I was digging out my old issues of Model Airplane News before I started assembly (as opposed to construction) of my GP Lancair. In the April 03 issue John Reid lists a top 10 ARF assembly tips - which include: Seal down covering, fuelproof firewall, glue high stress joints, rubber tube clevises, use CA in screw holes?, seal fueltank hole in firewall, install hinges correctly, foam tape wing saddle, thread-lock all bolts and file a flatspot on wheel axles.
Any other tips?

The CA in screw holes is in the balsa wood holes that you drill. It stiffens them up and makes them like screwing into hard plastic. I do this all the time. Just don't fill the holes and make sure they are dry before putting in screws.

You mean seal the hole in the firewall where the fuel tank tubes go to engine? Keeps wind from blowing into your fuse? Never even thought about doing that.

Thanks for the tips. Very useful.

Joe

Mr Reid says that by sealing the fuel tank tubing at the firewall you are eliminating vibration which will eventually wear out the tubing. Interesting idea. Fuel tubing does wear out but I have never had it wear out at the firewall.

Those screws you use to mount the cowl need some extra attention, even more than just CA. How mnay have mounted and dismounted that cowl numerous times while setting up the airplane?

The center section of Goldberg NyRods are execellant screw mounts. Drill cowl holes in the fuselage big enough to creat a tight connection with a small piece of NyRod. CA the NyRod into the fuselage. You now have an excellant screw mount for your cowl screws that will resist vibration and wear-n-tear.

NOTE: I wish I could take credit for this recommendation but I can't. I picked it up from one of the magazines.

To prevent the screw holes in your cowl from enlarging under vibration, CA flat metal washers to the inside of the cowl where the holes are, then epoxy fiberglass cloth or nylon cloth on top of the washers.