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10-16-2016, 07:41 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: California
Posts: 7
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About to start building an RV-14 in LA
We are about to start building an RV-14A in LA.
We already took the EAA Sheet Metal Basics Workshop and are clearing our garage to start with the empennage.
We are wondering what kind of workbench, compressor and initial tools to purchase.
Please provide any recommendations you might have.
Thank You!
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10-16-2016, 07:49 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,119
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Just starting too
I am just starting too but on a 9.
I bought a home depot 29 gal compressor and it is working out fine. If i am riveting it only comes on every few hours. Doesn t leak and comes ready to go. Truly plug and play ; except i modified the drain with a needle valve.
I would stay away from harbor frieght tools except for the simple hand tools. Cleveland and browns tools i found are good. Standard eaa work bench. See my blog. Good luck.
__________________
John S
WARNING! Information presented in this post is my opinion. All users of info have sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for their use.
Dues paid 2020, worth every penny
RV9A- Status:
Tail 98% done
Wings 98% done
Fuselage Kit 98% done
Finishing Kit 35% canopy done for now
Electrical 5% in work
Firewall Forward 5% in work
www.pilotjohnsrv9.blogspot.com
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10-16-2016, 10:02 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ponte Vedra, FL
Posts: 1,474
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The exception to the harbor freight tools for me is this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-buffer-94393.html
I use Scotchbrite wheel on both sides - easy to use on a stand. I started with a regular bench grinder but the longer mandrels on this one, and open access to the wheel make it more functional.
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10-16-2016, 10:19 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mturnerb
The exception to the harbor freight tools for me is this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-buffer-94393.html
I use Scotchbrite wheel on both sides - easy to use on a stand. I started with a regular bench grinder but the longer mandrels on this one, and open access to the wheel make it more functional.
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I agree. This is the perfect tool for scotchbrite wheels.
I actually have bought quite a few tools from HF over the years, but I am very selective.
We currently use one of their mechanics creepers in our shop (about 1 year old at this point) because no one else makes one like it. Holding up well so far even though the customer reviews were not stellar.
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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10-17-2016, 12:00 AM
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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!
Oscar,  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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10-17-2016, 04:37 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Gardnerville Nv.
Posts: 2,828
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saldarro
We are about to start building an RV-14A in LA.
We already took the EAA Sheet Metal Basics Workshop and are clearing our garage to start with the empennage.
We are wondering what kind of workbench, compressor and initial tools to purchase.
Please provide any recommendations you might have.
Thank You!
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A BIG hammer for the piggy bank  one tool I wish I had from the beginning is my band saw, its a Grizzly 555 bought it mid build, The 7a had a lot of little pieces that were needed to be fabricated from raw stock, the 14 may not need as much of this? Welcome to VAF!
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7A Slider, EFII Angle 360, CS, SJ.
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10-17-2016, 05:28 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Aiken, SC
Posts: 620
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I have found this tool from Harbor Freight to be very useful, and it is very well made:
http://t.harborfreight.com/power-too...der-43468.html
Get good air tools - drill(s), 2x and/or 3x Rivet guns, because you will use them constantly. Some folks swear by a pneumatic rivet squeezer, although I have found I can squeeze almost everything quite well and quickly with a Cleaveland Main Squeeze. It is good to have access to a buddy with a pneumatic squeezer for a few really long rivets.  . Also, a drill press is almost a necessity.
Have fun!
Last edited by MED : 10-17-2016 at 05:31 AM.
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10-17-2016, 06:54 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Auburn, AL
Posts: 200
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I bought my RV tool kit from Cleaveland and can not say enough great things about them! Outstanding customer service! And Mike has numerous videos on YouTube (search for Cleaveland tool) with tips and techniques for how to use these tools. I found them very helpful, especially as a beginner.
Also, I almost went with the main squeeze, but a friend talked me into upgrading to a pneumatic squeezer. I am so glad I did! That was very good advice, although to be fair I have never used the main squeeze.
As for HF, I bought:
Die grinder
Drill press
Band saw
HVLP gun (for priming)
Nitrile gloves.
All work just fine for the money.
__________________
Steve T.
CFII/MEI/ATP 737,DC-10
RV-7 slow build
AUO
Last edited by RV74ME : 10-17-2016 at 07:01 AM.
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10-17-2016, 07:23 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Covid Country-SoCal
Posts: 1,081
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saldarro
We are about to start building an RV-14A in LA.
We already took the EAA Sheet Metal Basics Workshop and are clearing our garage to start with the empennage.
We are wondering what kind of workbench, compressor and initial tools to purchase.
Please provide any recommendations you might have.
Thank You!
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Where will you be building? I have a nice work bench I'm willing to donate if you are close to LGB.
-Marc
__________________
RV-10
N814RV
2020 Donation Made
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10-17-2016, 02:15 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: CZBA, ON Canada
Posts: 193
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I'm about 2/3rd's of the way through the "tin work" on my 14A and I personally would recommend passing on the pneumatic squeezer and put the money towards extra yokes. I had a pneumatic squeezer from Avery and sold it here a few months back as I found it to be more bother to set up than time saved. I really like the manual control of the Cleaveland main squeezer.
Cleaveland dies are excellent quality and well worth the money. Get yourself a second set of economy dies from the Yard Store or ATS that you can grind for those "interesting" rivets that you bump into.
I bought a "Sears" professional 27 Gal compressor at one of their sales and it has been good to date. Got it for $249! Never had an issue of running out of air and it uses a 110V 20A circuit. Use it for air tools and spraying primer.
Other misc tools that I've found handy (mainly from Cleaveland tools):
- both std and 12" back rivet set
-12" double offset back rivet set
- Back rivet bucking bar
- both edge forming and edge rolling tools
- tungsten bucking bar (soooo nice!)
- std and cheapo Countersinks cages (so you can modify)
-close quarters rivet pulling wedge
For my workbench, basically 2 EAA table on casters. I added a shelf 8" below top to store skins so they won't get damaged.
I try to add a tool or two every month that helps with the phase of build I'm working on and it's worked quite well. Also watch for used stuff for sale here on VAF. Lots of deals if you watch and wait! Don't forget the occasional set of flowers for the Missus .... really helps when the Visa bill shows up!
Good luck with your build. It a great experience!!!
Jim
__________________
RV 14A
Serial 140118
Donation - 2020 gladly done!
Last edited by Driving '67 : 10-17-2016 at 02:29 PM.
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