Footbox Panel Alignment & Installation - What am I missing?

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

Hi. My kit will be ready 10/21 and I just took the class.

This is a difficult question to put in writing so I apologize if it's not clear.

I keep thinking, how do you align the footbox panels to each other and have all the drilled holes from the different panels and frame line up correctly?

I am thinking, okay, I can drill the top panel on a work bench. But how do I hold the panels in place and drill the holes on the panel edge flange of another panel that underlaps the panel I drilled on the bench? And the holes on the frame? I can't cleco the pieces together without first drilling all the holes. What am I missing?

Thank you for your tips!

[65 Cobra Dude]

Cleckos are your friend! You mark the panels with a marker from underneath. Then, drill the holes on the panel and place back on and drill the second panel. I use cleckos to hold them while drilling the other holes. Then take them apart, clean out the boogers, silicone where they meet, put back on with cleckos and take one out at a time to replace with a rivet.

[Norm B]

As stated “Clecos”
Like this.

Norm

[edwardb]

It will make a lot more sense when you have the kit. Don't stress about it. Follow the panel sequence in the build manual. It all comes together fine. And yes, Cleco's are your friend. Hopefully you have some.

[jrcuz]

Does taking the class mean "Build School" and are they not using clecos there?

[cc2Arider]

In the build school, they tend to use the same chassis over and over until all the panels are completely drilled out ;)

So, depending on when your class is scheduled with the status of the chassis/panels rivets, some of the panels may already be in place for the remainder of the drilling/riveting...

Craig C

[Mat1asBEV&ICE]

That's correct, build school. All the panels were already drilled.

I guess my question is kind of a chicken and the egg dilemma. Use clecos to align the panels for drilling, but you need to drill holes before you can use clecos. :) I do have clecos already.

[cc2Arider]

As Paul said, it's not something to stress about. If you trust the panel alignment as-delivered, the speed screws will hold them in place. I've got a variety of various clamps that I've gathered over the years for home maintenance projects that worked out well. I also use several C-shaped Vise-Grip-type clamps useful for welding...and of course the Clecos ;)

Craig C