While waiting for some online help on finishing the first slat I got started on preparing the second inboard slat, the left one, or pilot’s side. I basically repeated all the steps from the previous days with the pax-side slat but I got them all done in one day.
- Drill #40 holes through the skin into the doubler
- Cleco the ribs to the skin and doubler
- Drill the holes through the skin into the L-angles
- Open all holes to size #30 for the A4 rivet
- Deburr all the holes, apply primer and re-assemble
I took another look at the compressor and found out the problem – the drain valve had been open the whole time! In my defense the valve operated in reverse to what I thought was natural. The valve screwed in and out of the compressor and all the way screwed in was in fact open, not closed. Once I discovered this the compressor worked just fine and we were ready to rivet with power (insert Tim Toolman Taylor noise).
Riveting with the gun is sooo much better than by hand, and with Teri helping me by catching the trash and removing clecos we made short work of the task.
So now I have both inboard slats ready for attaching the top skin to the ribs… back to the forums to see if anyone had offered any advice.