Vertical Stabilizer Tips
Here's a critical tip regarding the nose ribs on the Vertical Stab:
When trying to fit the nose ribs into the skin, DO NOT force the nose
ribs in. Yes, they don't fit because the nose ribs (especially
the middle one) are TOO LONG. You WILL cause an outward dent in
the skin if you force it. A very large number of RV-10
builders have suffered this fate. Van's does not warn you in the
plans about this in the vertical stab section, but they do in the
Horizontal Stab section, so jump ahead and read that if you can.
The way to prevent this is, you will need to remove some
material from the tip of the nose ribs. Maybe 1/8" or more.
Also, make sure you are rounding the corners on that nose rib.
You can remove quite a bit of metal, but just make sure you
maintain enough material on the tabs so that you can have proper edge
clearance to the rivet holes.
I only wish I would have known this sooner, and many other builders
feel the same. Every plane has it's signature feature...too bad
the RV-10's signature is a big dent coming out of it's Vertical stab.
Recent Posting:
Hi all, I've just about got the VS wrapped up, but there is one rivet I can't figure out how to get. I'm doing the 470's that
rivet the spar flange to the spar cap below the skin, and it's the one that sits right up
against the lower half of the bottom hinge bracket. My squeezer yoke can't get on the rivet because of the hinge bracket (guaranteed to cleat the
rivet), and the Avery kit didn't include a 3/32 set for trying to shoot
it. I've thought about grinding the yoke down, ordering a thin-nose/no-hole,
or a 3/32 set, but am wondering if I'm missing something obvious. How did you guys get it?
Answer 1: I shot mine with a
flush set. My little brazier head rivets out the round head, but they set just fine. Foudn the idea in an old
Lockheed handbook.
Answer 2: (My choice) I
ordered a 3/32" set from the Yard Store for $5. A nice cheap solution instead of grinding an expensive yoke.