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Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Got a little bit more done tonight, hasn't been much over the last week for numerous reasons but the pace is beginning to pick back up again. I was having a hell of a time drilling the roll pin holes on the detent pins for the flap and rudder pedal handles so I made a jig out of some spare aluminum stock we had laying around. Worked great! I attached some pictures of it but basically you slide the detent pin in, tighten the set screw on the top, and drill through. Way easier that anything else I had tried previously. I was then able to finish the flap handle and start on the detent brackets for the center console. More to come!
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Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Rudder cables are swaged and in. I still have to find the heat shrink tubing or pick some up if it's not in the parts. Finished up the rudder pedal adjustment levers and detent brackets, mounted the bottom stringer, and fitted the side stringers. About to crack the 100 hour mark, getting there slowly but surely.
Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Looking good. Like the jig for drilling roll pins. I could have used that device. The heat shrink doesn’t come in the kit as I recall so an assortment of different sizes is very handy.
I ordered a couple times throughout my build from SteinAir in Minnesota. Received it quickly along with a fair amount of shielded wire for avionics and lights. Keep after it. Lots of fun building for you very soon in the process.
Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Looks good! My kit arrives soon so I am following this.
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Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Door frames and side stringers are in! I'm kinda glad that's out of the way, it was one of the more confusing things for me so far. Of course it makes sense now after I'm all done. Fortunately my ever-curious assistant was there to guide me. I'm hoping to do the doors and start on the tail access cover within the next couple of days but that might have to get put on hold until after a checkride this weekend. Pesky responsibilities always getting in the way....
DesertFox thanks, I consider myself lucky to be in Anchorage so close to Reeve's, Northern Lights, and AIH (my 3 go-to's) but that's good to know and I'll certainly keep them in mind.
Meyer good luck, you're going to have a blast! If you need a detailed picture of anything before I cover, let me know.
Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Steady progress for sure... between the pesky responsibilities stuff.
Your QA assistant looks like their keeping you on your toes. :)
Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Door frames certainly took some time and careful thinking! Our builds are neck and neck, its great how many builds are happening now, so many to reference.
Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Nothing gets past him!
All the builds are super helpful. I've been referencing the dual sti build thread quite a bit and will be on yours now that I have come across it.
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Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Finally got a chance to get back at it after almost 2 weeks without touching the poor thing. Fit and bonded all the ribs for the elevator, rudder, vertical, and horizontal. Still have to do the stiffeners and foam end pieces. I have to say it was kind of annoying how bad most of the ribs were warped. It made it difficult to mount them straight but I think the stiffeners will help once they're on. Glad to have one of the bigger "hysoling" projects done. I think in the future I would add the stiffeners before bonding the ribs.
Re: The tundrafox S7 STi build
Most of us would not use the foam from what I read in another thread. Balsa Wood is the recommended material. The foam is really soft, like a Cheetos Puff. Until it gets covered with Hysol it is succeptible to hangar rash. If you chose Oratex fabric, it will melt easily when subject to the heat used to install the fabric.