Adam Dickson

Completion of wing rib deburring and edge smoothing

Used 3M scotchbrite light deburring wheel (grey) in place of cloth wheel and Tripoli compound. Those ribs buffed with Tripoli (mainly flaps, ailerons) were all cleaned with degreaser and where possible in the ultrasonic cleaner, as this material tends to cling to the aluminium.

All notches between rib flanges smoothed with 600 grit, sometimes 400 grit. The semi-circular notches between rib flanges were all smoothed with 600 grit paper, first with a linear motion perpendicular to the flange. This provided confirmation of removal of any remaining Tripoli compound and any roughness from the punching operation. The 600 grit was (wrapped around a 1/8" drill bit shaft) then twirled in each notch to ensure any scratch marks from the sanding would follow the semi-circular curve (rather than be cross-ways). This is believed to minimise the chance of crack growth.

This post is from Adam Dickson