Elevator Hinge Layout Tool
In this post I’m going to show you what we did to make a tool to help us ensure that we have the elevator hinge bracket bolt holes in proper alignment. The alignment for the elevator hinges is completely based upon the center bellcrank. Because the bellcrank is a machined part, this is something that cannot be changed and therefore all other hinge measurements need to be made off this part.
From the center, we work outward to the elevator mid-span hinges then will finally end with the outer hinges.
To start, we took a piece of oak and marked the center line. We also inserted the necessary spacers to ensure that it was level with the elevator spar web and then clamped it in place (while in line with the elevator spar center line).
In the picture above you can see how the tool lines up directly on the elevator spar center line. On the back side of the elevator bellcrank, we marked the point where the hinge bolt hole is against the side of the wooden tool.
The wood piece was then removed, clamped in the drill press and we drilled a hole to accept the hinge bolt size. We took a spare bolt, cut off the head and then glued it in place with some quick setting epoxy.
In the picture below you can see the finished tool.
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