I assembled the left and right elevator counterweights, together with the corresponding ribs and counterweight skins. My new compressor isn’t here yet so I couldn’t match drill any of this but I was able to use the drill press to drill the #12 holes for the bolts that attach the lead weights.

Tip ribs, counterweight ribs, counterweights and skins cleco

 

Had to spin the head of the drill press around to accommodate the tip ribs hanging below the bench.

Job done.

 

 

Today I made a bending jig as per Vans instructions for increasing the bend in the elevator skins. I covered mine in some thin fabric to prevent scratching.

Just two bits of timber and some hinges.

I then had a go at bending the Right Elevator TE.

I taped a length of 3.5mm Carbon Rod into the training edge first to prevent creasing and to help form the correct radius.

It takes a lot of force to make these bends. After the forst bit of bending I removed the CF rod and closed it up some more.