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  #71  
Old 05-16-2017, 12:47 PM
TruTrakAndrew's Avatar
TruTrakAndrew TruTrakAndrew is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by epaslick View Post
Jim has that 12 now, doesn't he? I've seen it at the 732 Chapter meetings (those few I'm actually able to make). Thank you, I will take you up on that as soon as my schedule allows!
Yes, Jim has it now. Just give us a shout and let us know when you can make it over.
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  #72  
Old 05-16-2017, 01:12 PM
subpar_bucker subpar_bucker is offline
 
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I thought of one more suggestion. After cleco'ing every thing together are you reaming with a #30 ream the holes to final size before you try to rivet them? I had to do that for every hole so far on my RV-12. Once the holes are reamed getting the two parts to mate successfully typically can be done by simply squeezing them together with my fingers. I did have to use clamps on the bracket that attaches to the nose ribs on the flaperons to get those pieces to mate successfully.
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  #73  
Old 05-16-2017, 07:35 PM
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madmaveric madmaveric is offline
 
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I've had a few times where it all seems a little too much. Mainly when things go wrong or you just don't seem to be making any forward progress. I'm getting closer to the end of my build but still wonder sometimes if i will be able to finish it.

Sometimes a break helps, sometimes just talking it over with someone can put it in perspective (here or elsewhere). I'd avoid talking to non builders about it though as most will think you are mad and attempting the impossible so won't always give helpful advice.
If you get to the point of giving up/selling etc, I would suggest having a break for a couple of weeks before doing anything as it normally passes after a while.

As for the rivets I had some issues with them expanding in the middle of two parts and used a similar method as mentioned above (with the tubing) but using tap washers (all I had at the time).
The main things when squeezing is to keep the parts together and the squeezer flush, and not to over squeeze/use too long a rivet as it can cause the parts to bow away from each other (especially on bearing brackets).
Below is a picture of my 'tap washer' being used, This time I have the squeezer in a vice rather than the parts (I often find it is easier that way round, especially for nutplates and dimpling). The tubing will be easier to squeeze and it will also stay on and hold the rivet in place, the washer has a tendency to drop on the floor just when you have everything setup, and you can bet when you are bending down to pick them up the rivet drops out as you nudge it with your arm, oh and you will hit your head on something when standing back upright, but that is the fun of building :P


As for space I find it slows the build down a lot and can be very frustrating but has the added bonus that not only are you building an aircraft yourself (something everyone should be proud of) you are also doing it in harder conditions than most so it adds to the achievement as well as the frustration.

If you can get an hour with an existing builder/inspector you will learn more in that time than weeks of going through it on your own, I would highly recommend it if you get the opportunity.
I was lucky enough to do a LAA 'working with aluminium' one day course here in the uk (run by other builders) and I believe that saved me 50-100 hours of building time at least (as you get tips that will cut down on the reworking time).
That said I have lost count of the number of rivets I have had to drill out, normally when tired or rushing but luckily I have managed to avoid too many replacement parts so far.
You will screw up some more stuff before it is over, but you will learn the skills to fix it on here or elsewhere which will pay off even after you have finished.
Everyone goes though up and downs during building. Remember you are building an aircraft which is a big undertaking.
But it's like the old question 'how do you eat an elephant'.
...
'One mouthful at a time'.
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  #74  
Old 05-18-2017, 09:44 AM
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LettersFromFlyoverCountry LettersFromFlyoverCountry is offline
 
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One of the things I've noticed -- often while crying -- is it's REALLY different building an RV-12 compared to the RV-7 because the aluminum we're working with is so thin.

I've never been real good at drilling out rivets and with the thin aluminum, it can be problematic doing so.

I have really had to work at going slower and considering lots of thing about the work and what I'm about to do on this kit than the 7. It's a good habit to get into, I acknowledge, but I feel so much more pressure not to make a mistake than I ever did with the "7"
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  #75  
Old 05-19-2017, 11:05 PM
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epaslick epaslick is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LettersFromFlyoverCountry View Post
One of the things I've noticed -- often while crying -- is it's REALLY different building an RV-12 compared to the RV-7 because the aluminum we're working with is so thin.
My first practice kit (before I started the 12) was the mini-stabilizer piece. I'm doing the tool box now. The material on both is much thicker than the 12, and I've not had much if any problem with either. This reinforces my thinking that my problem is the thin material on the 12. A previous post talked about acquiring thin aluminum sheets to practice with and I think that I should do that.
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  #76  
Old 05-20-2017, 12:47 PM
David Paule David Paule is offline
 
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That's roughly what I did. I made a channel with 2" web height, 5/8" flanges from some .032. And then I cut some strips of .025 and riveted them to the channel's flanges. The sizes and shapes are roughly typical of my RV-3B project.

Then I unriveted many of the rivets (good practice for that) and reriveted them.

This helped me a great deal.

Later, after I'd scrapped so many parts that I was able to retire the practice channel, I had real (if botched) parts to play with. Also, I had things to let visitors try their hand at.

Dave
RV-3B, now skinning the fuselage
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  #77  
Old 05-20-2017, 02:26 PM
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Jetguy Jetguy is offline
 
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Eric, consider taking a Sport workshop when one is near you. Here is the web site.
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-...kshop-schedule

Also there is a wealth of info in shot videos at the EAA web site. Here is the link.
http://eaavideo.org

Watch a few every week to increase your knowledge. Good Luck!
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  #78  
Old 05-21-2017, 02:29 PM
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epaslick epaslick is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetguy View Post
Eric, consider taking a Sport workshop when one is near you. Here is the web site.
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-...kshop-schedule

Also there is a wealth of info in shot videos at the EAA web site. Here is the link.
http://eaavideo.org

Watch a few every week to increase your knowledge. Good Luck!
I did go over the EAA Workshop schedule a little while back but the only sheet metal workshop is literally in two weeks(June 5th), during my work week.

There are sheet metal workshops at AirVenture, and I'll stop by one of those.
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EAA Chapter 732
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Sonerai IIL N968KB Flying
RV-12 #120991
History's slowest RV-12 build
Empennage: In work
N62EP Reserved
2019 Donation Made
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  #79  
Old 05-21-2017, 04:27 PM
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The 2-day EAA course will be much more comprehensive .. I did it and while it didn't fully prepare me it definitely got me going.

The #1 skill needed? Van's phone number to order replacement parts
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  #80  
Old 05-26-2017, 04:58 AM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
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I had no experience with solid rives when I bought my 12 kit. The EAA course was invaluable. Up until that time my projects had been fiberglass, tube and rag or wood.
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