Began riveting VS#2 - 4 hours

I fitted/riveted the VS ribs and spars. Things started out well, except for when I tried to rivet the VS-202, VS-704, VS-705. This is a very difficult area to rivet without help. I tried to use a straight rivet set, which set the center rivet well, but its short so I could not reach the outer rivets. I tried to use double offset rivet set but the rivet wants to fold to the side. Had to drill them out a couple of times, at which point I gave up. I was fortunate to drill the shop heads off and punch the rivet shanks out which resulted in very clean holes still. I eventually bent the VS-705 up out of the way a bit, taped the short straight rivet set into the rivet gun, and set the rivets.

Note to self....Order a long straight rivet set. Would have saved much grief.

I then cleco'd the skin to the structure. Again...Like the first empennage, its very difficult to get the structure in place with minimal scraping to the skin. I did much better this time. 

Dimpled the VS#2 - 2.5 hours

Spent a few hours this evening dimpling the VS skin and rear spar. 

deburred and primed VS#2 - 3 hours

I deburred all the holes for the VS parts and primed them. 

This time I choose to modify my priming methods considerably. On the last empennage I primed everything with 2-part epoxy and it ended up noticeably heavier which did not sit well with me. Not to mention, I have learned lots about priming over the last year and felt this was a much better option for many reasons.

I've decided to use duplicolor self-etching primer. It's easier and cheaper to purchase. It also allows me easily touch-up any areas that I am working on. Much better than the two part stuff.

The 2-part epoxy covers the garage in an incredible amount of dust.

I live in a fairly dry area and intend the plane to be hanger'd, so the need for corrosion protection is considerably less than if I live near the coast or choose to keep it outside.

Did I mention weight? I have decided to only prime mating parts. The skins will be left nearly unprimed except where ribs and stiffeners meet. The result should be pretty light

Match Drilled VS#2 - 5 hours

Managed to fit up the Vertical stabilizer components and match drill the assembly. I countersunk the bottom holes on the doubler. This time, no screw-ups. Everything has been moving along nicely. 

HS#2 Rear spar and VS#2 - 6 hours

Started off the morning my match drilling the rear spar and the hinge brackets.  I notched the bottom of the flanges to help mark the parts orientation. I know that this area will be trimmed to fit the elevator horns so I thought it a good idea.

Once that was complete, I decided to jump over to the vertical stabilizer as I didn't want to get into the front spar fabrication just yet. I moved forward with the vertical stabilizer. I began fitting the doubler to the spar and the brackets.

HS#2 start - 6 hours

It took a bunch of time to move all the pieces from the garage and downstairs to the basement for storage. I decided to re-build the HS and VS while the processes and pitfalls are still fresh in my head. That way when I jump onto the wings my skills will be honed. I started in in the HS rear spar (and some of the other empennage parts that needed to be laid out and cut on the band saw) it's much easier and quicker to set up tools once and then do a selection of parts. I broke the edges of the HS rear spar parts and VS doubler. Nearly have the HS rear spar doublers matched drilled.