The Pedal Gee Bee

Time spent: 2.5 hours (evening)

I cut the eight pine nose plate leading edge pieces. These will be laminated to the nose plate to form a double layer. This double layer will then be sanded to a smooth curve to transition from the inside to the outside of the cowl. Visualizing how these pieces are going to go together you see that while the outside radius on the lowest layer needs to be right on, it’s really the inside radius that’s most critical. The lowest layer will meet up with the cowl ribs when their installed. However, inside the nose plate you’ll nee to true up all of the edges to a continual radius. So, be extra careful here in cutting to shape. Being a little too big isn’t a problem, since you can custom spot sand each piece as it goes on.

For added strength, use polyurethane glue. You’re going to be turning this thing in either a drill press or a lathe and sanding to form. You probably won’t be exerting a lot of pressure if you just sanding, but if you use any sort of lathe tools to speed up the process you don’t want it de-laminating as your turning. You’d probably have to build a new nose plate assembly if it comes apart that way, after you get back from the emergency room.

Glued up the other wheel cover assembly. Again, it was a sticky gooey mess but I’m certain that it isn’t going to come apart. When I’m bearing down with the belt sander and others I’ll be glad I glued it up so completely.