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  #11  
Old 08-08-2017, 06:01 AM
Tom Martin Tom Martin is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,544
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I have found that teenagers, with the right attitude, make excellent helpers when riveting. Their hands are nimble and they learn fast, really fast. Trade some riveting time for flight hours later!
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  #12  
Old 08-08-2017, 06:08 AM
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N282S N282S is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Topeka
Posts: 323
Default Help needed

I had to have my wife and neighbor help me in a few places here and there.
I'm thinking you won't need help at all.

Enjoy the build. They are amazing airplanes.
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  #13  
Old 08-08-2017, 06:26 AM
BillL BillL is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
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That Mustang is a massive project! Well done. So, if you can do that, the airplane should not be much different. I am a solo builder and have enlisted a friend to drive and buck rivets for many areas where one person can not do the job. You will find a few more, but would still need the friend like we all did. Find someone as meticulous as yourself and you will have no problems. They will get hooked!

Check out the main squeeze - rivet squeezer from Cleaveland Tools. It is a geared tool and with a strong grip should work nicely.

Hope to see your build posted here!!
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  #14  
Old 08-08-2017, 06:27 AM
Robert Anglin Robert Anglin is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: houston, texas
Posts: 900
Default Yes.

Yep, it can be done. You may need to figure some things out and how to adapt to getting them done and yes you will need a little help from time to time. The new pre-punched units are far easier to put together. The older kits "not saying my age" and all the holes we drilled did take some time and planning along with a jig or two. We have the "X" chairman of the Disabled Vets on our field. He has restored an Aerocoup from the ground up and maintains his C-182 by him self. I am constantly humbled by what can be done with the will and drive to do it. He does have a nice girl friend that likes to help and that does seem to make things go better.
I hope this helps, Yours most gratefully, R.E.A. III #80888
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  #15  
Old 08-08-2017, 06:50 AM
rv7charlie rv7charlie is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
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Most homebuilders look for any excuse to buy another tool, and many of us will make a tool that fits the job. Ever read any Robert Heinlein? The protagonist in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a one-armed computer tech who has built multiple arms for various purposes. Make us jealous! Build the attachments you need. :-)

Seriously, you'll almost certainly find people willing to help when you absolutely must have another hand, and that happens with some tasks whether you have all both arms or not. I got help with my slow-build wings from a student at the local A&P school, who wanted some extra experience with sheet metal work, but almost anyone can learn to drive/buck rivets, and the other stuff is mostly just extra muscle.

Welcome to the club.

Charlie
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  #16  
Old 08-08-2017, 07:00 AM
ty1295 ty1295 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Jeffersonville, IN
Posts: 393
Default

I would venture to say the biggest hurdle to building an airplane is mental, and you are by far more equipped to build an airplane mentally than 99% of us, including those that have done so already.
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  #17  
Old 08-08-2017, 08:10 AM
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bkervaski bkervaski is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 1,643
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ty1295 View Post
I would venture to say the biggest hurdle to building an airplane is mental, and you are by far more equipped to build an airplane mentally than 99% of us, including those that have done so already.
This x 100!
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  #18  
Old 08-08-2017, 08:25 AM
theman1990 theman1990 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Tampa
Posts: 8
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Thanks everyone! I'll definitely take people up on help if the are local... I suppose I should clarify in "is it possible in reasonable time" I know it's possible but I also don't want a 10000 hour project!! We shall see I have a g/f who is eager to help and a few friends to con into it, too...

As for the other areas where two handed dexterity is a must (wiring etc), I've built harnesses etc already using just the hand and a hook, you'd be surprised. There were a lot of time where I used toes to hold stuff when building the car. People would wonder why I worked on it in flip flops.....
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  #19  
Old 08-08-2017, 09:41 AM
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N941WR N941WR is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 12,887
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Get ahold of your local EAA chapter and ask someone to give you a riveting lesson with scrape aluminum.

You will find that riveting is easy, just a lot of "easy". You may have a machinist adapt your prosthesis to a bucking bar to make it easier. Heck, even with two arms, I sometimes had to have my wife, who has very small hands, do some task for me.

Good luck with your build! Attitude is everything!
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  #20  
Old 08-08-2017, 09:52 AM
greghughespdx's Avatar
greghughespdx greghughespdx is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Aurora, OR
Posts: 843
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Quote:
Originally Posted by theman1990 View Post
Thanks everyone! I'll definitely take people up on help if the are local... I suppose I should clarify in "is it possible in reasonable time" I know it's possible but I also don't want a 10000 hour project!! We shall see I have a g/f who is eager to help and a few friends to con into it, too...

As for the other areas where two handed dexterity is a must (wiring etc), I've built harnesses etc already using just the hand and a hook, you'd be surprised. There were a lot of time where I used toes to hold stuff when building the car. People would wonder why I worked on it in flip flops.....
Go for it, thank you for your service, and be sure to post photos of your build as you go! I for one am excited already to see it.
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