Canopy Part 3 Gluing

 Got the canopy glued to the frame today. Used the Sikaflex method as outlined by VAF’s Wirejock in an earlier post.

Like everything else the fear was worse than the event. Yes it was a mess, I think I got some of the black stuff in my hair because I have a grey spot that disappeared after I was done gluing.

I used the 3m fine line painters tape. This worked out well. I tried to add a layer of electrical tape on top like Wirejock recommended, but this wouldn’t stick. After prime I pulled off the 3m tape and then Re-taped with electrical tape to make it easier to make a fillet. This didn't work. It would have been better to just pull the 3m tape after prime and leave the primer’s edge untapped.

I set the frame upright, added a bead of Sikaflex to the frame’s Spine, front and rear bows with the spacers, then dropped the canopy on top. After it was position and clamped, I added the side plywood to shape the sides and then added a bead between the side bows and canopy. I did not use the side canopy supports.

The canopy is clamped to the table so it wouldn't fall off the bench if bumped. Now I get to wait 48 hours in bliss thinking I did an excellent job. I am sure reality will set in after a few days when I unclamp and get a good look at the bonds.

 

Canopy Part 2 - The Big Cut

Today was a warm day, perfect for canopy work.

This weekend was all about cutting the canopy down to size. The on-line experts suggested to use the Dremel Max Saw. This worked out very well. However, they recommended the SM500 plastic blade, I found this to be a really coarse cut. I chose to use the SM510 metal blade. This blade is just like the cut off wheel Van's supplies in the kit, but for the Max Saw. With this blade, if the cuts are made carefully, there is very little clean up sanding. I took everything down to 240 grit after the cut, before moving the canopy.

The cutting wasn't as bad as others have made it out to be.It is only a (very expensive) piece of plastic. It isn't like it is a Ferrari or anything. Like everything else on this build, I was stressing over it and it turned out to be not worthy. With all the others writing of their experience, that background helped a lot. (Thank you)

I taped the canopy to the frame for a fit check using wire as a Sika spacer. Seems I have a few more trim cuts to make, so I figure another whole day in the sun and then it will be ready to bond.

I am thinking of not using the trim piece that sits on the outside, down the middle spine. It seems with the Sika bonding method, there is no need for this strip. But
I think I will need to bond on a thrust washer for the handle thou.

Canopy Part 1b

So, today was a good day. I managed to wrestle the canopy frame into submission and I think it fits well. In total, I think a good 8 hours with a 1/2" and 3/4" conduit bender should be a reasonable time to allocate for this task.

I started with the front hoop, and then did the rear hoop today. The rear hoop requires much less force; I over bent and had to unbend several times. My only advice is to realize the levelness of the top horizontal portion is caused by the side bends. The front hoop and the side rails form a rigid structure that the rear hoop bends around. The original fit of the rear hoop was really close, I just had to do a minor tweak. I did the tweak and the shape of the rear hoop became a disaster. I freaked out for about a  minute and did the opposite of what I thought it needed and it all came back in line. I used reverse psychology and the metal tubes fell for it. Gosh I am good.

In summary, I started with the side rails (no adjustment needed), did the front hoop, and then the rear hoop. I think this order worked out well.

I used wedges under the side tubes and that was good. This allowed me to put on, and take off, the canopy frame all day as I adjusted the bends.

I am saying it is done. I will check the dimensions and fit tomorrow just to be sure it hasn't decided to spite me and regress to its prior mental state.

Here is a picture showing the wedges I used. I could not imagine doing this with the tracks in place.

I will install the tracks next and then onto the big cut.

This summer,
the hardest part of the build seems to be.... summer. Too many beaches to visit and too many hikes to take with friends, but we'll get through it.

Finishing Kit, Canopy Part 1a

So I have been working on the fitting the canopy frame, the first step on the canopy tasks. I had taken a month off to do yard work and whatever else I could find to avoid the canopy stuff. Finally I decided it needed to get done while the weather was warm.

The canopy frame was fairly close to perfect from the factory. I had to tweak 6 spots in the front hoop. I have a little more to go in the back hoop. But the back hoop requires less force and is already  really close.

 I took the advice of others and will cut the canopy front tubes, and will put the canopy track on, after the frame is bent. I found it was much easier to do this without the tracks being on; I just used a wood space under the front tubes to raise the canopy frame up to about the right spot.

Here is how I bent the front hoop use a 3/4" conduit bender from the precision tool isle at Lowe's:

I then measured the height of the gap to make sure each side was even. I found I had to take out a slight bend on one side to make it even.

Here is the overall fit of the frame. The top height is not correct because the frame has not been sized for the track rollers.

Like everything else on this build, I stressed over this, but once I got into it, it wasn't so bad. Just keep swimming- Dora

Finishing Kit -Part 1 of 100

So it is time to start the finishing kit. First up is the canopy. it seems nothing has caused more trepidation from those who have gone before.

So I dive in.

The roll bar is attached first using special spacers. These have to be drilled to match the holes in the canopy rails. I drilled a pilot hole first, then flipped the spacers over and drilled the final hole from the "backside". I did this to avoid the drill bit wondering due to the "split level" front side.

The rest of the roll bar install went per plans. I did have to use a 0.025" shim under the left side to get a good fit, as mentioned in the plans.

I started fitting the canopy slider tracks too. I am installing the Supertracks from Flyboys that allow the canopy to open up farther. I order the longer RV 8 track spacer to avoid a split in the track. The trouble I ran into is bending the curve. Turns out using a simple wood block and the Armstrong method, I was able to bend it to match the full size template, no problem.

Drawing the center line on the spine spacer was a bit tricky, but I found I could use a carpenters level to draw a line holding the square against one side, then draw another line holding the square against the other side of the piece. This produces two lines on the part, with the exact center being between the two lines. In the picture below you can see the longer spine spacer,and looking closely, you can see the double line markings.

Things are slowing down now that the beach is open. But I can't let summer get in the way (too much) so I am determined to keep on making progress everyday.

Calling it- fuselage done

Well, the last lines of the fuselage kit's instructions have been completed; I am calling the fuselage kit done. It doesn't look like much progress, but a ton of work and learning.

I added a doubler for the ELT antenna. It sounds simple, but took longer than expected. Everything else went OK. I had a really good bucking bar helper; I am not sure how anyone could do this alone.
It took me a little less than two years to complete the fuse. Seems for many others, the slow build fuse takes twice as long as the wings. It seems I am no exception to this rule.

I was able to attached the side braces on the bench before installing the turtle deck; I can't image doing this on the plane. Those elevator supports I built several years ago really came in handy.

Next up, the finishing kit, starting with the canopy.

Tail Wiring

So I am trying real hard to get the turtle deck on the tail. But first I decided I would install the wiring to the tail and the ELT mount; basically as much as I could before covering up the tail section. I really dread the thought of having to crawl in the tail to do systems installation.

So the pitch autopilot servo is in and wired, and the Canbus to the tail mounted GMU11 magnetometer is installed. I also installed a DTM connector in the tail for the electric elevator trim.
Lastly I installed the ELT mount kit from Vans. Of course there was a slight mod so that the mounting hole pattern would fit both of the most popular ELTs.

All that's left is the ELT wiring, and the doubler for the ELT antenna, then I think I can install the tail's top skin, or turtle deck.