Finished Rear Spar

Spent a few hours today before work in the shop. Got my new torque wrench. Seems like a high quality tool. I had some old AN bolts and nuts from my Citabria so clamped one in a vice and practiced torqueing it to get a feel for the wrench torque release point. Then bolted on the center hinge assembly to the rear spar to 42 in/lbs per Vans guidance in 5.20. I had sent an email to Van's tech support inquiring about torque values for the 2 recessed machine screws holding the rudder counterweight. No value was directed in the plans. They replied that the AN509 screws are equivalent to the AN3 bolts used on the hinge and to torque to same value. I need to figure out the friction torque on those screws to add to the 20-25 in/lb value needed. For that I'll need a small beam type torque wrench. Fortunately they're pretty cheap on Amazon. I also started prep on the front spar and doubler plate.