Tailcone Assembly

[pfhoeycfi]

I am fairly deep into the tailcone and was curious about when best to rivet. The plans call out to rivet as you go...ie the bottom longeron, not the top etc etc. Is it better to do it this way (rivet as I go) or get the entire tailcone assembly updrilled and cleco'd first before any riveting (in he proper order of course)?

The plans do call out to leave the bottom skin cleco'd until final assembly.

any thoughts, pro or con, would be appreciated,

thank you

peter
SNB0021

[Bryan Cotton]

I pretty much followed the plans. Documented starting page 6 of my thread.
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=578&start=50

[pfhoeycfi]

The 2 lower attach plates (factory machined) for the B tail-cone has 3/16 holes used to secure it to the longeron. A machine screw is inserted thru the skin and longeron then thru the plate. The surface where the screws come through the plate is not flat due to the radius made by the adjoining side. Therefore the nut will not sit flat. I am curious as to what builders have done in to rectify this. I've made little radius blocks approx 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/8. All 4 machine screw holes in each lower plate will require the radius block and I imagine the upper attach fittings will require blocks as well...unless of course somebody has a better solution.

Any advice is greatly appreciated...

thank you,

peter
Doylestown, Pa
SNB0021

[Rofomoto]

Peter. I’m building a legacy model but if you want to look at mine I’m close to you in Royersford 19468.
Billy

[pfhoeycfi]

Peter. I’m building a legacy model but if you want to look at mine I’m close to you in Royersford 19468.
Billy

yes I'll have to take a look some time.

thank you,

peter

[pfhoeycfi]

Getting ready to put the turtle deck skin on the tail cone. The plans say attach the skin assembly to the left longeron, then the right. Anyone have any additional advice on this initial placing of the skin...ie do I pilot drill one side then pull the other side into position...or should I have both sides clamped into position before pilot drilling. It's a big piece that I will be handling on my own and want to get it right. Any advice, order of assembly would be appreciated...
Thanks,
Peter
SNB0021

[Rynoth]

Hi Peter, I also did my turtledeck by myself and it was a handfull but can be done.

http://www.rynoth.com/wordpress/waiex/2 ... eck-cleco/

I drilled and clecoed/secured the left side first per the plans. I also had the spine clecoed though I can't remember if it was called out that way in the plans. Because of the spring tension when you start bending the deck, Im not sure if it would be possible (alone) to position both sides without securing one side first with clecoes.

Also, don't be shy with the clecoes when installing the turtledeck. The sides and spine are under a lot of stress as you bend the form into shape, more clecoes = better in my opinion to keep the bending pressures spread out.

[Rofomoto]

Getting ready to put the turtle deck skin on the tail cone. The plans say attach the skin assembly to the left longeron, then the right. Anyone have any additional advice on this initial placing of the skin...ie do I pilot drill one side then pull the other side into position...or should I have both sides clamped into position before pilot drilling. It's a big piece that I will be handling on my own and want to get it right. Any advice, order of assembly would be appreciated...
Thanks,
Peter
SNB0021

Peter... if you would like a hand I’m near you in Royersford

[Bryan Cotton]

Like Ryan I followed the plans and used lots of clecoes. Unlike Ryan I had help and can't figure out how he managed.

[peter anson]

An extra hand is always helpful but I did my turtledeck by myself and I don't remember it being difficult. I cut some strips of scrap 0.025" sheet, 4 or 5 per side, and poked them down between the longeron and the side skins to help guide the edges of the turtledeck into place. It worked well.

Peter