Comment

Comment by Robert Reinero on May 27, 2009 at 12:01pm

I used driven rivets, cheaper, stronger, less costly, and look good. Strike a center line on all parts, double check the position of all parts measure from the fire wall back if you are scratch building. The dimensions from the plans are not set up from a common datum. Adding up all the cumulative numbers can be confusing, they are usually measurements from the individual parts and not from a common datum or center line of rivets as they should be, That is the only gripe I have with the plans. I had the opuritunity to meet with Zenith at the Cloverdale fly in and told them the addition of a common datum to the plans, including butt lines and the water line for each component would save builders many ruined parts and a great deal of frustration.

Even though I am a scratch builder I have purchased some of the parts that are 12' long, ( too big for my 4' break, or need a press break to form. This has proved less expensive than building a part two or more times trying to get it right. If it is not exact toss it in the scrap bin. You will have a blast if you love to build things. I would like to build another, and may try the 750 next time the 701 is just too small for me at 6'2" and 225 Lbs.

If you are near San Diego you are welcome to come by and see the wings now under construction. I am just about ready to close up the second wing. I am fitting the fuel tank now, and boy is that an awkward job.

Comment by Danny Gibson on May 26, 2009 at 10:27pm

I started on the fuselage this Memorial weekend. Any words of wisdom? Yours looks great.