Baggage and Seat Floors

bruceh · Post by **bruceh** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 6:45 pm

I've put a couple of conduit runs under the seat and baggage floors. I've also got the steps installed.

Before I rivet the seat pans down, is there anything else I need to consider doing under there? Seems like there is a lot of real estate will become less accessible.
Or should I just wait awhile and just keep these clecoed on?

Post by **bullojm1** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:23 pm

Bruce,

Good call on the conduit runs! I have three on mine, and one of them went unused.

Couple of suggestions:

1) Make some brackets to affix the conduit to the ribs. You don't want the conduit vibrating around because it will probably make some noise and also rub off all of your nice primer.

2) RTV or Proseal the conduit to the steel weldments for the steps. Same reason as above - keep vibration damage down.

3) Trim it all now and be done with it.

Here is my install:

Bracket Fabrication:
http://rvplane.com/?categoryid=4&dayid=480

Final Product:
http://rvplane.com/?categoryid=4&dayid=481

I used proseal to hold the conduit to the brackets and bulkhead. Proseal is tough stuff.

itisgood · Post by **itisgood** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:31 pm

Iam installing the crotch web assembly and please tell me how to drill the rivet holes from the inside when my drill is larger and I can't seem to be able to line the drill level with the holes to drill. I really do not understand how this is possible?

It seems that you have done a good job.
Dave

Post by **bullojm1** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:12 pm

itisgood wrote:Iam installing the crotch web assembly and please tell me how to drill the rivet holes from the inside when my drill is larger and I can't seem to be able to line the drill level with the holes to drill. I really do not understand how this is possible?

It seems that you have done a good job.
Dave

Dave,

The secret to my success is the Avery 90 degree angle drill:

http://www.averytools.com/prodinfo.asp?number=9885

I consider this a mandatory tool for the build!

Best of luck,

bruceh · Post by **bruceh** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:54 pm

Mike,

I have installed a couple of brackets holding the conduit just inside the forward end of the seat pans. All of the places where the conduit passes through the bulkheads have been prosealed in place, and also across the step tubes.

Dave,

I installed the crotch strap brackets before I put the center section together. Made it very easy to drill and rivet! Wish I had done the same thing when I added the conduit support brackets last week. Drilling was no problem with the angle drill kit from Avery that Mike also has. Riveting was a pain. I was just barely able to get a single offset rivet set on the heads and buck them with my small tungsten bar. Otherwise, I would have had to use nuts and bolts down there, or pop rivets.

itisgood · Post by **itisgood** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 6:44 am

Thanks guys,
I will look serious at the angle drill, I have a cheap model from another company, that I will try first. I did not think that it would work, but admittedly
I had not tried it yet.

I appreciate being a part of this group, sure helps to know others went before me and have excellent knowledge.

Dave

Post by **Spike** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:05 am

I used one for those holes. Make sure you don't let it slide and turn out into a router. That's easy to do since its an awkward position in which to with.

Spike

Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless

-----Original message-----

From: RB Lists - RV9 <support@rivetbangers.com>
To: rv9@rivetbangers.com
Sent: Thu, Nov 11, 2010 11:44:02 GMT+00:00
Subject: Baggage and Seat Floors

Thanks guys, I will look serious at the angle drill, I have a cheap model from another company, that I will try first. I did not think that it would work, but admittedly I had not tried it yet. I appreciate being a part of this group, sure helps to know others went before me and have excellent knowledge. Dave rivetbangers.com - Discussion topic http://www.rivetbangers.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=35504#35504

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RVNewsletter · Post by **RVNewsletter** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 2:06 pm

$155 for a right-angle drill.

You can build an RV just fine with a cheap plastic version, which you can find at Amazon for $30.

BTW, I put screws/nutplates in the baggage and seat floors.

itisgood · Post by **itisgood** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 6:35 pm

Good Idea of nutplates

I was thinking also of using nutplates also in the baggage and seat floors so that I could get under the floor anytime, if I had a need.

Dave

itisgood · Post by **itisgood** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 6:36 pm

Thanks Spike for the advice. I know it is tight. It seems anywhere on an airplane it is tight!

JOHN TIPTON · Post by **JOHN TIPTON** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:21 am

I think using a piece of alloy, drilling a hole, bending, and riveting to hold the conduit is making a big job out of something simple - try this idea from EAA

http://link.brightcove.com/services/pla ... 7438077001

go to general and last in the list 'making stand offs'
two holes, a bit of tubing, and a tie wrap - job done

John[/b]

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 4:05 am

Dave,

I agree with Mike and others, a right-angle drill is an essential tool that you must have. Especially for the fuselage. I can't imagine how you could build an RV without one. However, as important as it is, you won't put much wear and tear on one, so a brand new one isn't necessary. I bought a used one on eBay for about $50. A nice bonus was that this one came with a whole bunch of bits of all sizes and lengths. So if you shop around, you can find some deals. A brand new drill like this can run $250. This has served me very well.

Post by **bullojm1** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:13 am

Bruce,

That thing sure is the cats meow! The one from Avery is OK, but it requires some skill to make sure your holes aren't oblong. For $50, that's definitely the way to go. I might have to get one just 'cause. Oh wait a minute, that's good AV gas money going to waste!

Good Call!

BSwayze · Post by **BSwayze** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 2:30 pm

Thanks, Mike.

l LOVE this drill, alright. But you're through drilling right-angle holes, aren't you? I guess the appeal of a good tool never goes away. I admit, half the fun of building this RV is all the cool toys, er... tools, that we get to play with, right? But I'm with you, at this point that's good avgas money!

By the way, some additional thanks are in order. I installed two conduit runs under my seat floors, too, and your website and pics were the reason I did. I did it exactly the same way. Thanks!

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:36 pm

Buy a good used angle drill or a new one. You may find yourself using it more after your airplane flies than during the construction. I bought a new one and won't sell it. If I were to sell the airplane I might keep it just for other projects that I am requested to do around the house. I haven't done any series work under the instrument panel in the 127.5 hours the airplane has been flying but a lot of little things in the cockpit and this spring putting my upper gear leg intersection fairings on with my angle drill.

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