Another RV-7 Started

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Eric. I am in the final stages of getting my PPL, I have the hours just need to take the tests. I was planning on waiting until I got my PPL to start building but was in Oregon for business and visited Vans Aircraft.

I have always enjoyed building things, I have a background in machining and metal fabrication. I haven't worked with sheet metal or driven rivets but with some experience it shouldn't be a problem.

I built the tool box and two of the control surface practice kits with reasonable results. I started the horizontal stabilizer but I would like to connect with local RV builders to gain some experience and more confidence. I have a mill, lathe and welding equipment so I might be able to offer something in the way of trade for some help / guidance.

Anyway just wanted to say hello and share a few pictures of the shop and progress with the horizontal stabilizer.

Eric

Dryden Michigan

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r79mg5dliyrqk0a/IMG_2325.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xmkbphb7alveill/IMG_2328.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qdrt7azr0sks9ak/IMG_2331.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/x98flqgowmfvl6q/IMG_2335.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6k6id6bb03a6kh2/IMG_2337.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ijjl0ui33mbhqsl/IMG_2338.JPG?dl=0

Hey! welcome to the club! enjoy your journey, lots of talent here, just ask and you will receive many answers to almost anything.

Hi Eric,

I'm at Brighton Airport (45G) a bit over an hour's drive southwest of you. if you want some riveting practice, I have a bucket full of scrap aluminum we can practice on with a the gun and bar, and both hand and pneumatic squeezers.

I have a couple of fuselage brackets to fab out of 3/16 6061-T6 angle that might be good mill projects...

My contact info is in the VAF White Pages.

PS: Good luck with the PPL!

Enjoy! And have fun along the way. This place has such knowledgeable, nice, caring and wonderful people to help you along the way.

Keep us updated on your progress if you can.

Congratulations

Congratulations Eric
One piece of advise. You can't possibly build a quality airplane in such a clean shop!
Build on.

Thanks for the offer Longranger. PM sent.

What type of work are you doing with the your band saw? I have a horizontal band saw for cutting material to length but not a vertical band saw.

I have been trying to decide if it is worth getting a vertical as well. Its not something I would use very often for other projects but if it saved time it might be worth it.

Eric,

I use my Craftsman vertical band saw mostly for cutting angle stock to length, which your horizontal saw will do just as well. Occasionally I do cut odd shapes out of 0.063 sheet (too thick for my hand shears) and the vertical saw comes in handy for that, but you probably could get away with using a jig saw or coping saw for that work (or a CNC mill...).

Howdy neighbor

Hello Eric,

That shop looks amazing, I like it. Great place to build that 7.

I am located just the other side of Hadley from you. My 7 is based here at home in the summer and Lapeer in the winter. There are a few of us in the area with RV's flying. Perhaps you will need a 'motivational flight' at some point.

Hello John,

Thanks for the compliment on the shop.

I am planning on keeping my rv7 at Lapeer when finished. I have flown into Lapeer a couple of times and it looks like a nice small airport. Plus it is 15 minutes from my house.

I was at Vans during airventure so I didn't don't get to take a test flight but I will be going back there in a few weeks.

I would definitely take someone up on a offer for a ride. I'm more than happy to fill up their tanks.

Wow, what a shop!