Alex's Vans RV-10 Build Log

I received the replacement trim mount bracket from Van's, and this time decided to dimple the nutplate attach holes that I had previously countersunk. Dimpling was far easier and I did not have to worry about removing too much material, none at all in fact! Dimpled nutplate attach holes I deburred all holes and edges in the trim mount bracket in preparation for priming it. Trim mount bracket ready for priming After priming the trim mount, I dimpled the attach holes on 4 nutplates, and set the nutplate attach rivets using the squeezer. I also squeezed rivets to attach the trim servo spacer and trim cable anchor brackets as well as the holes in the close out flanges.  To attach the trim bellcrank brackets, I switched to bucking the rivets as I couldn't quite fit the squeezer yoke over the trim mount flange. Bucking the rivets was easy in this location though!  All parts riveted to the trim mount bracket The trim mount bracket flange can present an issue for squeezing rivets if n...

While waiting for Van's to provide additional guidance on the use of laser cut parts (of which I have some in my wing kit that I haven't yet worked on), I decided to continue with a few small tasks that were originally planned for later.  One of the tasks involved building the elevator trim mount that will go in the tail cone. The details of this are outlined in Section 11 - Empennage Attach, and involves first fabricating 2 sets of attachment brackets out of aluminum angle. First off are the trim bellcrank brackets that are fabricated from a piece of 3/4"x3/4"x1/16" angle. I started by marking out both bracket hole positions, but quickly realized that the only way to ensure the holes matched and were in line was to first drill both holes in one bracket, and then use that bracket as a guide to drill the holes in the other bracket. Bellcrank brackets marked on aluminum angle prior to drilling... ...after which I decided to drill one bracket first and use it as a g...