an airplane shape

5.5 hours
Progress today started off slow but rapidly transitioned as parts became a frame and then got skinned.  It is amazing how rigid the structure becomes as it is assembled.  Next I will disassemble the parts, dimple the skins along with the underlying attachments to the ribs, spray a bit of primer on the few parts that are not alumaclad and then begin to rivet.

the horizontal stabilizer skin is quite thick.  this assembly was a lot of fun and very rewarding to complete.

an airplane shape!

laying out the parts for initial fit up 

the first skin gets clecoed on

lots of clecos to align everything 

very rigid as a structure

almost ready to take it all apart :)

horizontal stabilizer spars

5 hours
Completed the fabrication and assembly of the front and rear spars in the horizontal stabilizer.  Looking forward to preparing and fluting the ribs and fitting the skin.

it was really great putting the piles of specialty tools to use... time rocketed by as i made great progress today

clecos!

putting a work bench to use putting the horizontal stabilizer main spar together

the workbench has a drill board on it and is covered with paper for taking notes

powder coated steel parts where strength is critical

rivet squeezer getting ready for first use

the FIRST rivets!

fitting parts

fabricating the trailing spar reinforcement angle from raw stock 

the final product 

now it gets drilled and fitted to the spar channel 

front and rear horizontal spars all fitted up

photo for the man

the shop has transformed from wood to metal

1 hour
Began construction of the rear horizontal stabilizer spar with initial layout and shaping of the reinforcement bars.  The excitement of construction is self infecting... my goal is to maintain a level of anticipation for the next day at the shop that will not wane significantly.  I plan to spend time in the shop Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday with planning, review, and other life needs in-between.

nearly all of the woodworking is complete... i celebrated by starting construction on the rear spar

the shop is up and running! 

these lights are very versatile

very pleased with the benches and work areas

long reach dimpler

empennage plans

parts storage 

tools

the shop!

love this air compressor

three benches complete

We made great progress setting up the shop this week.  Tomorrow we are off to Eugene Oregon for an introduction to RV construction at Synergy Air.

finally a quiet shop vacuum cleaner... what a concept!

Missy sanding legs

we had enough wood to make a nice desk

also made three of these stackable benches 

my Missy

getting pretty close to be able to start building!

let's build another bench

Building in the shop this week has been a great joy!

another workbench complete

sturdy bench :)

first use of the air drill

building benches

Building things to build things... the load of wood packed into the mighty subaru was a quite a sight :)
28 2x4s and 4 sheets of 4x8 plywood cut up into tops along with trim and miscellaneous bits!

i hate sawdust

pretty nice bench Mrs. McDonough

table top

legs

braces for shelf

ta da

moved into the shop

The space is fantastic.  It is more of a drive than ideal; finding rental space that allows workshop activity has been more difficult than anticipated.

whenever i move into empty space it is a bit depressing... the life is gone, even though the potential is filled with hope the emptiness is oppressive.  soon i will fill the space with life and action.

the shop

lucky number 21 :)

the biggest oiled compressor that I could get that plugs into a standard outlet