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08-14-2016, 01:28 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Ireland
Posts: 8
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RV-7A empennage
Hi Folks Im new to the Site
Basically Im from Ireland and Currently in the process of ordering a Empennage kit for a 7a
Could any one with some time give me a list of the heavier tools needed so I can start Immediately, A band Saw is a Must from what i read?
Cheers in advance for any comments
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08-14-2016, 01:43 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Socal
Posts: 453
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A band saw is nice to have. I started without one, but your life is much easier with a band saw. Pneumatic cleco gun is a must in my book, they are fairly cheap and well worth it. And a bench grinder for your scotchbrite wheel. A drill press is nice and make alot of thing easier, but I wouldnt say is a "must". but if you have the money i'd buy one.
The "RV tool kit" from Browns tools is pretty complete and pretty good. I'd imagine other rv tool kits are about the same.
My advise is plan ahead and build you work bench and figure out how you want to organize tools and parts.
__________________
RV-8 N695RA flying
Working on an RV-4
Born to fly, forced to work
Last edited by Robin8er : 08-14-2016 at 01:54 PM.
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08-14-2016, 03:46 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 774
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Although I have times when I would like a band saw, I've finished my empennage, wings and halfway through the fuselage without one. Often you just want to take your time and make your cuts accurate with a hacksaw or dremil. As far as heavy tools go, I think more important is a bending brake, as Van's has you tweak or bend quite a few components, a belt sander with disc face and quick change velcro sanding discs (120 grit), a bench grinder with medium scotchbrite wheel (as already mentioned), and a drill press. Also, along the heavy line is the C-frame dimpler of which you can just order the head and weld up the rest yourself (I have a distinct preference for the DRDT2 lever version over the ones you hit with a hammer) and finally a back rivet plate, which you should be able to purchase from a local steel supplier, then polish to a smooth finish. I could only purchase mine by the meter (it is 100mmx18mmx1m) however I am happy it is this big as it makes some of the back riveting much easier. Also, as a final bit of advice, get the best rivet gun you can afford (3x) but don't worry about the fancy air drill. I have one and don't use it, as it's a pain dragging around an air line all the time (and having the compressor running). I find good cobalt bits with a Makita 10.8V lithium, and a Makita 18V lithium for countersinking work are quite adequate and far more handy.
Tom.
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08-14-2016, 04:12 PM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Welcome to VAF!
Quote:
Originally Posted by RV7a Newbie
Hi Folks Im new to the Site
Basically Im from Ireland and Currently in the process of ordering a Empennage kit for a 7a
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David, welcome aboard the good ship VAF
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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08-14-2016, 05:11 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Wray, Co
Posts: 587
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Tool
Not considered a heavy tool, but my titanium bucking bar was invaluable for riveting.
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08-14-2016, 05:34 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Posts: 1,475
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwarre
Not considered a heavy tool, but my titanium bucking bar was invaluable for riveting.
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Tungsten? Titanium is light!
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08-14-2016, 05:36 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Posts: 1,475
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwarre
Not considered a heavy tool, but my titanium bucking bar was invaluable for riveting.
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Do you mean tungsten?
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08-14-2016, 08:46 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
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Welcome
Welcome.
+1 what others said.
__________________
Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
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08-15-2016, 03:27 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 2,692
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I think power tool selection is a never ending debate candidate.
A 6" bench grinder with scotchbrite wheel. While this could be skipped, it is a very basic and constantly used tool. I think it is expected that all builders have this.
Air compressor. Anything will work but there are differences in performance. "oil-less" are usually noisy enough to be undesireable. HP rating is going to be a selection depending how impatient you are. You will have to wait for small HP compressors to catch up when using air tools.
A drill press (bench model is fine). Try to get one with slowest low speed as possible. This also could be skipped, but there is a safety aspect when cutting large holes with a fly cutter and a hand drill motor. Secondarily, accuracy and perpendicularity of holes are sometimes important.
DRDT-2. While not a power tool, It is pricey. I would put it ahead of the sander and band saw.
Bench mounted Belt/disc sander. I did not have one of these however if I built again I would get one (and before the band saw).
Band Saw. I did not have one during the build. For the few pieces that needed sawing, I used a hack saw. Either way, the part should be filed to final shape so the cutting method is not highly relevant. Saw usage is higher during fuselage construction compared to tail or wing. Quickbuild folks will hit this earlier than standard build folks.
__________________
Bill Pendergrass
ME/AE '82
RV-7A: Flying since April 15, 2012. 850 hrs
YIO-360-M1B, mags, CS, GRT EX and WS H1s & A/P, Navworx
Unpainted, polished....kinda'... Eyeballin' vinyl really hard.
Yeah. The boss got a Silhouette Cameo 4 Xmas 2019.
Last edited by rzbill : 08-15-2016 at 03:30 AM.
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08-15-2016, 04:30 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Ireland
Posts: 8
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Super thanks
Cheers Everyone
Im definitely gona kit out my workspace first..Some good tips, Some shelving definitely a good idea to keep the parts organised and also visible
Thanks again
Looking forward to annoying ye all with curious questions!
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