Wing Fuel Tank 18-2-3 to 18-2-5

Fuel tank skins are worked on prior to starting the fuel tank section of the build because the splice strips that connect the fuel tanks to the outboard leading edges are attached to one side of each skin. These strips need to be removed as detailed in section 17 of the plans.

After the removing the splice strips with a cutoff wheel in the Dremel, I decided to finish deburring all edges of the fuel tank skins while I had them on the work bench.

Splice strip removed from fuel tank skin. Edges were then cleaned up and deburred

Next I took the fuel tank Z-bracket strips, and separated the brackets at the tabs using the band saw. I then cleaned up and deburred all the edges on the belt sander and deburring wheels.

Fuel tank Z-brackets being separated using the band saw

Z-brackets after deburring all edges. I labeled them L and R for now just to keep two separate piles.

I then fabricated the two T-1009 J-channels by cutting the two remaining 6ft J-channels in the wing kit to a length of 64-1/4". After deburring all edges, I marked a line down the straight flange of each channel 5/16" from the edge.

Fuel tank J-channels deburred and marked with a rivet location centerline

I'll return to the fuel tanks once I complete the outboard leading edges.

Build Hints

• The drum sander on the Dremel worked well to remove the tabs left on the fuel tank skins after cutting off the splice strip. After finishing with a fine needle file and a Scotchbrite pad you wouldn't even know that the tabs were there!

Time Taken:     2.9 hours

Dates:                October 1 - October 8 2023

Wing Fuel Tank Total Time:        2.9 hours

RV-10 Build Total Time:           492.9 hours

Priming Total Time:                     50.9 hours (not included in build time totals)