7/12/2006
Tonight I deburred and dimpled the top skin holes and deburred the edges. I started countersinking the holes in the middle skins along the upper longeron but the pilot broke off of my only #40 countersinking bit after about 10 holes. I don't plan to rivet the top skin until late in the project so this step can wait for now.
I drilled the 7/16" holes for the landing gear legs and then flipped the fuselage. I was able to do this by myself with no hassles and without injuring my back thanks to the a-frame setup. The strap rides on a pulley. Surprisingly, by propping the tail spring on a padded stand the fuselage was balanced well enough and there was enough friction in the strap/pulley setup that I was very easily able to stop at any point. Even so, I am glad this step is over.