Turtledeck rolling

[Bryan Cotton]

Did anybody roll a little curve in their turtledeck before they riveted it up? The seam on the top seems unhappy. Also, was the aft bulkhead super tight for anybody?

[Sonex1517]

Hi Bryan

I got an edge roller for Christmas a couple of years ago, intending to use it on that very seam, as well as the fuselage to turtledeck seam and all my inspection plates.

After some experimentation and looking at every Sonex/Waiex I could see at Crossville or Oshkosh, I decided not to. I have taken a lot of detailed photos of Somex models since I began building and did not see it done often.

Personal preference I guess....

Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[Sonex1517]

Oh - and yes, my aft bulkhead was extremely taut...even with matched holes.


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[Bryan Cotton]

Robbie,
I have an edge roller - but what I meant was putting a curve in the whole sheet so it did not spring so hard away from the formers.

[ScottM-Sonex1629]

Bryan,

To answer your questions:

NO

YES

It will all work out.

Scott

[Rynoth]

Ditto what Scott said. Bulkhead was very tight, but it all worked out. The rivets hold the spine tighter than the clecoes do, just use firm pressure when pulling them, and the seam seals up nicely. Clecoes/rivets in the formers also help make the shape and relieve pressure on the spine.

[Bryan Cotton]

Thanks guys- onward it is.