Today, I finished riveting and sealing all of the main tank ribs in the left tank. I still need to do the j-channel stiffener, attach bracket, inner aft rib, the the rear baffle… so there is still a ways to go. And also the right tank!
Left tank ribs done
Hours Worked = 4.5
Ed,
I am working on the wings as well and just finished riveting my first nose rib on the left tank. I was thinking I would need my wife to come out and help especially for the leading edge areas of the ribs. But, i would rather do it myself if i could. Did you have any trouble holding the rivet gun steady while shooting the rivets into the leading edge?
Jake
Hey Jake.
I was able to get the front rivets by myself. It was a bit of a stretch, but using very short bursts on the gun, and then re-positioning, I got nice flush rivets.
Sure, it would be easier with two people, but it’s not necessary. It’s the same as the wing leading edges. If you were able to those yourself, the tank is no different.
Are you using a swivel flush set?
Yup. I have a standard flush set as well, but I’ve been getting better results with the swivel set when I have to reach like this.