Did not spend much time on the project but spent a bit of time learning to use the tubing tools. One of our Chapter 75, tech counselors, Terry, came this morning and we reviewed the proper use of the tubing bending and flaring tools.
As I had purchased 6 feet of 3/8" aluminum tubing from the hardware store, I spent a few hours practicing before using the tubing supplied in the kit. As the tubing bender I borrowed from the club did come with instructions, looked on the net, found some and once I learned to use the "L", "R" and 45 degree mark on the tool, bending tubing became relatively easy. Using the hardware store tubing I was able to bend the first piece. As others have mentioned, it is not possible to get the 1st 90 degree as close to the flare as per the drawing. Following the words in the plans, it has you make this first bend as close as possible. As such the piece of tube downstream of the 2nd 90 degree bend have to be lengthened an appropriate amount. Also, the piece of tubing required was about 26.5" and not 24".
The only thing I did with the project was to install the systems blocks and move the fuselage to a set of sawhorses. They are normally installed in Section 27. That was one section I skipped to get the fuel system installed before I attach the tailcone. Don't drill the system blocks to 5/16" in one step. Gradually work your way to 5/16" a small bit at a time. Otherwise you will find the block spinning at the end of a drill bit after it is ripped out of your hand.
The sawhorses purchased at Harbor Freight were shortened to 24" by shortening each leg. 20" would have been perfect, but, this will do.
Time Today - 1 hour
