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Fuel tank skin not fitting tank ribs.

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stuewe

Joined: 10 Nov 2008
Posts: 6
Location: Wichita, KS

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:00 pm Post subject: Fuel tank skin not fitting tank ribs.

I'm working on my first fuel tank and I'm having trouble getting the skin to fit to the ribs.  It's like the skin was bent at too small a radius at the leading edge.  I have the ribs cleco'ed to the top side of the tank skin, but I cannot get even CLOSE to getting the holes on the other side to align.  I had some difficulty with the same phase of the outboard leading edges, but nothing like this tank skin.  



So, the question is:  Is there a trick I'm missing?

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evmeg(at)snowcrest.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:06 pm Post subject: Fuel tank skin not fitting tank ribs.

The RV10 tank ribs tend to be pretty tight. I put the tank skin on my work 

table on top of a piece of styrofoam...then cleco the ribs to the bottom of 

the skin from the inside. (the clecos just go into the styro without bending 

anything) Then you can carefully roll the top down and try to get the clecos 

on top started. Start with the far left rib and try for the 3rd hole up from 

the from the leading edge. Then get a couple more in that rib before moving 

to the next one right. It does take a bit of patience and you will bend the 

crap out of a few clecos.

Good luck..feel free to call with questions.

Evan

evansaviationproducts.com

(530)351-1776

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pietflyr(at)bellsouth.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:04 pm Post subject: Fuel tank skin not fitting tank ribs.

I've just been through this stage, so I understand your difficulties.  The

tanks are just like the outboard leading edges, but worse, since they have

0.032" thick skin.



I found it best to start attaching the ribs by clecoing the forward holes

while the skin was not in the cradle.  Then put the assembly int eh cradle

and cleco the rest of the holes.



The good news is, once you match-drill and dimple the holes, it goes

together much easier.  But you are at the "fun" part of the fuel tanks.

Just wait until you get to cleco it together with dark grey "Pookie" all

over everything, including your expensive tools, your clothes, your skin and

your hair.  Life just doesn't get any better than this.



Jack Phillips

# 40610 Wings (Fuel tanks)

Raleigh, NC



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davidsoutpost(at)comcast.
Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:54 am Post subject: Fuel tank skin not fitting tank ribs.

Make sure that the rib flanges are bent 90* to the web. Also, I found it easier to start clecoing  the first two holes of the top and bottom skin at the forward leading edge and worked my way back and forth one row and a time alternating top and bottom working my way aft towards the rear baffle.



David Clifford



RV-10 In Progress

Empennage Done

Engine Overhauled & Pickled

Closing up The Wings  



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stuewe

Joined: 10 Nov 2008
Posts: 6
Location: Wichita, KS

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:04 am Post subject: Re: Fuel tank skin not fitting tank ribs.

Thanks for the tips/hints guys. I'll give those a try.

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stuewe

Joined: 10 Nov 2008
Posts: 6
Location: Wichita, KS

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:33 am Post subject: Re: Fuel tank skin not fitting tank ribs.

Well, last night I managed to get the tank skins cleco'd to the ribs.  Turns out the major issue was that it was a 2-person job and I had been using an insufficient number of persons.  I recruited the wife to hold the skin steady out of the cradle while I cleco'd the skin to the ribs starting in the middle and working my way up both sides.    Thanks again for the tips.

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