EAA Sheet Metal Workshop

18 Dec 2010   sportair   eaa   prep   workshop   firsts

First weekend of December, I took my first “real” step in starting the build process.   While not directly building my airplane, I did get the opportunity to learn how the tools & techniques work for when I start building my aircraft.   The EAA, working with Aircraft Spruce, sponsors SportAir workshops teaching different aspects of experimental aircraft, from composites to riveted sheet metal to electrical.   I took the basic sheet metal course this time.

After a couple hours of classroom time learning about the tools, rivets, and basic techniques, the class proceeded out to the workshop to start practicing with the real things.

  <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-PZH7kQh/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Learning project 1 cleco’d together” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-PZH7kQh/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Learning project 1 cleco’d together” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-83ZNPrC/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Dimpling and countersink in progress for flush rivets” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-83ZNPrC/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Dimpling and countersink in progress for flush rivets” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-2CLMwHK/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Ready to Rivet” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-2CLMwHK/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Ready to Rivet” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-xBphcr4/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“All riveted together - couple oops, but not bad” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-xBphcr4/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“All riveted together - couple oops, but not bad” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-FP947Rv/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Universal rivets” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-FP947Rv/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Universal rivets” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-vmXThms/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Flush rivets - some holes were a touch deeper than they should have been” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-vmXThms/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Flush rivets - some holes were a touch deeper than they should have been” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-8n3hfPc/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Forming rib for second project (wing section)” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-8n3hfPc/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Forming rib for second project (wing section)” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-rLHLnjv/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Finished rib” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-rLHLnjv/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Finished rib” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-jnTL5gd/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Skeleton assembled” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-jnTL5gd/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Skeleton assembled” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-DJpGH9d/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Skin stiffener” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-DJpGH9d/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Skin stiffener” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-Jng5tGX/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Finished wing section with control surface” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-Jng5tGX/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Finished wing section with control surface” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-bwdsVsn/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Finished project” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-bwdsVsn/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Finished project” “> </a>   <a href=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-NXCnBsd/0/XXL/img.jpg” data-lightbox=”1” title=”“Finished project” “> <img src=”https://nitehawk.smugmug.com/i-NXCnBsd/0/Th/img.jpg” title=”“Finished project” “> </a>  

Definitely a weekend well spent.   Learned a ton, and have a lot more confidence in getting started with my project!