Before countersinking holes in an assembly, what should you do with the countersink depth?

Setting the countersink depth in a scrap assembly is essential to ensure accuracy and consistency before proceeding with the actual assembly. This practice allows for testing and calibration without risking any damage or errors to the final product. By using a scrap piece, you can evaluate the effect of the countersink depth, ensuring that it achieves the correct angle and depth to accommodate the fastener properly.

Using a scrap assembly also provides the opportunity to make adjustments and fine-tune your technique based on the results without compromising the quality of the assembly ultimately being worked on. This preventative step is integral to maintaining high standards in aerospace manufacturing, as it minimizes the risk of having to redo work or the potential failure of critical components in the finished assembly.