Canopy Cutting & Gluing - This topic deserves its own web page. Click here to go to the page containing a complete discussion and photos for this topic.
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One Wing or Two - I highly recommend building the wings at the same time versus building one and then the other. There are many reasons for this, however the most important one for me is the motivation factor. I like to build things because I am interested in how things go together, how they function, and how they look after they are assembled. If I had to build the second wing separate from the first, my motivation for building the second wing would be very low. "Been there, done that!" Moreover, it's more efficient. You only pull out the tools once verses pulling them out, putting them away, cleaning up, and then pulling them out again. And you don't ready need at that much space. I built 2 wings in an area that was about 10' X 12' (See Picture).
Attend a Workshop - The EAA SportAir workshops and online videos can be very helpfull. I took the sheet metal class and gave me additional confidence in my riveting skills and ability to judge between a "acceptable" rivet and one that needs to be drilled out.
Riveting Tips - Two things that I think make a difference. One, make sure the component you're riveting is well supported. It can be difficult enough to hold the rivet gun and the bucking bar at the proper orientation, let alone trying to do it while the component is moving around. I know this sounds like common sense, and it is, but the sturdier the component is, the easier it is to drive a nice rivet. Two, find out what air pressure settings work well for your rivet gun. I find that 40 to 45 lbs of pressure works well for AN3 rivets, and 50 to 55 lbs works best for AN4 rivets.
Panel Labels - Add panel label write-up
One Wing or Two - I highly recommend building the wings at the same time versus building one and then the other. There are many reasons for this, however the most important one for me is the motivation factor. I like to build things because I am interested in how things go together, how they function, and how they look after they are assembled. If I had to build the second wing separate from the first, my motivation for building the second wing would be very low. "Been there, done that!" Moreover, it's more efficient. You only pull out the tools once verses pulling them out, putting them away, cleaning up, and then pulling them out again. And you don't ready need at that much space. I built 2 wings in an area that was about 10' X 12' (See Picture).
Attend a Workshop - The EAA SportAir workshops and online videos can be very helpfull. I took the sheet metal class and gave me additional confidence in my riveting skills and ability to judge between a "acceptable" rivet and one that needs to be drilled out.
Riveting Tips - Two things that I think make a difference. One, make sure the component you're riveting is well supported. It can be difficult enough to hold the rivet gun and the bucking bar at the proper orientation, let alone trying to do it while the component is moving around. I know this sounds like common sense, and it is, but the sturdier the component is, the easier it is to drive a nice rivet. Two, find out what air pressure settings work well for your rivet gun. I find that 40 to 45 lbs of pressure works well for AN3 rivets, and 50 to 55 lbs works best for AN4 rivets.