Kevin's Aviation WebsiteDedicated to Vari-Viggen's andFeaturing My Airplane Project - The GlassViggen |
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Builders Log - Bulkheads |
This section describes my workshop and stuff used to build the airplane.
| 03 JAN 06 (Tuesday) | I installed and setup my epoxy hotbox tonight. I started with a kitchen cabinet from home depot which just happened to be on sale for $25. Scratch and dent surplus. I mounted it to the wall and installed three low voltage halogen lights of the type used for under counter kitchen lighting. These put off quite a bit of heat and keep the inside temperature at the desired level of 90-95 degrees and have the added benefit of excellent lighting. I lined it with 1" insulating foam on all sides and the door. I installed a faom seal on the door using the 1/4" foam sealing tape found in home improvement stores to seal drafts in doors and windows. To control the temperature I decided to use a hot water heater thermostat . It is rated for 110V which is the input voltage for the lights and has a temperature range I can set to about 90 degrees F. I monitor the temperature using an indoor/outdoor thermometer. I placed the outdoor sending unit inside the cabinet between the epoxy jugs and attached the temperature indicator to the outside of the cabinet with a velcro attach tab. |
| 11 JAN 06 (Wednesday) | I received my first shipment of aircraft material from Wicks Aircraft Supply. It contained my epoxy, UNI and BID fabric and some misc. items. I realized after my inventory of the shipment that I forgot to order flox and micro. So I had to place another order to Wicks for the missing items. |
| 12 JAN 06 (Thursday) | Today I received my foam from Aircraft Spruce East. 4 sheets of ¼” 12x48 high density Last-A-Foam. I also spent the evening preparing my glass storage and vertical cutting table for installation of the BID and UNI rolls. |
| 13 JAN 06 (Friday) | This evening I poured the epoxy resin and hardener into the Epoxy Pump so it will warm up in the hotbox overnight. I received my shipment of flox and micro from Wicks. I'll never order something that small again if I can avoid it. An $8.00 order cost $8.00 for shipping. That effectively doubled the price of that purchase. I need to find a container for the flox and micro that I like. Also need a scoop or spoon to dip each product out for mixing. |
| 14 JAN 06 (Saturday) | I worked on two projects today. One was finishing the vertical glass cutting wall and the other was starting the installation of the shop vent fan. To complete the glass storage I cut and attached the ends of the glass hanging cabinet to the vertical cutting board and installed two hanging rods , one for a UNI roll and the other for a BID roll. Since the peel ply roll is very large (54") I am not sure what I'll do about it. For now it won't fit into the glass cabinet. The other project is the installation of a bathroom vent fan in my shop to remove fumes and provide a positive draw of air to cycle the air in order to prevent CO2 buildup and keep the epoxy fumes out of the house. I will be installing a 90 cfm Broan bathroom fan for ventilation. I started installation by cutting into the drywall and setting a switch box for the fan control. As for shopping, I purchased two small painters putty knives/blades to work epoxy. I also found some small little plastic mixing cups for very small batches of epoxy. |
| 15 JAN 06 (Sunday) | A very slow day today. I rested and spent time with my family. I did get some work done on the glass cabinet at the top of the vertical cutting board. I cut the top piece and installed blocks to serve as flanges that will support the top cover. I also decided to move the location of the vent fan to right over the hot box. Two reasons. First it will be in an easier location for installation, second the hot fumes from the hot box will rise straight up and be vented outside reducing vapor emissions indoors. I started installation of the fan by cutting into the drywall and setting a switch box. Next I opened up a section of wall over the power box. This allowed me to drill a hole through the stud and open the top of the power box and punch out one of the “knock-outs” in the the top. I can now wire from the power box to the switch. Next I'll need to open a section at the ceiling to run the fan power into the attic and over to the fan which still needs to be mounted. |
| 22 JAN 06 (Sunday) | Its been a week since I have been able to work in the shop due to flying and family commitments. Today I finished the physical installation of the shop vent fan. I still have to connect the wiring to the power box. I ended up locating the fan in the ceiling right over the hot box. I cut a hole in the ceiling and mounted the fan to a ceiling joist. I cut a hole in the side of the house to run a 4” vent to the outside. While cutting through the siding, my knife slipped and I cut my finger tip pretty good. I don't think it quit bleeding for about an hour. I finally wrapped it in papertowels and wound it tight with electrical tape so I could continue working. I ran the wiring from the switch box up through the ceiling and over to the fan unit through the attic. Tomorrow I hope to finish the wiring to the power box and check out my new vent fan. |
| 23 JAN 06 (Monday) | I finished the vent fan wiring tonight and it works great. No more epoxy fumes in the garage. Now on to the airplane. |