April 4, 2008 - More Spinnder Backplate
 Using the double ring as a template, I drew with a Sharpie what I needed to cut out. 
    
Bruce had bought this Rodman "Nibbler" tool at Sun 'N Fun.  Since the spinner bulkhead is fairly thick -- .063 -- I figured it might be just the thing for this particular job.  It goes into the drill like a regular bit. 
    
To get the feel for the tool, I started with the interior holes.  I will say the Rodman Nibbler cuts through .063 aluminum like a hot knife through butter.
    
With the Unibit, I drilled 1/2" holes around the perimeter. 
    

I found that the problem with the Nibblerwas that I could not use it for precise work -- to cut right along the line.  You really couldn't see where it was cutting very well, and it made a course cut -- 3/16" wide.  So I had to cut well within the line.  Which leaves me with a couple of hours of filing to do. 

I gotta laugh when I read on the VAF forum about new builders buying expensive tools like the DRT-2 and pneumatic dimplers, thinking it's going to save them all this time.  Compared to me with my C-Frame and Main Squeeze hand-squeezer, those tools probably save a grand total of three hours -- over the life of the entire project!  I just spent more than that on the spinner bulkhead assembly.  My point is, the time savings are insignificant.  If you are a first-time builder and aren't building at an airport with a bunch of experienced builders around to help and advise you, the real time-consumer is figuring out what to do.   

    
 
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