Fuse Assembly (thinking ahead)

[captain_john]

Well, I hear that this is the way to assemble these parts together with ease of assembly in mind.



What we have here is the F-7101 Web attach plate (taildragger style) and the 902 bulkhead.

The rumor mill tells me that this is WAAAAAY easier to do on the bench than when it is clecoed into the plane. I would have to agree. Do it now, before you need to try and do it later on the plane.

ALSO... I read ahead and noticed that the cover plates on the front of the 704 have outboard angles that keep them from wiggling around out there. This is certainly easier to align and drill (and rivet too!) them now than after the plane is assembled!

My only bonehead maneuver was to rivet the platenut on BEFORE riveting the angle to the 7101. This prevented me from using a solid rivet there! So, instead of taking the platenut off, I used the LP4-3 than Van specs out anyways. Oh well, 3 outta 4 ain't bad as Meatloaf says!



Hope this helps you!

Bradley, You payin' attention here!?!

CJ

[captain_john]

...and here's yet another "no guts, no glory" stunt for you to do:



The rule is indicating the Van's placement of the wiring conduit location.

IT DOES NOT line up with the one he suggests in that .pdf we have come to know, love and trust!

I shot this 7/8" hole in the side of my fuse and aligned it with the conduit so that when my wings are installed the conduits will align with these holes and all I will (theoretically) need to do is silicone around the opening!

You might want to do it to?

CJ

[bullojm1]

Hey CJ-

I am about 1 week behind you now....have you put any thought into the putting the firewall sealant on between the firewall and the side/bottom skins before you rivet everything together? I think it would be damn near impossible seal the side skins after the fact, since the side firewall stiffener, along with all the longerons/stiffeners would really limit your access.


Also, according to the Van's webstore description of the sealant (http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/cat ... uct=cs1900), "In new aircraft, as the skins are being installed, the flange of the firewall should be coated with a thin layer and the skin riveted on while the material is still uncured ("wet").".

I don't like the fact that Van's only sells this in a semco cartridge - you are stuck with a one shot deal for 20 bucks. Anyone know of any alternatives to use that can be used on a "as needed" basic?

[aparchment]

Hey John:

What paint did you use on those parts?

Thanks again for the company on Saturday!

Antony

OOPS -- never mind -- I got the answer from another post of yours.

[captain_john]

Mike,

Yes, I have been considering sealant. My solution is to install the firewall WITH sealant and a few keeper rivets for now. This way, I can remove them when I need to attach the 1/4 turn fasteners for the cowling.

I like the SEMCO cartridges. However, I may just use good old fashioned proseal. This is mostly to keep oil and gases out of the cockpit. I think Proseal would be fine.

Antony, My pleasure!

CJ

[bullojm1]

I found a source for Flame Master 1900 that sells it in pint and 1/2 pint quantities. My biggest concern with proseal is it isn't rated for that high of temperature - 275 degrees F max. The firewall sealant is rated for a flash temperature of 2000 degrees for 15 minutes.

If anyone is interested, SealPak (316-942-6211) sells FlameMaster CS1900 firewall sealant in 2 parts. $24 for 1/2 pint, $40 for 1 pint. FYI, there is a $20 extra hazmat shipping charge.

Considering Van's sells this stuff at $20/3.5 oz (0.21 pints), this is a much better deal. I would imagine that Van's is also stuck sending this stuff out as a hazmat.

[captain_john]

Mike,

I just don't know why we need to use FlameMaster Hi Temp stuff.

I know, there is an engine on the other side, but there just isn't a crack that we are filling that is big enough to warrant anything more than ProSeal.

Now, if someone could educate/convince me otherwise, I am willing to be swayed in my opinion.

Let me ask you, why do we NEED the hi temp stuff? Unless we are on fire, the highest temp MIGHT BE 400 degrees or so.

If we ARE on fire, flames aren't going to be squeaking through the gaps in the sheet metal between the skin and firewall. Flames WILL burn the aluminum rivets holding the stuff together and THEN we will have stuff to worry about!

What is your take on it?

CJ

[bullojm1]

CJ,

My take on the sealant issue is its main day to day purpose is to keep CO out of the cockpit. I am totally with you in the thinking tank sealant is good enough for that job. If a fire did break out during cruise I would want it to stay out of the cabin for as long as possible. For the 60 bucks it cost me, I look at it as cheap insurance plus one less thing to worry about.

[captain_john]

Agreed, Mike.

Say, another thing...

I am installing (installed) platenuts on the lower auxiliary longerons beneath the 902 instead of using the AN 365 nuts that are spec'ed on the plans!

My thinking is, I MAY wish to one day utilize this location as a hard point for an external cargo pod. Combining this location with the rear spar attach point (the spacer near the seat belt, particularly) would be a couple of solid points in a relatively straight line aerodynamically to accomplish this task!

I don't have any pods in mind right now, but it IS food for thought!

CJ

[captain_john]

Mike,

2 things...

1) After reading your website, you have me convinced NOT to use proseal.

2) YOU BUM! Why didn't you tell me that you went to BID last weekend!?! I was up booting around the islands and would have stopped by to harass you!

Listen... NOBODY comes to town and DOESN'T TELL ME! Okay!?!

CJ

[bullojm1]

CJ -

Cool idea on the attachment points. Cargo Pod, fuel tank pod, small tactical missile to clear out the slow spam cans in front of you in the pattern

[captain_john]

The possibilities are ENDLESS!

It can be used for candy drops, launching toilet paper and scattering remains too!

CJ

[RV7Factory]

Bradley, You payin' attention here!?!

Huh -- You say something?

[captain_john]

CJ