Alex's Vans RV-10 Build Log

The aft elevator push rod is assembled in the empennage attach section of the plans, and as I was working on other push rod assemblies I also took care of this one at the same time. 3D printed drill guide being used to match drill holes through the push rod into the push rod ends After deburring and priming all push rod parts, I riveted the rod ends in place with MSP-42 rivets, attached bearings and adjusted them for the approximate length given in the plans. I then set the push rod aside for future installation into the tail cone. Push rod end riveted and bearing attached Everything looks good at both ends for installation in the tail cone Dates:                    December 13 2025, January 18 2026, February 19 2026

Having rolled the rudder leading edges a while back, I was never really comfortable with the process of duct taping a 1.25" diameter wooden dowel to the leading edge, and using vice grip pliers to roll the sheet metal around the dowel. There were several issues that I fought with while using this process As the initial rolling with the vice grips progresses, it becomes increasingly more difficult hold the dowel against the workbench Adjusting the vice grips to add additional roll is impossible using just one pair of vise grips, and difficult at best with a pair of vise grips at each end of the dowel, as the dowel wants to lift as soon as you loosen the vise grips It is difficult to obtain the maximum amount of roll because the vise grips tend to hit the spar first as the roll progresses. Due to this, more hand rolling is then required. Hand rolling tends to form waves in the rolled skin due to uneven hand pressure. I also found it difficult to get the rolled skins to come together...