Started work on empennage, and built a paint booth.

Here's a pic of the work I've done so far. Various parts for the HS (horizontal stabilizer). 

Most of the work in this project is prep work or finish work, i.e.- cut this part to size, shape it, drill holes, dimple or countersink, debur, and prime it if necessary before final assembly. The parts you see are all from the Horizontal Stabilizer, and are in one stage of completion or another.

For example, these ribs have to be marked...

...rough-cut with snips...

...and then all the rough edges and sharp corners removed with a Scotch-Brite wheel on my bench grinder.

The aluminum used in this kit is very strong, but also brittle. Any right angles must be removed, corners rounded, and even deep scratches buffed out as they can develop cracks over time- not good when at 10,000 feet!

When I'm finished, all the parts then have the edges dressed, dimples and countersinks made, all holes deburred, and then they get scrubbed with a scothchbrite pad in preparation for priming. The top-center ribs are the finished product from where we started with the snips.

Here's a pic of the paint booth I cobbled together. I'm only using it for priming, and it's vented to the outdoors with a computer case fan through a vinyl dryer hose. That little fan surprised me with how much air it moves!

And last but not least, always make sure you wear the proper safety equipment! Seeya next week  :)