June 11 2004

Spar bushings

Spars are now 100% complete. I bagged all the shear webs and added some extra glass thickness in the bushings area. My laminates are consistently thinner than Ray Kendrick's specifications, probably because of the vacuum bagging.

I made my own fiberglass bushings over an aluminum tube of the proper diameter. It is very easy and makes are really good job. I drilled the bushing holes with a press drill. Careful measurements are essential to ensure parallel bushing axes for the folding system. I hope everything lines up in the end! The bushing were a nice sliding fit in their holes and a little thickened epoxy was used for bonding them in place. The most difficult parts are now made and now it is on to the big and easy panels!