Prepping F-1215 Fuselage Ribs

In an effort to make some progress while the color choice for the interior paint is being finalized, work began on prepping the F-1215 fuselage ribs.  Prior to deburring, the F-1215 ribs required cutting and removing a metal strip that bridged one of the openings on the ribs. A cutting wheel could have been used … but the shop has a metal nibbling tool which has seen very little use since it was purchased in the 70’s, so thought this would be the perfect tool for cutting the metal strap.

Using a nibbling tool to cut away the metal strap bridging the opening in one of the F-1215 fuselage ribs.

The W-1215 rib on left has the strap … W-1215 rib on the right has the strap removed.

 

After the straps were removed from all the W-1215 ribs, each rib was filed smooth and given a final smoothing with the 1” Scotch-Brite wheel.

Using the 1” Scotch-Brite wheel to smooth the edges of a W-1215 fuselage rib.

 

Next up are the baggage compartment ribs which hopefully will get done tomorrow.