Big Day for Flying Steel

Saturday started with removing the covering from the side of the copula and getting the steel panel ready to be lifted in place.

I wire wheeled the panel and used a good primer to seal the areas that would be covered by the lip of the opening.

 

After priming the panel, we attached a hoist flange

 

We had the holes pre-punched in the panel. That was not the best idea.

Four holes lined up on the entire panel.

 

 

Thanks to George, We were able to not only place the east side panel but we were able to remove, prime the opening, and place the west side panel too.

George is a good friend.

 

 

Yes, I do windows

The next part of the project involved the windows, or two of them.
I have decided to continue to work toward sealing up the exterior and the three roof surfaces are complete,
Now I need to start working my way down.
The next major part will be the sides of the copula.

I spent a bunch of time removing the rivets from around the plate that the window was mounted to.
It was a time consuming process.
Each rivet had to be cut and then punched out.

 

The rot was too bad. We have to replace the steel around the window.

 

 

 

That window was heavy!

 

 

 

 

 

This piece of steel was a mess.

 

 

Time to cover this hole till later in the week

 

 

I put a few bolts in the skin because it was separating.

 

 

 

   

I was able to salvage the window frame. I removed all the rivets and patched the bottom where the rust was too bad.

 

 

Now I have started working my way down the side.

I will be replacing a portion of the roof too.

 

 I have gone through some cut off wheels.

 

What a mess.... but...not for long.