its primer. Trees do a great job of providing suspension of the object for easy access.
The paint table and its contents after spraying.
The next batch of parts to prepare for priming were the ribs. Below is a shot of the Harbor Freight scruffy ball drill attachment and the etching solution, still wet. The scruffy ball worked great and saved my appendages from a lot of stress and strain. I still had to do some hand scruffing, but it was manageable.
Ribs cleaned and ready to shoot.
Flaperon ribs before...
...and after priming.
Rib attach fitting riveted onto the spar.
Lots of countersinking on the front spars.
Preparing for the attachment of doublers on the front spars.
Solid rivets, countersunk on the end and universal elsewhere.
Flaperon hinge bracket gets solid rivets as well.
