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Old 09-19-2006, 11:04 AM   #1
Chopper
3 Rivet Member
Profile:  1976 26' Argosy 26
St. Albert , Alberta
Posts: 136

Cutting the Argy skin

Hi,

I'm about to put enlarge the old hotwater tank opening and replace it with a "baggage panel door". How do I make a clean opening in the aluminum? I'm thinking that I can use tin snips to make the rough opening, then a small grinder to clean up the edges?

Cheers!
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Old 09-19-2006, 11:17 AM   #2
CanoeStream
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Profile:  2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud , Minnesota
Posts: 7,236
Images: 13

From another post of mine in the past:
You will want to get a 12" clearance strap duplicator. This will let you accurately drill a rivet hole in new belly skin or banana wrap, so that the hole is located over the underlying hole in frame or skin that you want to rivet together. Go to http://www.aircraft-tool.com/ecatalog.htm and see .... darn, there's no page number. It's and Adobe Acrobat document. Click the binocular 'search' icon and enter: 62-12 -- You do want the strap duplicator for #30 twist drills since this is what you'll use most often (just ream out afterward with a #21 drill if setting a 5/32" rivet). This is the handiest tool ever and you can thank Forums member markdoane from Minnetonka for the idea.

Snipping metal shears (you won't want scissor type metal shears from the hardware store!). In the http://www.aircraft-tool.com/ecatalog.htm catalog again, search on: Jilson Supersnip -- I haven't needed a 2nd blade by any means -- the original is enough. I also don't know enough to recommend the cheaper one on the same page. These shears are time consuming but reasonable unless you have air tools already. I would use a hand tool like this for such a small job (ie, a single trailer). You won't be asking "why not" on tin snips after you see the undistorted smooth edge these produce! Good tools make good trailers/aircraft!!
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Old 09-19-2006, 11:41 AM   #3
Chopper
3 Rivet Member
Profile:  1976 26' Argosy 26
St. Albert , Alberta
Posts: 136

Thanks Canoestream

I should be searched harder before asking the question. I came upon your earlier post while I surfed around during my "coffee break". Really, this is work


Cheers!
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