Templates For the Aileron Control Horn and Ribs

 

I decided to be more careful this time.  I've been using small blue tick marks to help me find my pencil marks on the galvanized steel, which I like for templates.  Depending on the light the pencil mark can be hard to see.  I confused myself on the last try by where I had made the blue marks.

I still think it makes drawing the actual lines much easier.

I used the optical center punch to mark all my holes and compass centers.

For holes I draw a small circle around the punch mark.  

For compass centers I put 4 tick marks, kind of like center lines.

I have this cheap plastic compass I like for most big curves. The pattern of holes and markings are set up based on the circle diameter, in 0.025" increments, so I rarely use my conventional compass.  It really works very well with my 0.5 mm lead pencil.

I drew the outline and 3 bolt holes first then added all the rivet holes.

After cutting and filing the outline I punched all the holes.

There are 3 pieces which all rivet together so the holes were transferred from the horn template to the other 2 templates.  The horn gets riveted between the 1/4" spruce rib on one side and a piece of 3/4" spruce, stiffener on the other side.  The rivets are Copper Rivets used for saddle and harness making.

The rib template can be used for the full length root rib as well as the 2 piece rib at the control horn.  I'm also using it to make a small rib jig for all the aileron Light Ribs, stick and gussets.

The control horn template can also be used to make the doubler which gets welded on to the forward end of the control horn.

Making Progress!

Finally Back to Making Things - Well Almost

 The storm of January 3rd has kept me busy cutting up fallen/damaged trees for months.  I'm finally done with trees for this year.

I like to think I'm a good draftsman, but I've drawn this template on steel 3 times to get it right.

When I got it finished I decided to lay it on the drawing just as a final quality check.  I'm glad I did.  Some how I've located 2 holes incorrectly.  Pretty sad given I'm laying it out from my own drawing.

The good news is I'm having fun, even if I get to do this one more time.  Still, better than wrecking some expensive 4130 steel.

Back to the workshop.