Jessen RV-10 Elevators Page 3

Page 9-3 (1 hour 10 minutes)

Step 1. Anytime I am presented with a step that involves the cutting or bending of aluminum, I become a bit apprehensive, especially when it involves an entire skin. In the case of the elevator skins, it was no different. I am here to tell you, you should not have any compunction to complete these three steps, because it is easy, and I cannot imagine anyone having any trouble. If I can do it; you can do it. Something like that.

First, orient yourself. When you remove the vinyl from both the inner and outer portion of each skin, make sure you label them left or right, and do this on the outside of each. When you bend the tab down, it will be the outside of each skin that you'll be looking at, so having it labeled will assure you that you have the correct side up.

Make the line as shown, but use a thin tipped marker. I used a thick tipped marker and I ended up about 1/16" off from the tab that you'll end up riveting these to. A thin marked line would have prevented this.

12/22/06 - 20 minutes Thin tipped marking pen

Step 2. Note that the bend line shown in the plans is located to the outside of the table's edge. Do your clamping. Make sure the edge of the block that you are using is nice and straight and smooth.

12/22/06 - 10 minutes

Step 3. Do what the instructions say, being forming the bend by hand. Use your fingers. Then move on to a block, which for me was a small scrap of plywood. When you get the bend as far as you can go, then pick up your rivet gun, turn it down until it barely works, then hold it tight against the bend. Tap it a couple times and move over 1/2 the length of the head. Tap again. Move over. Etc. It'll form very nicely.

Then, when you've tapped yourself out, turn the skin over and finish the job of bringing the tab to 90 degrees with a seamer.

12/22/06 - 40 minutes