Matt’s RV7 Build Log

–Riveted counterbalance rib and skin

–Continued to rivet rudder skeleton

–Began riveting rudder skeleton

Note: I managed to deform the bottom doubler rivets manufactured heads because of poor technique. I am gonna leave them alone for now, but will be asking a Tech Counsler about them.

–Cleaned all the parts with acetone
–Etched in 3:1 Alumiprep solution
–Primed with rattle can self etch primer

All the parts turned out great.

Reinspired by the Oshkosh trip, I washed the rudder skeleton parts tonight with soap and water. Tomorrow I plan to prime them.

1 hour

–Continued deburring and scuffing rudder parts

A lot of other things are going to get in the way of building this summer. Family vacations and Work are the biggest things on the horizon.Luckily I am still planning on flying to Oshkosh in July with my buddy Greg from Valley Fliers.That should be very motivating for the build.  

–Started deburring and scuffing rudder skeleton parts

–Finished match drilling rudder assembly

–Riveted stiffeners on the right skin
–Assembled rudder
–Match drilled skins and spars 

–Primed stiffeners
–Riveted stiffeners to left skin

I used Tempo Zinc Chromate on the stiffeners because I couldn’t find any self-etch locally. I does not seem to adhere well at all compared with the 7220. It’s good enough for these stiffeners but I won’t be using it again. 

The first few rivets for the left skin stiffeners were poorly driven because I couldn’t get the back rivet set to fit well against the stiffener flanges. I ground down the plastic on the back rivet set to get clearance against the stiffeners. After this the riveting work much better.