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02-25-2017, 04:41 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Marion, IN
Posts: 231
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Drill bits needed for the -14
Getting the tools together for my QB -14 kit which will arrive soon. I'm comparing the tool list on pages 03-02 through 03-04 of the plans with the list of Van's website ( http://vansaircraft.com/public/tools.htm). Quite a disparity there in the drill bits required. The website list seems quite limited in comparison and would seem to be insufficient (really, only five sizes?!).
__________________
Ray Dosh
LJ45 driver
RV-14 QB #140212
Tail feathers finished
Tail cone in progress
2020 DUES PAID
Marion, IN MZZ
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02-25-2017, 05:33 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,408
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Sizes that come to mind. #40, #30, #33 X 6" , #19,#20, #12, #27, 1/4" 3/16" , 5/16" and 3/8".
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Thanks Ron
RV-10 SOLD
RV-14 Flying
AirCam flying
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02-25-2017, 05:41 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,119
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Easy
I would just buy a number and fractional drill set to start. Then buy extras of the 5 sizes that are listed. But buy good quality sets.
You are going to need some smaller sizes as a guide hole when drilling out rivets and for tapping, etc
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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
Last edited by PilotjohnS : 02-25-2017 at 05:44 PM.
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02-25-2017, 06:03 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
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Hi Ray,
This is just a FWIW, but I limped along for decades with a very small set of bits, occasionally buying special purpose bits needed for various projects. I've always done my own auto, home, electronics, etc maintenance, and I've wasted a lot of time that way.
Not long after I started my -7, I discovered that Harbor Freight offers this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/115-pc-...set-61543.html
I've had that set for over a decade, and they stood up well drilling aluminum, until I started using the bits on really tough stuff like stainless and hardened steel, and for other 'odd jobs' around the house & hangar/shop.
Several years ago, I bought this set:
http://www.harborfreight.com/115-pc-...set-61886.html
I haven't used them a lot, but they do seem like pretty decent bits for the money.
I mention them because, especially with the less expensive set, you'll have any size you're likely to need for not much more money than buying ones & twos of specific bits.
For the highly repetitive jobs (#30 & #40, for instance), it's worthwhile to get a handful of quality bits from a reputable supplier, of course.
The inexpensive sets of 'step bits' from HF also do a decent job in aluminum sheet, and a tolerable job for those rare cases where you need a big hole in stainless (firewall, for instance).
Charlie
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02-25-2017, 06:25 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 414
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron B.
Sizes that come to mind. #40, #30, #33 X 6" , #19,#20, #12, #27, 1/4" 3/16" , 5/16" and 3/8".
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Plus 33, 34, 21, 1/8, 7/16, 17, I'm sure others
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RV14A #140083
Flying! 8/12/19
2019 Donation
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02-25-2017, 06:41 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Marion, IN
Posts: 231
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rv7charlie
For the highly repetitive jobs (#30 & #40, for instance), it's worthwhile to get a handful of quality bits from a reputable supplier, of course.
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I'm putting together a McMaster-Carr order and have a dozen of each in the shopping cart. May add a couple each of the sizes that others have mentioned. The second HF fractional & numbered set is a temptation as a good backup for other sizes, especially if I can use one of their coupons.
What's a good source for the 12" bits? McMaster has 12" fractional sizes but not numbered that I can find. Cleaveland doesn't show an image of their 12" bits. I'd prefer a long shank with a short drilling depth. Just seems to me that they would hold up better.
__________________
Ray Dosh
LJ45 driver
RV-14 QB #140212
Tail feathers finished
Tail cone in progress
2020 DUES PAID
Marion, IN MZZ
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02-25-2017, 07:16 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
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Reamers
I have the HF set. It works fine but the more heavily used bits have been replaced with higher quality bits. However, in my case, every hole is final drilled with a reamer. I highly recommend buying guide a reamer of the more commonly used sizes. #40, #30, #19, #12, 3/16", 1/4" and the oddball, .311".
__________________
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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02-25-2017, 09:14 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Granbury, TX
Posts: 268
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Maybe I drill out more rivets than most, but I also like a #43 for drilling AN3 rivets and #33 for drilling out AN4 rivets. (I drill the heads with #40/#30, snap them off with a punch, then drill the rivet shaft with #43/#33).
There are also call outs in the plans several others - #17 and #34 come to mind. The Harbor Freight set filled the need.
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Keith Brown
RV-14A Builder - kit #136
N314KC - First flight Mar 8, 2017, 24th in the air, >600 hrs
XP-400 Aero Sport Power, replaced with Lyc Thunderbolt 390
RV-6A sold
Sport Pilot (weight-shift control) - Airborne XT912
Dues paid 9/2020
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02-25-2017, 10:42 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,119
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Brown tools
Quote:
Originally Posted by SabreFlyr
I'm putting together a McMaster-Carr order and have a dozen of each in the shopping cart. May add a couple each of the sizes that others have mentioned. The second HF fractional & numbered set is a temptation as a good backup for other sizes, especially if I can use one of their coupons.
What's a good source for the 12" bits? McMaster has 12" fractional sizes but not numbered that I can find. Cleaveland doesn't show an image of their 12" bits. I'd prefer a long shank with a short drilling depth. Just seems to me that they would hold up better.
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Brown Tools ( A VAF advertiser) has all the different bits you would ever want. Try them.
__________________
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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02-26-2017, 06:11 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Marion, IN
Posts: 231
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Lots of good information here, guys. Thanks a bunch! Larry, thanks for the reamer idea. I've seen that mentioned before (perhaps by you). I'll look into it.
__________________
Ray Dosh
LJ45 driver
RV-14 QB #140212
Tail feathers finished
Tail cone in progress
2020 DUES PAID
Marion, IN MZZ
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