Sorry for the slow updates, but RCU is getting increasingly difficult for me on my 10 yr old computer! BTW, I am much further along on my Facebook page.
This is the first pattern model where I am doing everything in the order that I like. It is much easier to install the motor mounts and battery tray before anything else on the fuse is done. Now that they are done I like to do the rudder hinging. I like to hinge the rudder with pin type hinges. This lets me use a long piece of 1/32" wire for the hinge and allows the rudder to be removed if needed. I start with locating the positions of the 4 hinges on the already beveled and covered rudder. I cut a slit with an X-Acto knife at each location. I then cut a bevel at each location to allow for the barrel of each hinge. Then I use a saw blade to open up the slit for the hinge to fit. Each of the hinges are coated with vaseline at the hinge barrel and then slid on to the 1/32" wire. I then use 5-min epoxy to glue them in to the rudder. Let the epoxy sit for 1/2 to 1 hour, letting it fully harden. It will then allow the hinges to crack loose and be free. Now I mark an accurate centerline on to the fin, mark the hinge locations and cut a knife slit. I use the saw blade to widen the slot and cut the chamfers for the hinge barrel. Then I install the rudder on to the fin, sliding the hinges in to the slots.