A Saturday at The Riveting Event

So, Dan H. was well and able to come over to rivet on Saturday.  We went to breakfast at Linda's Restaurant around the corner and had many cups of coffee.  Christine took photos and videos of the event.  Below is a short iMovie of the more dramatic rivet setting moments. 

BWW

Electric Bike

OK.  Last weekend did not go as planned.  No rivets driven. No work on plane.  So, I set my mind to another project that has been sitting around the garage for three years.  Completing my electric bike kit.  

Story goes, I bought a 26" electric wheel and battery kit for my bike, but my bike had a 700 C rim and wheel.  The electric wheel sat while I stewed. 

While stewing (until well done I might add!) I started building the dream.  (Mustang II)  I looked high and low for a cheap frame to put the wheel on.  Couldn't find anything worthy of the electric wheel.  So, when all fell apart for my riveting plans last Saturday, I got on the hunt for a bike again.

I looked for used and new.  By-passed quite a few frames.  K-mart, Walmart, Sears, and even the local bike shop did not have what I was looking for and offered no support.  Christine said let's look a Tarjei (Target).  I found a fairly inexpensive frame to "experiment" with.

It is not the best set-up for the electric wheel.  The frame and hardware are kind of wimpy.  Still trying to figure out what to do with all the wiring!  But the ride tonight exceeded my expectations!  The bike doesn't like to go 20 mph, but I liked it.  I have some adjustments to make, but I should be able to ride it to work when it warms some more.  Should be able to ride safely between May and September.  (More light)

36 Volt, Brushless Hub mounted Motor

Three 12 Volt, 12 amp hr, lead acid gel-cells.  For three years old they still work pretty good.  Suspect they will fail sooner than expected.

Here she is ready for tomorrow.  Oh, wait, I will be riveting in the morning.

Later,
Brian

Flap Hinge Riveted to CS

 OK, getting ready for some major riveting this weekend.  I have a lot of clean up to complete prior to Dan H. arriving.  The garage is a mess with the aftermath of a long winter.

Tomorrow promises to be a warm day of 60+ weather and I will take full advantage of it to warm the garage.

This week, after work, I was able to complete assembly of the flap hinge to the trailing edge of the center section.  I needed to get this area done prior to my push for riveting to occur this weekend.

I used solid AN426AD-3-4.5 to connect the lap hinge to the trailing edge of the center section lower skin.  I used Cherry Max 4-4 pull rivets to connect the flap reinforcement to the CS Spar.

It came out pretty good and structurally sound.

When I completed the hinge installment, I started Clecoing together the tail cone, bulkheads, and foreword fuselage for final riveting.

Here is a shot of the baggage floor Clecoed in place.

I'm not sure how far we will get this weekend.  This will be a big push forward and when this riveting is completed, 75% of the fuselage will be complete.  Will I ever get the plane out of the fixture and onto the gear?

BWW