Leading Edge Splice/Doubler W919

This W919 splice piece will join the tank skin and the leading edge skins together. getting this inserted between the rib and skin was a bit tedious but manageable. it will have nut-plates installed at a later point.

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

J-Stringers Left Wing

Over the last few days I've worked on the J-Stringers for the Left Wing. There are two W926a and 926b. They are different lengths and overlap in the middle section of the wing. Kinda confusing at first look because the lengths written and what the plans show are different. I also needed to change the reference line down the middle of them by about a 1/16" or so... this provided better spacing in the ribs. The J-Stringers are done now for the Left Wing so it's on to the bottom Skins now. I have run out of Clecos though so I need to wait until some more show up.

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

The overlap where the two skins meet...

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

Leading Edge and Inboard Skin

Got a few hours in and built up the Left wing leading edge. I've read other builders websites and knew that assembly within the constructed jig is very difficult. I opted to build on the table and work one cleco in at a time, one rib at a time.... it proved to be the best way. Trust me, I tried a few different methods.

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

I also had to trim the 5th. rib so it would fit over the larger Spar rivets. Now the Leading edge assembly fits nicely.
I cut and deburred the j-stringers for the Left wing and cleaned the edges of both the inboard skin and wing-walk doubler. Vans sent us the wrong size for one of those doublers but within a week i had the new one in my hand. Good service i say!

Right Wing Assembly

Tackled the right wing assembly on Wednesday and riveted all the main ribs to the forward spar. It didn't take too long with both Tad and I working on it. We left the rear spar and i finished that last night. So, the skeleton is together now for both wings!

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

Unfortunately the wing walk doublers which are .025 thickness skins and about 26" long are NOT the same length so i have a new one coming from Vans. One of them is 25 3/8" and the other is 26". 26" is the correct length. We can work on the leading edge ribs and skins and at least do the left wing walk doubler.

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

Tad is making the leading edge jig to make assembly much easier.

Progress...Wing Jig/Stand

The last few days I've been working on getting the Wing Jig together and figuring out how it's going to fit in the room WITH the work table!
We are hoping to build both wings simultaneously and the jig or stand will help with this. With the pre-punched wings jigs aren't really needed but do make things easier and it's always good to check to ensure there isn't any twist in either of the wings while building.
The Right Wing Ribs are at Tad's place now getting their primer coat applied. I'm sure we'll be riveting that together in the next few days.

Right Wing Ribs

Spent some time drilling out the Conduit holes for the Right Wing Ribs. Same basic procedure as the Left. Match drill a #30 on all Ribs and then enlarge them on the drill press to 3/4" with the step drill.
Will need to match drill them to the Spar and then ship them off to Tad's place for primer!

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

Left Wing Ribs Riveted

Tad and I got the Left Wing ribs riveted onto the both front and rear spars. We left the outboard most rib off as per the instructions.
We had a couple of rivets we weren't happy with but they were fairly painless to remove. just time consuming really.
We used the 4x gun and reduced the pressure to around 50psi i believe. That gave Tad a bit more control of the impact. anything higher and they seemed to set too fast, either they were under or they would be over with only one hit.
The Rear Spar was easy to do with the pneumatic squeezer and only had one that didn't squeeze straight - the very first one we did. It was more from the inability to see the rivet properly but flipping over the wing allowed much better control of it.
Oh, one last thing, we ended up drilling out one of the tooling holes just in case we decide to install a AOA device later on in the build. I think it was a good idea to do that.

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

Nose Ribs - Deburring

Modified an old Scotchbrite die-grinder wheel and made it so it will work on the Dremel. That way it can be shaped a lot smaller to get into those tough places to knock off any rough edges.
Works pretty well so far.
Anyway, got about half-dozen or so done. I use the main wheel for the primary edges and then use the dremel.

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

Conduit Holes, Nose Ribs

I have been trying to get more time in on the RV and have found the mornings, before work, to be the best. Still work on it during evening though, try to leave that to the mundane work. Being tired and trying to decide what the plans call for aren't a good mix.
Anyway, I drilled out the Conduit holes to 3/4" for the Left Wing. Tad still has the Right Wing ribs so i'll do those when he is done. These Ribs are ready for primer now so Tad will tackle that this weekend.
So it's time to do some more deburring. This time onto the Nose Ribs!

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

Riveted Tie-Downs

Spent some time this morning getting these done. Tad dropped them by after priming them. i actually shot a bit of primer on the flush-side as well after setting the rivets.... they're ready for assembly on the wing spars.

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build

From Pete and Tad's RV-9a Build