Replacement Drawing #7

I mailed off a check today for a replacement for my drawing #7 that was ruined when it feel in water when my basement flooded. I also placed an order for the correct bushing stock since I ordered the wrong size last week.

Form blocks, Form blocks, Form blocks...

First chance to use the my router

Today I spent a few hours working on my form blocks. It is kind of daunting for me because this is what is setting the stage for the whole wing. I want to make sure I get it right. I went and got a 1/8" round over bit for putting a radius on the edges. I have read several peoples build logs where they have hand sanded the edges.

A Good 4th of July

Today I got some stuff to run new lights in the garage, and I also stopped by Harbor Freight and picked up the 30" bending brake and some clamps. I spent the rest of the afternoon wiring up the lights, and realized that I will need a few more. At least now I have a well lit workbench.

I needed to finish my form backing block so I cut that out with my jig saw and sanded it down. I have had really good luck with my Harbor freight belt sander so far. Once I had it sanded down I clamped the two together and started drilling my jig pin holes. That is as far as I made it today.

Harbor Freight 30" Bending Brake w/ two c-clamps

Slight set back for hammering over flanges

Drilling jig pin holes

One small step...

A lot has been going on and I have not held true to my goal of doing a little each day. However, I have finished my main formblock.  I have rough cut the backup block and will use my router with a different bearing to finish it.

A few months ago my basement flooded and while I was picking things up off the floor my rolled up drawing #7 fell in an inch of water. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but when I unrolled it to check against my form block it was ruined.

So now I need to call Bob and see how much for another one. The real progress is last night I ordered my first sheet of aluminum. The goal for this week is to finish all the form blocks and have them ready. I'm going to start with the nose ribs first and go from there.

I also downloaded Eric Newton's last two build manuals and have read through them.

Folding Drafting Table

A lot has been going on. I decided I wanted a place in the factory where I could keep my plans besides the workbenches. I googled drafting tables and folding drafting tables and saw several, but none that were both cheap and easy to build with what I had access to. So I designed my own.

It turned out great. I used two 1x4x8's. I cut the first one in half and the second one I cut off the thickness if the writing surface which for me was 5/8" then I cut them in half on a 30° angle. I spaced them out the proper distance for the writing surface to slide in snug and clamped them down. 

Then using a 1/4" drill bit I drilled holes 6" from the ends. I was not drilling into studs. Instead I ran a 3"x1/4" bolt through the 1x4's and the sheathing of the wall and used washers and a nut to attach it firmly to the wall. Some 1 1/2" construction screws were added and countersunk to provide more rigidity. I then used eye bolts to attach the cable to. Total cost was less than $20 and it is very solid and folds out of the way when not in use. 

On a side note I have been reading through the Bearhawk Book that came with my plans as well as Russ Erbs CD. I also purchased Volume I of Eric Newton's Build Manual. I am getting excited to get started. 

I unrolled Drawing #7 for the first time today as well. I think I am going to take it to Kinkos and get them to make a copy and then I will do the cut and glue method for transferring it to the formug block. Or if I can find a roll of tracing paper or carbon paper I will do it that way. The point is I am not going to use/disfigure Drawing #7. I want to keep it original.