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Old 12-31-2004 | 07:00 PM
  #6  
jrf
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Default RE: Anyone have a trick for this task?

As long as the fit is decent and all gaps are smaller than 1/16" or so, the following procedure is just as strong as epoxy and no were near as messy.

With the airplane sitting level, pin the stab into position and tack it with thin CA. Recheck the alignments and then run a light bead of thin Ca along the top joint on both sides. Enough to wick in, but not enough to run out of the joint. Follow immediately with medium CA to fill the gap. Spritz lightly with accellerator and let set. Turn over and do the bottom.

The thin CA pulls the medium CA thoroughly into the joint, and the medium gives the thin the body to fill the gaps.

I've done over 100 stabs this way during the last 20 years, and never had one fail. Even in a crash. I had elevator flutter pull the entire tail off the airplane once, but it took the stab saddle and half the fuse sides with it.

Jim