Building My Tail

[Greg Pixley]

I had an issue on an aileron with the hinge line not being perfectly straight after doing the 1/16" spacing along the skin. To prevent this from happening on the flaps, I've riveted a scrap hinge to a ruler. When the hinge is flat, the line is straight and I can check it along the way.

[psalter]

You can use that technique for both sides of the hinge. Makes things a lot easier.

Paul

[GlenNJ]

I did see that link. It's a great idea, and that's how I'll drill that half of the hinge. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was going to use the yardstick drill guide to pre-drill the other half of the hinge.

Glen

[rlweseman]

Have you guys seen this yet?
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=174&p=844&hilit=dri ... inges#p844

[RonFranck]

When I built my elevators I used an aluminum yardstick to create the rivet holes in my hinge. When it was time to drill the other side of the hinge that attaches to the HS I used the skins themselves. Don't updrill the skins until you have the hinges placed correctly on the HS. You will end up with a more true hole that way. With the hinge properly located under the flange and against the spar stiffener I drilled three or four holes along the hinge to maintain the correct relationship between the hinge and the HS stiffener. For the remaining holes I placed the hinge between the skin and the spar flange. That way the flange will support the hinge during the drilling operation. Remove, deburr and then relocate the hinge below the flange in preparation for riveting.
Also, if you try to pre-drill the rivet line (for the HS side) using the yardstick method prior to assembling the hinge to the HS there is a good chance you will run into interference between the hinge and the HS rear spar stiffener during assembly.

[Tony Spicer]

Glen,

Aluminum works fine. Charlie Becker in action: http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=1454906796

You can also use the skin itself as a guide for drilling the hinges.

Tony

[GlenNJ]

I going to go with the drilled out yard stick to line up, and drill the piano hinge holes. Should I make this tool out of a steel yard stick (so the constant drilling won't enlarge the holes), or is a aluminum yard stick good enough.

Glen

[RonFranck]

Thanks, Dan. I think I have it now. Don't know why I couldn't see that earlier. It just would not register in that gray matter between my ears. I've included this quick picture to show how it resides after being relocated per the plans.
Ron

001.jpg

[danweseman]

Ron, look at plans sheet P-T-HT-detail (T-13) and look at center right hand side . You will see a detail
P-T-HT-hinge half/P-T-HT skin alignment. this should clear things up. Basically center of the last hinge "lug" will be in the center of the second to last rivet hole from out board. If you installed the elevator hinge per plans the elevator will end 3/16 short of the outer face of the last HT rib (so 3/16 gap between the tail tip and elevator end).
Let Me know if you need more info
Dan

[RonFranck]

Perhaps these two pictures will clarify my questions.

skins.jpg

gap.jpg